Today's Edition
BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
The UAE has long played a pivotal role in the regional spice trade, not just as a consumer market, but as a commercial gateway linking global producers in Asia and consumers across the Gulf, Middle East and Africa.
From cardamom-laced Arabic coffee to complex biryani spice blends, the UAE's relationship with spices is both deep-rooted and globally connected.
According to Hamid Al Zaabi, Chairman of Bawabt Liwa Food Industries (Liwa Gate), the UAE's spice market is shaped by a dynamic mix of tradition, convenience and evolving consumer tastes.
Based on daily sales across retail, wholesale, and HORECA (hotels, restaurants, and cafés) channels, he said, there are three major categories dominating demand.
First, there are the staples of Gulf kitchens: Cardamom, saffron, black pepper, turmeric, cumin and coriander.
"These are the foundations of everyday Emirati and regional cooking, with cardamom and saffron also closely tied to hospitality, gifting and ceremonial use," Al Zaabi told Aletihad.
Then come the ready-to-use spice blends, such as kabsa, mandi, biryani, and shawarma spices, which are gaining ground rapidly, as they save time, especially for working families and restaurants looking for standardised taste, he explained.
Lastly, there is a growing segment of health-conscious spices such as ginger and turmeric, as well as organic or low-additive options, driven by broader wellness trends, according to Al Zaabi.
He noted that consumer behaviour is also shifting towards premiumisation. "Shoppers today are more likely to ask about the source, grade, and purity of what they buy, especially when it comes to saffron and cardamom, where quality differences can be stark."
What sets the UAE apart is not just its diverse local market, it is the country's strategic role in the regional spice supply chain, Al Zaabi said.
"The UAE is a platform for trade and re-export. With major trading zones like DMCC, world-class logistics infrastructure, and flexible free zone regulations, the UAE serves as a conduit for spice flows from countries like India, China, and Iran to Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, and East Africa," he added.
On the demand side, the expanding hospitality sector, including restaurants, cafés, and hotel kitchens, drives up consumption, particularly of black pepper and spice blends, Al Zaabi said. Additionally, festivals, Ramadan, wedding seasons, and winter months remain high-demand periods, with spikes in retail and HORECA orders alike.Al Zaabi stated that in 2023, the UAE imported approximately $123 million worth of spices under the HS 0910 category – covering spices such as saffron, ginger, turmeric, bay leaves, and curry powder – while exporting spices worth $105 million.
Broader figures from Trading Economics estimate UAE imports of the full HS 09 category –coffee, tea, mate, and spices – at $1.43 billion in 2024, reflecting the scale of the commodity segment within the national food system, he added.
The country's ability to extract value doesn't stop at trade, Al Zaabi noted, as there is increasing investment in processing, packaging, and blending, turning bulk imports into high-margin, ready-to-cook blends or premium packaged spices for supermarkets and the food service sector.
"Rather than selling raw, unprocessed spices, we are now adding local value, and that supports local manufacturing, job creation, and higher margins," Al Zaabi explained.
