How to Start a Ice Cream Trading Business with Meydan Free Zone

May 18, 2026

Last Updated on Jul 20, 2026

How to Start a Ice Cream Trading Business with Meydan Free Zone

Ice cream is one of the UAE's most commercially active and climate-driven food categories, with year-round demand sustained by summer temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius and a growing premium and artisan segment driven by the country's affluent and innovation-hungry consumer base. The UAE ice cream market reached USD 379.11 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 493.36 million by 2033 at a CAGR of 2.97%.[1] Impulse ice creams in single-serve format account for over 60% of the market.[2] In 2024, Pure Ice Cream announced an AED 80 million investment in a new Dubai Industrial City facility, and Ferrero rolled out its Kinder Bueno, Ferrero Rocher, and Raffaello ice cream range in the UAE with a dramatic Palm Jumeirah launch event.

The viral 2024 Dubai Chocolate trend found immediate expression in ice cream formats, demonstrating the category's agility and consumer engagement.

Who is this for?

Audience Segment	Profile
RETAIL AND CONSUMER	Ice Cream Retailers and Distributors Distributors and retailers supplying ice cream in all formats to UAE supermarkets, convenience stores, petrol stations, vending machines, and retail channels.
PREMIUM AND FOOD SERVICE	Premium and Food Service Ice Cream Traders Traders supplying artisan and premium ice cream, gelato, sorbet, and frozen dessert products to UAE hotels, restaurants, beach clubs, and specialist dessert outlets.

4721.96 - Ice Cream Trading

Infographic: How to Start a Ice Cream Trading Business with Meydan Free Zone

Activity 4721.96 covers the trading of ice cream. This encompasses impulse ice cream bars and lollies, tubs and cartons of take-home ice cream, gelato, sorbet, frozen yoghurt, dairy-free and vegan ice cream, premium and artisan ice cream in all formats, soft-serve mix, and all frozen dessert products sold and distributed through retail and food service channels.

Activity 4721.96 covers ice cream trading. Ice (non-dairy, food-grade cooling ice) falls under activity 4721.82.

In short: if you are trading ice cream and frozen dessert products, you are in. Cooling ice falls under 4721.82.

Category	Scope
Impulse and single-serve ice creamIce cream bars, cornetto-style cones, lollies, and individually wrapped ice cream for impulse purchase channels.	Dairy-free and health ice cream Vegan, oat-milk, coconut-milk, and reduced-calorie ice cream products for the UAE's growing health-conscious consumer segment.
Take-home tubs and cartons500ml to 2-litre tubs, litre cartons, and family-format ice cream packaging for supermarket and retail take-home.	Soft-serve mix and foodservice formats Soft-serve ice cream mix, large catering tubs, and food service frozen dessert products for restaurants, cafes, and dessert outlets.
Premium and artisan ice cream	Artisan gelato, single-origin ice cream, premium flavour ice cream, and high-quality frozen dessert products for premium retail and food service.

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 Street Sweeping and Snow and Ice Removal License in Dubai, covering licensing requirements, costs, approvals, and the step-by-step business setup process.

References

¹ IMARC Group. (2025). UAE Ice Cream Market Size. imarcgroup.com
² Credence Research. (2025). UAE Ice Cream Market. credenceresearch.com

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