UAE Chocolate Market Size

UAE Chocolate Market Analysis

The UAE Chocolate Market size is estimated at 512.55 million USD in 2024, and is expected to reach 704.11 million USD by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.43% during the forecast period (2024-2030).

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512.55 Million

Market Size in 2024 (USD)

704.11 Million

Market Size in 2030 (USD)

2.46 %

CAGR (2018-2023)

5.43 %

CAGR (2024-2030)

Largest Segment by Confectionery Variant

50.94 %

value share, Milk and White Chocolate, 2023

The innovative flavor offerings possible in white chocolate, followed by the preference for varied taste profiles in the region, are anticipated to drive segmental growth.

Largest Segment by Distribution Channel

40.94 %

value share, Convenience Store, 2023

The feasible locations of convenience stores allow consumers to shop within minimal distances with wider chocolate product availability, making it major segment of the market.

Fastest-growing Segment by Confectionery variant

5.95 %

Projected CAGR, Dark Chocolate, 2024-2030

The escalating sales of premium quality dark chocolate products, along with growing and rising consumer expenditure capacities in UAE, creating market growth in the region.

Fastest-growing Segment by Distribution Channel

6.50 %

Projected CAGR, Online Retail Store, 2024-2030

The freedom to browse digital catalogs without any hurry in a priceless way, within a short span of time to the right place, has become the major factor driving the segment.

Leading Market Player

34.98 %

market share, Mars Incorporated, 2022

Mars Incorporated has gained a competitive edge due to its extensive product portfolio, wider brand presence, and strategic moves toward innovation in flavors and ingredients.

Supermarkets and convenience stores hold major share with wide presence and easy access to multiple brands

UAE Chocolate Industry Segmentation

Dark Chocolate, Milk and White Chocolate are covered as segments by Confectionery Variant. Convenience Store, Online Retail Store, Supermarket/Hypermarket, Others are covered as segments by Distribution Channel.

• Convenience stores are the most widely preferred distribution channels for purchasing chocolate confectionery in the United Arab Emirates. The volume of sales of chocolate confectionery through convenience stores is estimated to register a 41.68% volume share in 2024. A nationwide network of these operators allows easy access to both local and mainstream confectionery brands. For instance, Zoom operated more than 220 stores in the United Arab Emirates, while Circle K operated more than 105 outlets in the region in 2022. Chocolate sales are estimated to grow at the highest CAGR through convenience stores to reach a sales value of USD 283.22 million by 2030.
• Supermarkets/hypermarkets are the second most preferred channels, after convenience stores, for the sale of chocolates in the country. Chocolate is the highest-sold confection among all confectioneries through supermarkets and hypermarkets, with a market volume share of 60.59% in 2023. Strategic product positioning on the dedicated shelves for the confectionery category influences impulse purchase behavior among potential consumers. Casino Supermarkets, Carrefour, Lulu, and Shoprite are some of the leading grocery store operators in the country.
• The online channel is projected to be the fastest-growing distribution channel for chocolate confectionery, with an anticipated CAGR of 6.38% in terms of value during the forecast period (2023-2030). Consumers’ access to technology and the internet enables the growth and development of online grocery sales. There were 10.65 million social website users (including e-commerce websites) in the United Arab Emirates in January 2022, equivalent to 10.6% of the total population, further boosting the demand for online shopping of chocolates in the country.