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