UAE fresh food sales is expected to increase from around 2.8 million tonnes in 2015 to around 3.6 million tonnes in 2019, marking a rise of 28.5 per cent, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry said.

Meanwhile the retail value of packaged food sales is forecast to rise from around Dh16 billion ($4.35 billion) in 2015 to around Dh23.1 billion ($6.38 billion) by 2019, the statement added.

KPMG said in its UAE Food and Beverage Survey, said that 66 per cent of respondents eat dinner out at least once during the week. Casual dining restaurants, quick service restaurants and food courts are the most popular F&B choices for UAE residents.

Youssef Jammal, a regional hospitality expert based in the UAE and head of hospitality and retail in ‘The H Holding Enterprise’, a leading investment group, said that local investment in new F&B outlets and the active franchise market in the UAE both indicate that the F&B franchise market will continue to grow.

“F&B is the sector that doesn’t invite consumers to change their habits due to uncertainty in the global economy,” said Jammal quoting the survey.

“Dubai F&B market is raising the competition bar to new levels. The UAE competitive market suggests more investments on all scales of innovation, variety and concept,” added Jammal.

“Family-oriented restaurants are the most occupied throughout the week. We, at The H Holding Enterprise, have took the dinning-out experience to a whole new level. Dining in the UAE is part of the unique lifestyle of nationals, residents and even visitors,” explained Jammal.

More 1,600 F&B outlets could open by 2019, according to a report from KPMG. The firm estimates the F&B sector to grow an average of 4 per cent annually over the next three years.

The H Holding Enterprise, which has operations in various investment sectors, currently runs several F&B and entertainment outlets, including Monte Carlo Stars, Cash and L Club.

"Expansions in this vital and vibrant sector have been very rewarding. We have allocated higher budgets for expanding into new projects in Dubai's F&B sector," concluded Jammal. – TradeArabia News Service