Irish Food and Drink Exports Thrive in the MENA Region

• Irish food and drink exports to the MENA region hit EUR€546.9 million (US$624 million) in 2024, driven by rising demand for premium, halal-certified, and sustainably produced products in key markets like the UAE and Saudi Arabia.  

• Ireland’s strong reputation, proactive trade strategy, and alignment with regional consumer trends have positioned it as a trusted supplier across retail, hospitality, and foodservice channels.  

• With the MENA region’s food import dependence and Ireland’s export targets under Food Vision 2030, investors have timely opportunities in logistics, co-manufacturing, and market localization to support continued growth. 

Irish food and drink exports to MENA have been on a strong upward trajectory, with 2024 capping a multi-year growth trend. The EUR€546.9 million (US$624 million) export figure for 2024 represents a significant jump, reflecting double-digit growth in recent years. Irish food and beverage exports to the Middle East alone grew by 10 percent to around US$380 million in 2022 and continued to rise through 2023.

Multiple sources attribute this export surge to both market pull and strategic push. On the demand side, rising populations and import dependence in MENA drive the need for reliable food suppliers. On the supply side, Irish producers (with government support) have proactively targeted MEMA. Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, has prioritized the region in recent trade strategies, and 56 percent of Irish food exporters expect further growth in MENA in 2025 despite global challenges.

Key MENA markets for Irish food and drink exports

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The UAE is a strategic trade hub and Ireland’s number-one trading partner in the Middle East. In 2022, the Emirates made up about 27 percent of Ireland’s sales to the Arab region. The UAE imported an estimated EUR€361 million worth of Irish goods in one recent year, and in the first 9 months of 2022 alone, it imported US$510 million of Irish goods, up 26 percent year-on-year.

This dynamic, diversified economy, with a large expat population and world-class logistics offers significant growth potential for Irish food exporters. Sectors like premium foods, dairy, and beverages benefit from the UAE’s high-income consumers and tourism-driven demand. For example, Bord Bia has actively promoted Irish food products in the UAE, highlighting opportunities not only in retail but also in hospitality, aviation catering, and foodservice.

The UAE’s consumer trends toward quality and sustainability further favor Ireland’s positioning. A recent survey found UAE consumers are especially health- and quality-conscious, with 57 percent saying the “naturalness” of food influences their purchases. Nearly one-third of UAE beef consumers are willing to pay a premium for quality-assured (halal) Irish beef, the highest premium sensitivity observed, and 84 percent of UAE consumers actively avoid artificial additives, far above the global average. Such preferences align well with Ireland’s grass-fed, quality-assured dairy and meat products. In addition, the UAE is also a key market for Irish halal-certified beef, alongside European markets, reflecting the importance of cultural and religious alignment in this region.

Saudi Arabia

With the largest population and economy in the Gulf, Saudi Arabia is another top destination. It is the single biggest importer of Irish goods among Arab states, valued at EUR€553 million annually. Food imports are a significant component of this trade that Saudi Arabia is the world’s fifth-largest dairy importer and has long been a focus for Irish dairy exporters.

Ornua, Ireland’s largest dairy cooperative, has heavily invested in Saudi, opening a cheese manufacturing facility in Riyadh to serve regional markets. Saudi consumers’ growing appetite for premium dairy, e.g. specialized cheeses, infant formula, and the government’s push for food security mean Irish suppliers of milk powders, butter, and cheeses have robust opportunities. Furthermore, Saudi authorities have been easing market access, for instance, lifting certain age restrictions on beef imports, which bodes well for Irish meat exports. High oil revenues and economic diversification (Vision 2030) are fueling consumer spending and investments in the food sector, making Saudi a market with both immediate and long-term potential.

Other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets

Other GCC countries such as Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain have relatively smaller populations but higher GDP per capita than UAE and Saudi Arabia. They also have heavy food import needs. Irish export data show notable increases in exports to Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain in recent years.

Oman and Qatar saw double-digit growth in 2022 due to the expanding retail and hospitality sectors. Bahrain, while small, is projected to have one of the fastest-growing food consumption rates in the GCC, supported by rising incomes and tourism. These markets often serve as niche opportunities for premium products, like specialty dairy, bakery ingredients, or beverages, and can be testbeds for new product introductions in the region.’

Egypt

As the most populous country in the Arab world, Egypt represents a high-potential market driven by scale and rising demand for imported food products. With a population exceeding 110 million and limited agricultural capacity, Egypt relies heavily on external suppliers to meet domestic consumption. Irish exporters have made strategic inroads here, especially after Egypt reopened to Irish beef and live cattle imports in recent years.

As Egyptian consumers become more health-conscious and urbanized, opportunities are growing for value-added dairy products, infant nutrition, and affordable meat proteins. Egypt also serves as a springboard to other African markets due to its participation in continental trade agreements and its expanding cold chain logistics infrastructure.

Algeria

Algeria was a major importer of Irish beef in the 1980s and 1990s, making a gradual return as a destination for Irish agri-food exports. In a significant development, Ireland resumed beef exports to Algeria in 2023 after a decades-long hiatus, signaling renewed bilateral cooperation in food trade. Algeria’s government is prioritizing food security and diversification of import sources, especially in light of regional instability and fluctuating grain supplies. The country’s growing middle class and reliance on subsidized food imports make it a prime target for high-protein, competitively priced Irish dairy and meat exports. In particular, re-establishing trade channels through public-private partnerships and halal-certified supply chains may open the door for broader product categories in the near future.

Türkiye

Türkiye is an emerging market with strategic importance due to its large population, rising middle class, and position as a bridge between Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Its food and beverage market is expanding rapidly, driven by urbanization, changing consumer preferences, and growing demand for imported dairy, packaged foods, and functional ingredients.

In recent years, Türkiye has increased imports of European dairy products, food ingredients, and infant nutrition, which aligns with Ireland’s core export strengths. Irish producers of cheese, milk powders, and specialized food ingredients may find opportunities in Türkiye’s food manufacturing sector, especially as Turkish companies seek high-quality EU inputs.

Market drivers in MENA

Several market drivers are shaping the sources of Irish food and drink exports in the MENA region.

Demand for premium, high-quality products

Consumers in many MENA markets are increasingly seeking premium food and beverages, and they recognize Ireland as a source of high-quality products. The Gulf states have a large segment of affluent shoppers and a high-end hospitality industry who value taste, safety, and traceability. Ireland’s image as a “trusted supplier” of grass-fed dairy, quality meats, and premium packaged foods resonates strongly.

This is evident in consumer behavior, a significant share of Middle Eastern shoppers are willing to pay extra for quality assured and natural foods. Irish brands like Kerrygold (butter and cheese), Dubliner cheese, or Kelkin oats have carved out niches among discerning buyers in MENA.

The focus on quality also extends to categories like infant formula and functional ingredients, where Ireland is a leading global supplier. For international investors, this premiumization trend means there is room to introduce differentiated, value-added products rather than competing purely on volume or price.

Sustainability and clean label trends

Sustainability has become a notable factor in MENA food markets, aligning well with Ireland’s strengths. Gulf consumers are increasingly health-conscious and environmentally aware. A Bord Bia survey found UAE consumers lead globally in prioritizing natural, additive-free foods. Over 80 percent of surveyed UAE consumers try to avoid artificial additives, and nearly half show strong interest in naturally produced dairy. Ireland’s food industry, with its grass-based farming, low use of growth hormones, and Origin Green sustainability program, can meet these preferences.

Moreover, importers and regulators in MENA are paying closer attention to sustainable sourcing and carbon footprints. For example, large supermarket chains in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are starting to highlight organic or sustainably produced imports. Ireland’s proactive stance, e.g. carbon auditing on farms, green energy in food processing, gives it a competitive edge to appeal to these market segments.

Sustainability is not just a consumer fad but also a governmental priority in many MENA countries. Gulf governments are promoting domestic agriculture and responsible sourcing, so Irish exporters often emphasize partnership and knowledge-sharing in sustainable practices. The combination of premium quality plus sustainably produced enhances the appeal of Irish products from Gulf hotel kitchens to African urban supermarkets.

Halal certification and cultural fit 

Halal compliance is a fundamental requirement for penetrating Muslim-majority markets in the Middle East and parts of North Africa. Irish producers have a long history of adapting to meet halal standards, the Islamic Foundation of Ireland has acted as a certifying body for halal meat exports since 1981.

Today, a wide array of Irish foods are produced in halal-certified facilities, from beef and lamb to poultry, dairy ingredients and even processed foods. This enables Irish companies to serve markets like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, or Egypt confidently. Halal goes beyond just slaughter methods, it entails ensuring every ingredient and process, such as enzymes in cheese, gelatin in confections, is permissible. Ireland’s regulatory framework and collaboration with Islamic authorities have helped maintain trust.

Eighty-five percent of Ireland’s halal beef and lamb output is exported to key markets such as the UAE. The cultural fit extends to understanding consumption patterns, such as higher meat demand during Eid holidays, when Irish lamb exports peak. International firms entering MENA must integrate halal certification into their supply chain and marketing, which Ireland’s exporters have treated as standard practice for decades. This ability to deliver halal-certified, high-quality food at scale is a major driver of Ireland’s success in MENA, and one that any investor in this sector must prioritize.

For Irish food producers aiming to access Muslim-majority markets, halal certification is obtained through recognized Islamic bodies, the most prominent being the Islamic Foundation of Ireland (IFI). The certification process involves an audit of the entire production chain, including sourcing of raw materials, slaughter practices, processing, and packaging, to ensure compliance with Islamic dietary laws (Shariah).

Producers must demonstrate that no non-halal ingredients or cross-contaminants are present, including additives like gelatin or rennet. Once approved, products are labeled with a halal mark, and certification is typically renewed annually. Companies exporting to countries such as Saudi Arabia or the UAE may also need to register their certificates with those governments’ respective food safety or halal authorities. Collaborating with certifying bodies early in the product development stage can streamline market entry and foster trust with regional buyers.

Opportunities for investors and partnerships

For international business owners and investors looking at the Irish food and drink export sector vis-à-vis MENA, the landscape offers multiple opportunities, from distribution deals to joint ventures and local production. Key opportunity areas include:

Logistics and distribution hub

Many Irish exporters use the UAE as a regional distribution hub. Dubai’s Jebel Ali port and free zone, for example, facilitate easy re-export to Gulf neighbors, South Asia, and East Africa. Establishing regional warehousing or partnerships with local distributors in hubs like the UAE can greatly enhance market reach.

Companies entering now can tap into existing networks. For instance, Irish dairy products often partner with well-established GCC food importers for cold storage and retail placement. Investors could look at logistics services, like cold chain storage, refrigerated transport, which are in high demand to handle growing volumes of Irish meat and dairy in the Gulf’s hot climate.

Local production and co-manufacturing

One notable trend is Irish companies setting up a local presence in MENA to produce or finish products closer to the consumer. This can circumvent high import tariffs on finished goods, reduce shipping costs, and cater products to local tastes. Ornua’s cheese plant in Saudi Arabia is an example, by producing white cheese and other dairy products in Riyadh, Ornua can respond faster to regional demand and customize its offerings. Similarly, Kerry Group, the Irish ingredients giant, opened a 21,500 sq ft facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 2022 to manufacture food ingredients like seasonings and coatings for the Middle Eastern snack and meat industry.

International investors might consider joint ventures or partnerships to establish processing or packaging facilities in key MENA markets. Besides Saudi and the UAE, countries like Egypt or Morocco offer potential bases for regional production. These can range from meat processing plants, to bottling and packaging units for beverages, to bakeries using Irish ingredients. Host governments often welcome food manufacturing FDI, sometimes offering incentives to improve local food security.

Investing in marketing and adaptation

MENA consumers are diverse, ranging from traditional to cosmopolitan, so products may need adaptation in branding or formulation. There is opportunity for investors to support market research, product localization, and marketing campaigns that make Irish products resonate locally. This could involve funding halal product line extensions, new packaging in Arabic or French languages, or marketing that highlights attributes valued regionally, such as grass-fed, halal-certified, sustainably farmed. Premium marketing can particularly pay off in GCC countries where brand reputation matters.

Looking ahead

Looking ahead, the prospects for Irish food and drink exports to MENA appear strongly positive, underpinned by both demand and strategic targets. Ireland’s Food Vision 2030 strategy provides an ambitious roadmap, aiming to grow overall food and drink exports from about EUR€13.5 billion in 2021 to EUR€21 billion by 2030. Achieving this about 55 percent increase will inevitably involve further expanding outside of the growth. Therefore, it is conceivable that by 2030, Irish food exports to MENA could approach EUR€1 billion or more.

The fundamentals in MENA also remain very favorable for import growth. The MENA is the most food import-dependent in the world, a status unlikely to change soon. In addition to rapidly growing population, rising incomes and urbanization, and arid climates limiting local food production, the GCC countries will see steady consumption growth of food through 2030.

Crucially, Ireland is well-positioned to continue capitalizing on these trends. It has a strong brand in MENA, cultivated relationships, and a nimble agri-food industry that has proven it can navigate change. The Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce projects that Irish exports to the Arab states in all sectors could more than double to nearly EUR€12 billion by 2033, and food and drink will be a part of the surge, especially in categories where Ireland excels, such as dairy, meat, seafood, beverages, and functional ingredients.

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