UAE Catering Services Market Research Report: Forecast (2026-2032)

Market Definition

Catering services refer to services that provide food and beverages (F&B) across various institutions, sectors, and events. These services involve the on-site or off-site production of food and subsequent serving at client locations. The catering services industry in the UAE has seen rapid transformations with the country’s economic progress and urbanization, and the expansion of its hospitality industry in recent years.

Market Insights and Analysis: UAE Catering Services Market (2026-32):

The UAE Catering Services Market size was valued at around USD 4.1 Billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 6.25 Billion by 2032. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 6.21% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-32. This consistent growth is likely to be driven by the prevalence of institutional catering, booming tourism & large-scale events, and innovations in the broader F&B industry. The World Bank estimated in 2024 that expatriates constituted a staggering 88% of the UAE’s population. A major portion of these expats are migrant laborers who work in different sectors and are housed in labor encampments across the country. Large-scale establishments like this depend on services from institutional caterers like ADNH Catering to feed thousands of consumers on a daily basis. Corporate employers like Emirates also have catering services on contract to serve meals to their employees. The prevalence of catering services on institutional levels is thus contributing majorly to the growth & expansion of the UAE Catering Services Industry.

There is a strong demand for catering services in the UAE due to its importance as a major tourism hub for international visitors. The UAE saw 18.72 million tourists flocking to destinations like Dubai and Abu Dhabi in 2024. UAE also ranks 1^st in the Middle East and 16^th globally for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) tourism. The country thus hosts major international events that demand customized and high-end catering services. These aspects are likely to continue boosting the catering services market in the country in both volume and value terms. The growth of the Catering Service Market in the UAE is further supported by innovations in the broader F&B industry. The industry has seen a major change in the rise of tech-enabled cloud kitchens that cater to F&B demand remotely without having to invest in service infrastructure. Catering companies are also adopting cloud kitchens to expand their services cost-effectively. Mobile apps and digital integration are further boosting market growth by streamlining operations.

UAE Catering Services Market Scope:

UAE Catering Services Market Driver:

Institutional Catering Driving Market Demand – The UAE Catering Services Market is primarily driven by institutional catering, which accounts for over 55% of the total market revenue. It caters to the needs of millions of consumers in corporate, industrial, and other sectors across the country. ADNH Catering alone serves over 100,000 meals every day to clients like the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and the UAE Armed Forces. Important sectors like oil & gas and infrastructure employ catering contracts to serve meals to their large workforces efficiently. These contracts are boosting market growth by ensuring long-term demand for catering companies operating in these sectors.

Institutional catering also contributes to market growth by providing economies of scale to catering services companies. It drives the profit margins of these companies by reducing production and logistics costs. Operational synergies due to the presence of organization-wide optimizations further improve the competitiveness of these companies. Institutional catering thus acts as the backbone by providing both scale and assurance of long-term demand to the UAE Catering Services Market.

UAE Catering Services Market Opportunity

Healthcare & Education Expansion Opening New Doors – The UAE is witnessing the expansion of its healthcare and education facilities as a result of growing investments and partnerships in the sector. This provides the catering services market in the country with an opportunity to boost market growth by serving specialized food and beverage demands from these sectors. Deloitte Middle East estimates the number of hospital beds in the country to grow by up to 15% in the next three years. Industry players like Abela & Co. and KEITA already have ongoing partnerships in the sector. Increasing investments in specialty care and medical tourism would further create demand for nutritionally-enriched specialized meals for patients in healthcare facilities.

The number of schools in the country is also rising to fulfill the growing educational needs of the population. Government agencies like the Abu Dhabi Department of Knowledge and Education (ADEK) and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority of Dubai (KHDA) are planning to add 700 new schools, while also working on making the existing schools more organized and compliant with health standards in the country. The expansion of global university campuses in the country is further boosting market demand by combining retail and food services in their cafeterias and food courts.

UAE Catering Services Market Challenge:

Rising Input Costs Slowing Market Growth –  The UAE Catering Service Industry is facing a considerable challenge in the form of rising input costs due to inflation, supply chain disruptions, and exchange rate volatility. This is affecting market demand across all sectors because costs are increasing not just of food commodities but also of labor and transportation. This is further amplified by changing geopolitical situations because the UAE relies almost completely on the import of food commodities. The FAO Food Price Index showed an 18% increase in vegetable oil prices and 12% increase in dairy product prices between June 2023 and June 2024.

Market growth is also affected by increasing input costs because catering companies have very little scope for passing on the cost to clients. Sharp rises in costs can affect the profitability and operations of catering companies, especially for long-term fixed-price institutional catering contracts. These aspects necessitate long-term strategic decisions on pricing and operational consolidation to avoid market volatility.

UAE Catering Services Market Trend:

Increasing Focus on Sustainability & Waste Reduction – The catering services industry is usually criticized for issues like food wastage and environmentally harmful packaging. This is beginning to change for the UAE Catering Services Market as industry players are moving towards the adoption of zero-waste kitchens and eco-friendly packaging. Catering companies are using waste monitoring tools and AI-powered systems that are helping to track food wastage and reduce overproduction at the same time. Companies are saving costs and improving environmental compliance by reducing food waste by up to 30% by incorporating these systems.

Disposable materials used for packaging and serving constitute 30-40% of the waste generated by food service companies. Regulatory norms are thus encouraging catering services companies to use eco-friendly materials and reusable serving ware. Institutional clients are increasingly integrating sustainability metrics into catering service contracts. This is nudging catering companies to adopt sustainable practices and even opt for green certifications to improve their environmental credentials. Sustainability and waste reduction are thus likely to shape the market with evolving client expectations and regulatory requirements.

UAE Catering Services Market (2026-32): Segmentation Analysis

The UAE Catering Services Market study of MarkNtel Advisors evaluates & highlights the major trends and influencing factors in each segment. It includes predictions for the period 2026-32 at the national level. Based on the analysis, the market has been further classified as:

Based on Type:

• Outsourced
  • Contractual
  • Non-Contractual
• In-House

Outsourced catering is the dominant segment based on type, accounting for about 68% revenue share in the UAE Catering Services Market. The segment leads the market because most organizations outsource their catering requirements to third parties that specialize in providing catering services due to the scale and complexity of providing tens of thousands of meals on a daily basis. Industries with large-scale operations require specialist catering service providers to operate central kitchens in multiple shifts throughout the day. Food safety requirements also necessitate outsourcing to ensure compliance and avoid unnecessary costs.

Contractual catering leads within the outsourced segment because organizations prefer long-term service contracts that can provide meals, handle staffing, and ensure regulatory compliance. These contracts are prevalent in the UAE because they provide long-term cost savings for organizations and allow them to focus on their core operations instead of managing support operations like staff catering. This is highlighted in Etihad Rail's multi-year contract with ADNH Catering for on-site catering and camp food service across all worker hubs.

Based on End User:

• Construction Industry
• Corporate Offices
• Education
• Healthcare
• Oil & Gas
• Defense & Law Enforcement
• Government
• In-Flight
• Mining & EPC
• Others

The construction industry is the dominant segment based on end user, with an estimated share of around 30-35% in the UAE Catering Services Market.  The segment leads the market due to the presence of a large number of workers and continuous operations as a result of numerous large-scale infrastructure projects across the country. This results in a consistently high demand in the construction industry due to the requirement for catering services across major development sites in the country.

Large-scale infrastructure projects in the UAE employ hundreds of thousands of workers across multiple sites. This translates to multiple meals for all these workers at project sites and at their camps on a daily basis. The food service requirements at these construction sites can be massive because they operate 24 hours a day in rotational shifts and require hundreds of thousands of meals. Major players in the construction industry typically have service contracts with catering companies that ensure long-term demand and market revenue, leading to the continued dominance of the segment.

Top Companies in the UAE Catering Services Market: Players, Analysis & Future Outlook

The leading Catering Services companies in the UAE, including ADNH Catering, Emirates Flight Catering, Al Jazeera International Catering, KEITA, National Catering Company Limited WLL, Royal Catering Services, Abela & Co, Kelvin Catering Services, Emirates Catering Services, Baguette Catering Services & Restaurants, and others, are looking forward to increasing their market size & share.

UAE Catering Services Industry Recent Development:

• February 2025: Emirates Flight Catering signed a 4-year contract with Dubai Airshow to provide exclusive catering services for the biennial event, showcasing its ability to manage high-profile contracts and signaling expansion beyond in-flight catering.
• September 2024: ADNH Catering initiated the process to sell a 40% stake through an IPO, announcing its plans to enter the rapidly growing healthcare and education sectors with the proceeds of the sale.

Gain a Competitive Edge with Our UAE Catering Services Market Report

1. UAE Catering Services Market Report by MarkNtel Advisors provides a detailed & thorough analysis of market size & share, growth rate, competitive landscape, and key players. This comprehensive analysis helps businesses gain a holistic understanding of the market dynamics & make informed decisions.
2. This report also highlights current market trends & future projections, allowing businesses to identify emerging opportunities & potential challenges. By understanding market forecasts, companies can align their strategies & stay ahead of the competition.
3. UAE Catering Services Market Report aids in assessing & mitigating risks associated with entering or operating in the market. By understanding market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and potential challenges, businesses can develop strategies to minimize risks & optimize their operations.

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