UAE Gluten-free Products Market Research Report: Forecast (2025-2030)

Market Definition

Gluten-free products refer to food items that do not contain a mixture of proteins known as gluten, found in wheat, barley, and certain other cereals. Consumption of gluten can be harmful for people with certain medical conditions (such as celiac disease) that make it hard for their digestive systems to process the protein mix. Moreover, gluten-free products are also consumed by people who don’t have any such condition because of the increased popularity of such products in recent times.

Market Insights and Analysis: UAE Gluten-free Products Market (2025-2030):

The UAE Gluten-free Products Market size was valued at around USD30 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD43.28 million by 2030. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 6.30% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-30. This consistent growth is likely to be driven by increased health consciousness, product innovation and diversification, and retail expansion.

The awareness about gluten-related disorders is rising around the country, and so is the number of such conditions being reported across various regions. According to a 2023 survey in the UAE, more than 55% of the respondents reported that they look for healthier options when making food choices. Respondents said that they looked at gluten-free diets as healthier options even if they didn’t have any gluten-related disorders. This shows an increased demand for such products beyond medical necessity.

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Moreover, consumer goods manufacturers are increasingly offering healthier food products to target a broad set of consumers in line with rising trends in consumer preferences. This is evident in the availability of a wide variety of healthier food options like gluten-free, plant-based, and clean-label products across supermarkets, health stores, and e-commerce platforms in the country. Coupled with the expansion of retail infrastructure, both physical and online, this is contributing to the growth of the gluten-free product industry in the UAE.

With increased efforts by global and local players, the gluten-free products market is likely to continue growing in the UAE, supported by increasing awareness about health conditions and perceived healthier lifestyles, increasing availability, and product innovation and diversification. This provides an attractive opportunity for food companies and investors looking to compete in the UAE Gluten-free Products Market.

UAE Gluten-free Products Market Driver:

Rising Health & Dietary Awareness Driving Market Demand – The rapidly increasing awareness about the possible harmful effects of gluten, especially on individuals medically affected by gluten, is driving the market demand for gluten-free products in the UAE. People are increasingly seeing gluten-free food items as healthier options even when they are not affected by any gluten-related disorder. The increased awareness about possible effects on health has caused consumers to choose gluten-free products to consciously avoid any of these irritations. Additionally, people are also switching to gluten-free products because of certain allergies related to other substances present in common gluten-containing foods like wheat, apart from their intolerance to gluten directly.

Moreover, the demand for gluten-free products is being further driven by global trends related to eating and weight management. In a regional survey conducted in the UAE in 2023, it was found that 35% of the respondents who regularly bought gluten-free products didn’t have a medical reason supporting their buying decisions, but did so because they perceived these products as healthy. With the increasing penetration of social media and access to celebrity influencers, consumers are consciously moving away from ‘traditional’ food products to perceived healthier options, among which gluten-free products take a prominent place.

UAE Gluten-free Products Market Opportunity:

Increasing Opportunities for Local Manufacturing of Gluten-Free Products – Most gluten-free products sold and consumed in the UAE are imported from the US and Europe, and there is a lack of local manufacturing when it comes to gluten-free product lines. This makes the products relatively expensive and generic when it comes to the taste preferences of the consumers. This gives an opportunity to produce locally and raise market demand by offering more affordable options. Developing localized products in terms of taste would make them more attractive to a larger base of the population, driving market demand. As the share of locally-made products increases with time, it would also enhance customer loyalty for these brands, further contributing to market growth & expansion.

Furthermore, local production also provides an opportunity for companies to be eligible for the UAE's localization support schemes, such as the ‘National Food Security Strategy 2051’, which allows a 60% reduction in licensing costs and offers up to USD272 million as a rebate for innovations in agricultural technology. Additionally, establishing the UAE as a manufacturing hub catering to not just the domestic demand but the regional demand as well would make them eligible for further incentives, such as zero-rated VAT on exports.

UAE Gluten-free Products Market Challenge:

Higher Cost of Gluten-Free Products – Gluten-free products cost more than similar products made from conventional ingredients. For example, a loaf of gluten-free bread costs between around USD5-7 on average, while a loaf made from wheat costs between USD1.5-2. This difference in cost prevents a considerable section of consumers from purchasing gluten-free options.

The high cost of gluten-free products is not so much due to the actual cost of the ingredients, but because of other factors such as the cost of excise duties, logistics, and exchange rate fluctuations, as the majority of the products are imported from outside. Additionally, the need to set up dedicated manufacturing facilities to avoid cross-contamination further increases the cost. Gluten-free products are also marketed as premium products, which adds a price premium to such products as a result of their higher positioning.

UAE Gluten-free Products Market Trend:

Wider Availability through Retail Expansion and Product Diversification – Gluten-free products are finding more coverage in retail outlets across the UAE. Major supermarket chains in the country, such as Lulu and Spinneys, are creating entire aisles filled exclusively with gluten-free products and making them easily identifiable through color-coded signage. Specialty stores, such as Organic Foods & Café and Waitrose, are offering more gluten-free products to their customers, as evident in a report which showed a growth of over 25% in the shelf-space occupied by such products in recent years.

Some retailers like Lulu have created their own brands of gluten-free products, making such products more accessible to a large section of consumers due to their relatively lower prices when compared to expensive, imported products. Moreover, brands are expanding into diverse product categories like snacks, pasta, pancake mixes, and plant-based protein bars, and offering products suited to regional tastes with date-based options as well. This trend of wider availability of gluten-free products is likely to continue riding on the popularity of such products in the market.

UAE Gluten-free Products Market (2025-2030): Segmentation Analysis

The UAE Gluten-free Products Market study of MarkNtel Advisors evaluates & highlights the major trends and influencing factors in each segment. It includes predictions for the period 2025-2030 at the country level. Based on the analysis, the market has been further classified as:

Based on Product Type:

• Pasta
• Ready Meals
• Bakery Products
• Baby Food

Ready meals represent the dominant segment by product type in the UAE gluten-free products industry, driven by convenience and tourism. This segment serves the needs of working professionals, expat families, and tourists, who are looking for convenient and healthy food options. Easily available frozen gluten-free food items that consumers can eat with minimal time and effort in cooking drive the popularity of this segment.

Popular food items such as sandwiches, pizzas, and entrees are as available as ready meals, and this list is likely to increase as the segment grows further. Although bakery items (bread, pancake mixes, etc.) are seeing strong growth in market demand in recent years, ready meals are going to continue being the dominant segment in the market for a foreseeable period of time, as the situation in the country described earlier is likely to remain the same.

Based on Distribution Channel:

• Grocery Shops
• Hypermarkets/Supermarkets
• Online
• Others (Health & Natural Food Stores, Specialty Retailers, etc.)

Although the online segment is rapidly growing, driven by convenience and direct-to-consumer brands, hypermarkets/supermarkets remain the dominant segment when it comes to distribution channels. Hypermarkets offer the biggest range of gluten-free products across all distribution channels in the country. Carrefour UAE, a popular hypermarket chain, offers more than 200 different varieties of gluten-free products to its customers.

Hypermarkets also offer dedicated promotions and discounts, and are the preferred choice of consumers when it comes to routine grocery shopping, making them the leading contributor to the sales of gluten-free products in the UAE. With a rapidly increasing selection of gluten-free products when compared to other distribution channels, hypermarkets/supermarkets are likely to remain the dominant segment in the market.

UAE Gluten-free Products Industry Recent Development:

• February 2025: The Khalifa Fund for Economic Development declared its support for Sinless General Trading, the UAE’s sole producer of gluten-free flour, showing government support for local gluten-free businesses.

Gain a Competitive Edge with Our UAE Gluten-free Products Market Report

1. UAE Gluten-free Products Market 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 Gluten-free Products 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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