A surge in investment in tourism and hospitality across the Middle East is driving new demand for British dairy products, with industry experts predicting the region could become one of Britain’s fastest-growing export markets.
AHDB export experts say a surge in visitor numbers and rapid growth in food service and retail are driving demand for premium products such as specialty cheeses, butter, yogurt and infant milk.
The insights follow the taxation body’s first dairy export mission to the Middle East, which took place from 25 to 30 October and saw a delegation of British businesses visit Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
The visit, co-funded by the Department for Business, Trade and Trade (DBT) as part of the UK Dairy Export Programme, aims to strengthen commercial relationships and introduce British producers to new buyers and markets.
The UK exported dairy products worth around £1.8bn in 2024, according to AHDB, while wider government trade data, which includes dairy products and eggs, puts the total at just over £2bn.
AHDB believes the sector can achieve further growth through closer collaboration with high-value markets such as the Middle East and North Africa.
More than 20 retail and foodservice buyers met with the UK delegation during the five-day mission, which included market briefings, business meetings and networking receptions to promote the best of British dairy products, from mature cheddar and artisan cheeses to organic yoghurt, halloumi and infant milk.
Adil Khan, Middle East Dairy Representative at AHDB, said this mission is an important step in building a long-term partnership.
He said: “This initiative marks an exciting step in strengthening the UK-Middle East trade relationship and demonstrates the quality, innovation and diversity of British dairy products.”
Khan added that Saudi Arabia’s tourism boom, in particular, is contributing to expanding opportunities for exporters.
“Increasing tourism in Saudi Arabia is helping to drive opportunities in the food service sector, while opportunities also exist in retail due to the rapid expansion of e-commerce,” he explained.
“This presents huge opportunities for UK dairy products, particularly cheese, butter and infant milk. Trade missions like this play a key role in connecting our exporters with potential customers.”
AHDB’s UK Agricultural Export Outlook report identifies the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region as one of the most promising markets for UK agricultural products.
The report predicts that the MENA region will become the world’s second-largest food importer by 2031, driven by population growth, rising incomes, and major investments in hospitality and tourism.
AHDB believes that the high standards of quality, safety and provenance of UK dairy products are widely recognized and that UK exporters are well placed to capitalize on that demand.
Officials say the latest trade mission highlights the value of direct market engagement, which helps producers understand consumer preferences and distribution networks in one of the world’s fastest-growing food markets.
