Report Overview

UAE Catering Services Market – Industry Trends & Forecast Report, 2029

UAE catering services market size was estimated at USD 2.59 million in 2022. During the forecast period between 2023 and 2029, the size of UAE catering services market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.40% reaching a value of USD 4 million by 2029. The UAE catering services market has witnessed significant trends. A shift towards healthier and diverse menus to cater to health-conscious consumers has emerged. Integration of technology for efficient ordering, delivery, and payment processes has gained traction. Personalized and experiential catering options for events have risen in demand. Sustainability and eco-friendly practices are becoming focal points, impacting sourcing and packaging choices. Also, the market has seen an upsurge in virtual and hybrid event catering due to the influence of the pandemic. These trends collectively depict a dynamic landscape where innovation, health, technology, and sustainability are shaping the UAE catering industry.

UAE Catering Services Market - Overview

Catering services encompass the provision of food, beverages, and event-related amenities for various occasions, such as weddings, corporate events, parties, and more. These services involve menu planning, food preparation, presentation, and delivery, often tailored to the client's preferences and dietary requirements. Caterers manage logistics, staffing, and equipment, ensuring seamless execution of events. From intimate gatherings to large-scale functions, catering services offer convenience, culinary expertise, and a personalized touch, enhancing the overall guest experience and allowing hosts to focus on enjoying their event.

Growth Drivers

Tech-Driven Convenience Fuels Growth of UAE Catering Services Market

The UAE catering services market is propelled by technology's transformative impact, enhancing convenience and customer experience. Integrated online ordering platforms, efficient delivery logistics, and digital payment solutions have revolutionized the way consumers engage with catering. This tech-savvy approach caters to the fast-paced lifestyle of UAE residents, driving demand for hassle-free, on-demand catering solutions. As the nation embraces digital innovation, catering businesses are leveraging these advancements to expand their reach, offer tailored services, and meet evolving customer expectations, thereby propelling the sector's growth in the dynamic UAE market.

Restraints

Challenges Confronting UAE's Catering Services Market

The UAE's catering services market faces a substantial challenge due to the nation's diverse cultural landscape. Meeting the dietary preferences and religious requirements of a multicultural population, including Muslims who observe halal dietary laws, poses a complex task. Caterers must navigate intricate culinary restrictions while maintaining quality and variety. This restraint necessitates meticulous planning, ingredient sourcing, and kitchen segregation to ensure compliance. Balancing cultural sensitivities while delivering a delightful culinary experience presents a continuous hurdle for catering businesses in the UAE market.

Impact of COVID-19 on UAE Catering Services Market

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the UAE catering services market. Lockdowns, travel restrictions, and event cancellations led to a sharp decline in demand for catering services, especially in large gatherings and corporate events. Businesses adapted by focusing on contactless delivery, hygiene protocols, and innovative packaging. Virtual events also drove a shift towards online ordering and individual meal packaging. As the UAE gradually reopens, the catering industry shows resilience through diversified services, emphasizing safety measures. The market's recovery trajectory hinges on adapting to evolving customer preferences and government guidelines while ensuring food safety and quality.

UAE Catering Services Market

Segmental Coverage

UAE Catering Services Market – By Service Type

Based on service type, UAE catering services market is bifurcated into Contractual Catering and Non-Contractual Catering segments. These segments encompass a wide array of catering services offered in the UAE. Contractual catering involves providing food services to institutions, companies, and organizations on a contract basis, while non-contractual catering refers to catering services for individual events, gatherings, and occasions. These segments collectively define the landscape of catering services in the UAE, catering to both institutional and individual dining needs with diverse offerings and specialized solutions.

UAE Catering Services Market – By End User

By end user, UAE catering services market is divided into In-Flight Catering, Oil & Gas Catering, Hospitality Catering, Healthcare Catering, Education Catering, and Corporate Catering segments. The largest segment in terms of revenue and demand is likely the Hospitality Catering sector. This segment caters to hotels, restaurants, and events, benefiting from the country's thriving tourism and hospitality industry. The UAE's reputation as a global travel and business hub contributes to the significant growth and prominence of hospitality catering within the market.

Competitive Landscape

Major players in the UAE catering services market include Emirates Flight Catering Company LLC, Royal Catering Services LLC, Al Jazeera International Catering LLC, Baguette Catering Services & Restaurants LLC, Abela & Co LLC, Al Yasat Catering And Restaurant Supplies, E P D Catering Co. LLC, Four N Catering – Sole Proprietorship LLC, Eat & Treat Catering Services LLC, Kelvin catering Services & Facilities Management Emirates LLC, ADNH Compass Middle East LLC, National Catering Services and Foodstuff, Southern Food and Catering Services (SFCS) LLC, Accuro Specialist Support Services LLC, Intercat-Cateriya Catering & Hospitality Services LLC, Conntrack Catering Services LLC, and Wakha Catering Services. To grow their market share, these companies are also focusing on investing in innovations, collaborations, and expansions.

Scope of the Report

By Service Type

• Contractual Catering

• Non-Contractual Catering  

By End User

• In-Flight Catering

• Oil & Gas Catering

• Hospitality Catering

• Healthcare Catering

• Education Catering

• Corporate Catering

1. Research Framework
   1. Research Objective
   2. Service Type Overview
   3. Market Segmentation
2. Executive Summary
3.  UAE Catering Services Market Insights
   1. Industry Value Chain Analysis
   2. DROC Analysis
      1. Growth Drivers
         1. Increased disposable income
         2. International events
      2. Restraints
         1. High competition
         2. High cost of labor
      3. Opportunities
         1. Expansion into new markets
         2. Development of new technologies
      4. Challenges
         1. Labor shortage
         2. Political instability
   3. Technological Advancements/Recent Developments
   4. Regulatory Framework
   5. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
      1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers
      2. Bargaining Power of Buyers
      3. Threat of New Entrants
      4. Threat of Substitutes
      5. Intensity of Rivalry
4.  UAE Catering Services Market Overview
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2029
      1. By Value (USD Million)
   2. Market Share and Forecast
      1. By Service Type
         1. Contractual Catering
         2. Non-Contractual Catering
      2. By End User
         1. In-Flight Catering
         2. Oil & Gas Catering
         3. Hospitality Catering
         4. Healthcare Catering
         5. Education Catering
         6. Corporate Catering
         7. Others
5. Competitive Landscape
   1. List of Key Players and Their Offerings
   2. UAE Catering Services Market Share Analysis, 2022
   3. Competitive Benchmarking, By Operating Parameters
   4. Key Strategic Developments (Mergers, Acquisitions, Partnerships, etc.)
6. Impact of Covid-19 on UAE Catering Services Market
7. Company Profile (Company Overview, Financial Matrix, Competitive Landscape, Key Personnel, Key Competitors, Contact Address, Strategic Outlook, SWOT Analysis)
   1. Emirates Flight Catering Company LLC
   2. Royal Catering Services LLC
   3. Al Jazeera International Catering LLC
   4. Baguette Catering Services & Restaurants LLC
   5. Abela & Co LLC
   6. Al Yasat Catering And Restaurant Supplies
   7. E P D Catering Co. LLC
   8. Four N Catering – Sole Proprietorship LLC
   9. Eat & Treat Catering Services LLC
   10. Kelvin Catering Services & Facilities Management Emirates LLC
   11. ADNH Compass Middle East LLC
   12. National Catering Services and Foodstuff
   13. Southern Food and Catering Services (SFCS) LLC
   14. Accuro Specialist Support Services LLC
   15. Intercat-Cateriya Catering & Hospitality Services LLC
   16. Conntrack Catering Services LLC
   17. Wakha Catering Services
   18. Other Prominent Players
8. Key Strategic Recommendations
9. Research Methodology
   1.  Qualitative Research
      1.  Primary & Secondary Research
   2.  Quantitative Research
   3.  Market Breakdown & Data Triangulation
      1.  Secondary Research
      2.  Primary Research
   4.  Breakdown of Primary Research Respondents, By Region
   5.  Assumptions & Limitations

*Financial information of non-listed companies can be provided as per availability.

**The segmentation and the companies are subject to modifications based on in-depth secondary research for the final deliverable

List of Figures

Figure 1       UAE Catering Services Segmentation

Figure 2       UAE Catering Services Market Value Chain Analysis

Figure 3       Company Market Share Analysis, 2021

Figure 4       UAE Catering Services Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2029

Figure 5       UAE Catering Services Market Share, By Service Type, By Value, 2019–2029

Figure 6       UAE Catering Services Market Share, By End User, By Value, 2019–2029

List of Tables

Table 1 UAE Catering Services Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2029

Table 2 UAE Catering Services Market Share, By Service Type, By Value, 2019–2029

Table 3 UAE Catering Services Market Share, By End User, By Value, 2019–2029

Table 4 Emirates Flight Catering Company LLC Company Overview

Table 5 Emirates Flight Catering Company LLC Financial Overview

Table 6 Royal Catering Services LLC Company Overview

Table 7 Royal Catering Services LLC Financial Overview

Table 8 Al Jazeera International Catering LLC Company Overview

Table 9 Al Jazeera International Catering LLC Financial Overview

Table 10      Baguette Catering Services & Restaurants LLC Company Overview

Table 11      Baguette Catering Services & Restaurants LLC Financial Overview

Table 12      Abela & Co LLC Company Overview

Table 13      Abela & Co LLC Financial Overview

Table 14      Al Yasat Catering And Restaurant Supplies Company Overview

Table 15      Al Yasat Catering And Restaurant Supplies Financial Overview

Table 16      E P D Catering Co. LLC Company Overview

Table 17      E P D Catering Co. LLC Financial Overview

Table 18      Four N Catering – Sole Proprietorship LLC Company Overview

Table 19      Four N Catering – Sole Proprietorship LLC Financial Overview

Table 20      Eat & Treat Catering Services LLC Company Overview

Table 21      Eat & Treat Catering Services LLC Financial Overview

Table 22      Kelvin Catering Services & Facilities Management Emirates LLC Company Overview

Table 23      Kelvin catering Services & Facilities Management Emirates LLC Financial Overview

Table 24      ADNH Compass Middle East LLC Company Overview

Table 25      ADNH Compass Middle East LLC Financial Overview

Table 26      National Catering Services and Foodstuff Company Overview

Table 27      National Catering Services and Foodstuff Financial Overview

Table 28      Southern Food and Catering Services (SFCS) LLC Company Overview

Table 29      Southern Food and Catering Services (SFCS) LLC Financial Overview

Table 30      Accuro Specialist Support Services LLC Company Overview

Table 31      Accuro Specialist Support Services LLC Financial Overview

Table 32      Intercat-Cateriya Catering & Hospitality Services LLC Company Overview

Table 33      Intercat-Cateriya Catering & Hospitality Services LLC Financial Overview

Table 34      Conntrack Catering Services LLC Company Overview

Table 35      Conntrack Catering Services LLC Financial Overview

Table 36      Wakha Catering Services Company Overview

Table 37      Wakha Catering Services Financial Overview