How to Start a Foodstuff & Beverages Trading Business with Meydan Free Zone

May 18, 2026

Last Updated on Jul 19, 2026

How to Start a Foodstuff & Beverages Trading Business with Meydan Free Zone

Foodstuff and beverages trading is the broadest food and drink trading activity in the UAE's commercial classification system, covering the full spectrum of food and beverage products at the wholesale, import, and distribution level. The UAE food and grocery retail market reached USD 18.2 billion in 2024, growing at 3.86% year-on-year.[1] The UAE's strategic position as a re-export hub for the GCC and MENA region, its world-class cold-chain and ambient logistics infrastructure, and Jebel Ali's capacity as one of the world's largest ports all create exceptional structural opportunity for general foodstuff and beverage traders.

Gulfood, held in Dubai, is the world's largest annual food trade show, attended by thousands of international food and beverage suppliers seeking regional distribution partners. The UAE imports approximately 85% of its food and beverage requirements, creating a structural and permanent commercial role for foodstuff and beverage traders.

Who is this for?

Audience Segment	Profile
GENERAL IMPORT AND DISTRIBUTION	Foodstuff and Beverage Importers General food and beverage importers trading multiple product categories, using UAE free zone infrastructure to import, consolidate, and distribute to the UAE domestic market and GCC re-export channels.
WHOLESALE AND RE-EXPORT	GCC Food and Beverage Wholesale Traders Wholesale traders using UAE as a hub to import and re-export foodstuff and beverage products to GCC, MENA, and East Africa markets, leveraging Jebel Ali's exceptional re-export logistics capabilities.

4721.98 - Foodstuff & Beverages Trading

Infographic: How to Start a Foodstuff & Beverages Trading Business with Meydan Free Zone

Activity 4721.98 covers the trading of foodstuff and beverages broadly. This encompasses all food products and non-alcoholic beverage products traded at the wholesale, import, and distribution level, including ambient food, chilled and frozen food, canned and preserved food, dry goods, beverages including water, juices, soft drinks, energy drinks, dairy beverages, and all other food and drink products not specifically covered by more specific activity codes in the 4721 series.

Activity 4721.98 covers foodstuff and beverages broadly. Where a specific product falls under a more specific code in the 4721 series, the specific code is applicable.

In short: if you are trading foodstuff and beverages across multiple categories, you are in. Alcoholic beverages require separate licensing.

Category	Scope
Packaged food productsAll categories of packaged ambient, chilled, and frozen food products traded at wholesale and distribution level.	Food ingredients and commodities Food commodity products, bulk ingredients, and food raw materials traded at wholesale level.
Non-alcoholic beveragesWater, juices, soft drinks, energy drinks, iced tea, sports drinks, and all non-alcoholic beverage products.	Specialty and imported food International specialty food brands, premium imported food products, and specialty market food items for UAE distribution.
Dry goods and staples	Rice, lentils, pulses, pasta, cereals, and dried staple food products for retail and food service distribution.

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.

Planning to set up your business in Dubai? Explore our comprehensive guide on How to Start a Food and Beverages Business with Meydan Free Zone, covering licensing requirements, costs, approvals, and the step-by-step business setup process.

References

¹ USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. (2025). UAE Retail Foods Annual 2024. fas.usda.gov

Start your business with Meydan Free Zone

Enter your full name

Enter phone number

Enter email address

Enter Business Activity

Current Country of Residence

I confirm that I have read and understood Meydan Free Zone’s Terms and Privacy Policy and consent to the processing of my personal data for the purposes of communication and service delivery. I agree to be contacted via email, phone, or WhatsApp. I acknowledge that Meydan Free Zone operates 24/7 and that contact may occur outside standard business hours, including after 6:00 PM UAE time.

I further acknowledge that Meydan Free Zone will never request passwords, one-time passcodes (OTPs), or payments to personal or unknown bank accounts and that I should verify any suspicious or unexpected communication by calling 800 FZ1 (800 391) before taking any action.

Get a Call

Our dedicated sales team
will reach out shortly to provide the help you need.

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.