Market Introduction
Ice cream, a sweet frozen delicacy, is usually prepared from cream or milk and sweetened with sugar, corn syrup, or artificial sweetening agents. It is added with flavoring agents such as vanilla and cocoa to impart characteristic flavors. Ice creams became more common after the development of cold warehouses, and HVAC and refrigeration systems. The burgeoning popularity of ice cream has led to the introduction of a number of variations, including frozen yogurt, frozen custard, and non-dairy versions made with ingredients such as coconut milk. Ice creams with less than 10% milk fat content are classified as ice milk and widely known as low fat ice cream. Ice creams with high milk fat content have a smoother texture and rich appearance as they contain low water content and a fewer ice crystals.
Market Overview and Dynamics
The UAE ice cream market is projected to reach US$ 157.46 million by 2028 from US$ 126.21 million in 2021; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.2% from 2021 to 2028. Ice-cream is one of the favorite frozen desserts in the UAE owing to the subtropical arid climate in the country with long hot summers and briefly warm winters, and thus, it is consumed throughout the year by expatriates, tourists, and locals. The consumption is further likely to increase with the entry of multinational ice-cream manufacturers such as Mars GCC and Unilever Middle East. A large number of ice-cream manufacturers have been instrumental in introducing new ice-cream varieties and flavors. Moreover, the growth of the tourism sector and restaurant businesses is also expected to support the growth of the ice-cream market in the country.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on UAE Ice Cream Market
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected economies and industries in various countries due to lockdowns, travel restrictions, and business shutdowns. The UAE also implemented a country-wide lockdown that resulted in the shutdown of restaurants, malls, retail outlets, and manufacturing plants, which adversely affected the food & beverage industry, including the ice cream production. Moreover, there has been an increase in panic buying and confusion among the consumers amid the pandemic, which disrupted the standard demand estimations of food and beverage products in the UAE. The demand for long-shelf-life products gained ~20–25% while categories such as ice cream and confectionaries experienced a decline of 30–35%. The economy is recovering with the relaxations in lockdown, and reopening of supermarkets, malls, and other retail outlets. Moreover, various ice cream manufacturing companies are also resuming operations in the UAE.
Key Market Segments
Based on type, the UAE ice cream market is further segmented into impulse ice cream, take-home ice cream, and artisanal ice cream. In 2021, the impulse ice cream segment dominated the market. Impulse ice cream varieties are almost always bought on a whim or at the spur of a moment. They are a single-serve ice cream purchased for immediate consumption. They can be readily consumed without the need for portioning or preparation. Impulse ice creams include ice cream cones, ice cream sandwiches, chocolate coated ice creams, and single serve ice cream tubs that are sold in individual packages, while the traditional ice cream products such as ball in the wafer are sold without packages. Impulse ice creams segment dominates the ice cream market owing to its high popularity among individuals of all age groups. They offer the convenience of eating ice cream whenever and wherever one wants.
Major Sources and Companies Listed
Key players operating in the UAE ice cream market include Desert Chill; Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc.; General Mills Inc.; IFFCO Group; Maras Turka; MARS Incorporated; MINI Melts Inc.; Nestlé S.A.; Pure Ice Cream Co. LLC.; and Unilever.
Reasons to Buy Report
- To understand the UAE ice cream market landscape and identify segments that are most likely to guarantee a strong return
- To comprehend the ever-changing competitive landscape of the market
- To efficiently plan merger and acquisition, and partnership deals in the market by identifying segments with the most promising probable sales
- To take knowledgeable business decisions from perceptive and comprehensive analysis of market performance of various segments
- To obtain revenue forecast for the market based on various segments from 2019 to 2028
Based on type, the UAE ice cream market is subsegmented into impulse ice cream, take-home ice cream, and artisanal ice cream. In terms of distribution channel, the market is segmented into supermarkets and hypermarkets, convenience stores, specialty stores, and others.
Company Profiles
- Desert Chill
- Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc.
- General Mills Inc.
- IFFCO Group
- Maras Turka
- MARS Incorporated
- MINI Melts Inc.
- Nestlé S.A.
- Pure Ice Cream Co. LLC.
- Unilever
UAE Ice Cream Market Strategic Insights
UAE Ice Cream Market Report Highlights
| Report Attribute | Details |
| Market size in 2021 | US$ 126.21 Million |
| Market Size by 2028 | US$ 157.46 Million |
| CAGR (2021 - 2028) | 3.2% |
| Historical Data | 2019-2020 |
| Forecast period | 2022-2028 |
| Segments Covered |
By Product Type
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Regions and Countries Covered
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| UAE | |
| Market leaders and key company profiles |
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UAE Ice Cream Market Country and Regional Insights
