Table of Contents
How to Start a Fodder Seller Via Stalls Business with Meydan Free Zone
Introduction
Fodder and animal feed trading is one of the most structurally essential commodity sectors in the UAE, underpinned by a livestock population of over 2.2 million heads, a world-class equine and camel racing industry, and a national food security strategy that places domestic livestock production at the centre of agricultural investment. The global animal feed market was valued at USD 602.06 billion in 2024 and is forecast to reach USD 903.16 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 5.2%, according to SkyQuest¹.
This scale reflects the universal dependency of modern livestock production on commercially supplied feed, with animal feed costs representing 60 to 70% of total poultry production costs in the UAE.
The UAE animal feed market reached USD 2.64 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 3.38 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 2.75%, according to IMARC Group². Annual animal feed consumption in the UAE stands at 3.00 million tonnes, driven by poultry, ruminant, and equine sectors.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the two core pillars of the UAE animal feed sector, home to integrated feed mill operations and the highest concentrations of livestock and equestrian facilities in the country.
The scale of the UAE’s institutional commitment to fodder trading is demonstrated by the Abu Dhabi Fodder Market, launched under the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA). Described as the Middle East’s largest dedicated fodder market, it serves more than 40,000 animal breeders supplying five million livestock heads across the UAE, with 85 dedicated outlets operated by 30 companies, according to Gulf News³.
The market is connected to an online trading platform and is designed to provide breeders across all emirates with access to high-quality feed at competitive prices.
Beyond mainstream livestock, the UAE’s deep equestrian and camel heritage creates a specialist premium feed market. Meydan Racecourse is one of the world’s most prestigious thoroughbred racing venues, and camel racing circuits across the UAE consume significant volumes of specialist nutrition.
In February 2025, Agthia Group launched four new specialised camel feed products using precision nutrition technology from Trouw Nutrition’s NutriOpt platform, reflecting the commercial depth of the performance animal feed segment. For fodder stall traders, this combination of high-volume commodity demand and specialist premium categories creates a multi-tier commercial opportunity within a single activity code.
Market at a glance
4781 — Retail sale via stalls and markets of food, beverages and tobacco products
Activity code 4781.95 falls within ISIC class 4781, which covers the retail sale of food, beverages, and tobacco products via stalls or markets. Within this class, sub-code 4781.95 is specifically designated for Fodder Seller Via Stalls — the retail sale of animal feed, fodder, and livestock nutrition products from a market stall or marketplace position.
This encompasses all categories of fodder including hay, straw, alfalfa, compound feeds, pellets, equine feeds, camel rations, and speciality livestock nutrition products sold directly to end customers through a stall-based channel.
What this activity does not cover
Licensing and compliance
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Global animal feed market (2024) | $602.06B CAGR 5.2% to 2032 (SkyQuest) |
| UAE animal feed market (2024) | $2.64B CAGR 2.75% to 2033 (IMARC Group) |
| UAE livestock heads | 5M+ Served by Abu Dhabi Fodder Market |
Activity Details
Fodder & hay suppliers Businesses supplying dried grass, alfalfa, hay, straw, and other roughage feeds directly to livestock breeders, camel farms, horse stables, and smallholder farmers through market stalls and the UAE’s established network of fodder markets and animal feed souks.
Compound feed distributorsTraders retailing compound, mixed, and formulated animal feed products from stalls, including pellets, mash, and crumble feeds for poultry, ruminants, and other livestock, serving the UAE’s 2.2 million livestock heads and growing farm animal population.
Equine & camel feed specialistsSuppliers of specialist equine, camel, and performance animal feed products serving the UAE’s world-class horse racing industry, camel racing circuits, polo clubs, and equestrian centres, where premium nutrition directly supports competitive performance.
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| UAE animal feed projection | $3.38B projected UAE animal feed market by 2033 UAE animal feed consumption 3.00M tonnes Feed as share of poultry prod. costs 60–70% Abu Dhabi Fodder Market breeders 40,000+ |
| Key fodder product categories | Hay, straw & dried grass — Alfalfa & Rhodes grass Compound & mixed feed — Pellets, mash, crumble Equine & camel feed — Racing & performance Poultry & ruminant feed — Largest segment Specialty & organic feed — Growing segment |
