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How to Start a Flavours & Fragrances Trading Business with Meydan Free Zone
Flavours and fragrances trading as a food industry activity covers the supply of food-grade flavouring agents, natural and artificial flavour compounds, food fragrances, aromatic ingredients, and flavour enhancers used in food manufacturing, food processing, bakery, confectionery, and beverage production. This is a B2B food ingredient category distinct from consumer fragrance products covered under 4772.03.
The UAE's growing food manufacturing sector, hosting over 600 food processing operations, creates consistent demand for food-grade flavour compounds and aromatic ingredients.[1] The National Food Security Strategy 2051 actively promotes growth in domestic food processing capacity, and Gulfood Manufacturing is held annually in Dubai as the region's primary trade show for food ingredient suppliers, including flavour and fragrance ingredient traders serving the food industry.
Who is this for?
4721.88 - Flavours & Fragrances Trading
Activity 4721.88 covers the trading of flavours and fragrances for food industry applications, interpreted within the retail sale of food in specialised stores. This encompasses natural and artificial food flavours, flavouring compounds and extracts, food-grade essential oils, aroma chemicals for food use, vanilla extract and flavour compounds, food-grade fragrance ingredients, and all flavouring agents and aromatic substances used in food and beverage manufacturing and processing.
Activity 4721.88 covers flavours and fragrances for food industry use. Consumer fragrance products including perfumes and colognes fall under 4772.03.
Non-food fragrances are covered under separate categories.
In short: if you are trading food-grade flavours and fragrance ingredients for food industry applications, you are in. Consumer perfumery falls under 4772.03.
Third-Party Approval
This activity does not require third-party approval to obtain a business license from Meydan Free Zone.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
This business activity is not subject to AML compliance requirements.
References
¹ UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. (2024). UAE Food Manufacturing Sector Overview.
