Alcoholic
Alcoholic Drinks

Alcoholic Drinks in the United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates

Euromonitor International's Alcoholic Drinks in the United Arab Emirates market report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data, allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market - be they new product developments, packaging innovations, economic/lifestyle influences, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts illustrate how the market is set to change.

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Tables: 99  |  Publication date: Feb 2008
Cost: 
GBP475.00

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  • Get insight into trends in market performance
  • Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change
  • Identify market and brand leaders and understand the competitive environment

Product coverage

Beer; Cider/perry; RTDs/High-strength premixes; Spirits; Wine

Executive summary

Increasing Demand

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven Emirates or states. These are Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al-Khaimah, Umm Al-Qaiwain, Sharjah, Ajman and Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE. Each of the Emirates is virtually independent and can apply its own laws, especially those relating to sales and consumption of alcoholic drinks. Sharjah, for example is an alcohol-free state and it is not possible to buy alcohol at all, not even in the most exclusive restaurants. Other states on the other hand, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi are witnessing an economical boom which is attracting tourism, increased business activities and foreign investments. This as a result is increasing the demand on the Alcoholic drinks sales in the UAE as it is mainly dependant on non-Islamic faiths which includes tourist and Western expatriates.

Non-Muslim expatriates drive demand

The native population of the UAE is composed principally of Arabs and Bedouin. However, these comprise only around a quarter of the total population, with the remainder being expatriate and immigrant workers, including Asian, Arab, European and American expatriates. Alcohol is available for non-Muslims in hotels, hotel bars and hotel restaurants. Non-Muslim expatriate workers can also get a liquor license to allow them to buy alcohol for home consumption. Thus the demand on specific types of alcoholic drinks including beer, wine, and Champaign is more pronounced.

Competition limited to two suppliers

Despite being a leading tourist destination, the UAE is a Muslim country with Sharia law, which prohibits the consumption and purchase of alcohol. This limited alcoholic drinks to only two major suppliers and distributors who are not owners of any of the brands. The two companies are Maritime & Mercantileternational (MMI) and African & Eastern NE BVI Ltd. The latter imports mainly world-renowned alcoholic drinks brands, ranging from beer to spirits, to the UAE. The company owns five specialist outlets selling only alcoholic drinks in Dubai and has branches in other Gulf countries including Oman. Whilst, MMI distributes alcoholic drinks on behalf of client companies throughout the UAE, the company also issues liquor licences to non-Muslims that allow them to legally purchase alcoholic drinks.

On-trade registers higher sales

Being a Muslim country, the UAE not only restricts the number of alcoholic drinks suppliers but also restricts the number of alcoholic drinks retailers. Due to this restriction, the main distribution channel for alcoholic drinks is the on-trade, including hotels, restaurants and hotel-related foodservice such as bars and restaurants. Tourism therefore plays a major role in increasing demand through on-trade channels. Non-Muslim expatriates are restricted to annual purchasing limits, which they obtain through a license.

Outlook is bright

The forecast growth for alcoholic drinks will not only be dependant on foreign expatriates workers but also heavily related to tourism activities. The UAE and specifically Dubai have been a tourist attraction for many years. Most tourists come from Western Europe and America, due to the high cost of living in the UEA making it too expensive for most Arab tourists. Demand for alcoholic drinks will therefore grow in line with growth in tourism. Moreover, the UAE is dependant on foreign workers, particularly Western European and US experts, who will also support growth during the forecast period.

Table of contents

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES : MARKET INSIGHT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Increasing Demand

Non-Muslim expatriates drive demand

Competition limited to two suppliers

On-trade registers higher sales

Outlook is bright

KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS

UAE benefits from booming economy

Growth driven by tourism

A Muslim country with some religious diversity

On-trade vs off-trade trends

Specialist retailers

Summary 1 Leading Specialist Retailers 2006

Market merger and acquisition activity

MARKET BACKGROUND

Legislation

TAXATION AND DUTY LEVIES

Summary 2 Taxation and Duty Levies on Alcoholic Drinks 2007

Table 1 Typical Wholesaler and Retailer Off-trade Mark-ups by Selected Sectors 2007

Table 2 Selling Margin of a Typical Imported Beer Brand 2007: Brauerei Beck GmbH & Co’s Beck’s

Table 3 Selling Margin of a Typical Imported Wine Brand 2007: Southcorp Holdings Ltd’s Lindeman’s

Table 4 Selling Margin of a Typical Imported Spirits Brand 2007: Bacardi & Co Ltd’s Bacardi Superior

OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

MARKET INDICATORS

Table 5 Retail Consumer Expenditure on Alcoholic Drinks 2002-2007

MARKET DATA

Table 6 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 7 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: Total Value 2002-2007

Table 8 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: % Total Volume Growth 2002-2007

Table 9 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: % Total Value Growth 2002-2007

Table 10 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector by On-trade vs Off-trade split: Volume 2007

Table 11 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector by On-trade vs Off-trade split: Value 2007

Table 12 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector by On-trade vs Off-trade split: % Volume 2007

Table 13 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector by On-trade vs Off-trade split: % Value 2007

Table 14 Company Shares of Alcoholic Drinks by Global Brand Owner 2003-2006

Table 15 Off-trade Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Distribution Format: % Value Analysis 2007

Table 16 Off-trade Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector and Distribution Format: % Volume Analysis 2007

Table 17 Forecast Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: Total Volume 2007-2012

Table 18 Forecast Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: Total Value 2007-2012

Table 19 Forecast Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: % Total Volume Growth 2007-2012

Table 20 Forecast Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: % Total Value Growth 2007-2012

DEFINITIONS

BEER

Headlines

Trends

Competitive Landscape

Prospects

Sector Background

Summary 3 Lager by Price Band 2007

Sector Data

Table 21 Sales of Beer by Subsector: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 22 Sales of Beer by Subsector: Total Value 2002-2007

Table 23 Sales of Beer by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2002-2007

Table 24 Sales of Beer by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2002-2007

Table 25 Sales of Beer by On-trade vs Off-trade split: Volume 2002-2007

Table 26 Sales of Beer by On-trade vs Off-trade split: Value 2002-2007

Table 27 Sales of Beer by On-trade vs Off-trade split: % Volume Growth 2002-2007

Table 28 Sales of Beer by On-trade vs Off-trade split: % Value Growth 2002-2007

Table 29 Company Shares of Beer by National Brand Owner 2002-2006

Table 30 Company Shares of Beer by Global Brand Owner 2002-2006

Table 31 Brand Shares of Beer 2003-2006

Table 32 Forecast Sales of Beer by Subsector: Total Volume 2007-2012

Table 33 Forecast Sales of Beer by Subsector: Total Value 2007-2012

Table 34 Forecast Sales of Beer by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2007-2012

Table 35 Forecast Sales of Beer by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2007-2012

WINE

Headlines

Trends

Competitive Landscape

Prospects

Sector Data

Table 36 Sales of Wine by Subsector: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 37 Sales of Wine by Subsector: Total Value 2002-2007

Table 38 Sales of Wine by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2002-2007

Table 39 Sales of Wine by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2002-2007

Table 40 Sales of Wine by On-trade vs Off-trade split: Volume 2002-2007

Table 41 Sales of Wine by On-trade vs Off-trade split: Value 2002-2007

Table 42 Sales of Wine by On-trade vs Off-trade split: % Volume Growth 2002-2007

Table 43 Sales of Wine by On-trade vs Off-trade split: % Value Growth 2002-2007

Table 44 Forecast Sales of Wine by Subsector: Total Volume 2007-2012

Table 45 Forecast Sales of Wine by Subsector: Total Value 2007-2012

Table 46 Forecast Sales of Wine by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2007-2012

Table 47 Forecast Sales of Wine by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2007-2012

SPIRITS

Headlines

Trends

Competitive Landscape

Prospects

Sector Background

Sector Data

Table 48 Sales of Spirits by Subsector: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 49 Sales of Spirits by Subsector: Total Value 2002-2007

Table 50 Sales of Spirits by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2002-2007

Table 51 Sales of Spirits by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2002-2007

Table 52 Sales of Spirits by On-trade vs Off-trade split: Volume 2002-2007

Table 53 Sales of Spirits by On-trade vs Off-trade split: Value 2002-2007

Table 54 Sales of Spirits by On-trade vs Off-trade split: % Volume Growth 2002-2007

Table 55 Sales of Spirits by On-trade vs Off-trade split: % Value Growth 2002-2007

Table 56 Company Shares of Spirits by National Brand Owner 2002-2006

Table 57 Company Shares of Spirits by Global Brand Owner 2002-2006

Table 58 Brand Shares of Spirits 2003-2006

Table 59 Forecast Sales of Spirits by Subsector: Total Volume 2007-2012

Table 60 Forecast Sales of Spirits by Subsector: Total Value 2007-2012

Table 61 Forecast Sales of Spirits by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2007-2012

Table 62 Forecast Sales of Spirits by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2007-2012

CIDER/PERRY

Headlines

Trends

Competitive Landscape

Prospects

Sector Data

Table 63 Sales of Cider/Perry: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 64 Sales of Cider/Perry: Total Value 2002-2007

Table 65 Sales of Cider/Perry: % Total Volume Growth 2002-2007

Table 66 Sales of Cider/Perry: % Total Value Growth 2002-2007

Table 67 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of Cider/Perry: Volume 2002-2007

Table 68 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of Cider/Perry: Value 2002-2007

Table 69 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of Cider/Perry: % Volume Growth 2002-2007

Table 70 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of Cider/Perry: % Value Growth 2002-2007

Table 71 Company Shares of Cider/Perry by National Brand Owner 2002-2006

Table 72 Company Shares of Cider/Perry by Global Brand Owner 2002-2006

Table 73 Brand Shares of Cider/Perry 2003-2006

Table 74 Forecast Sales of Cider/Perry: Total Volume 2007-2012

Table 75 Forecast Sales of Cider/Perry: Total Value 2007-2012

Table 76 Forecast Sales of Cider/Perry: % Total Volume Growth 2007-2012

Table 77 Forecast Sales of Cider/Perry: % Total Value Growth 2007-2012

RTDS/HIGH-STRENGTH PREMIXES

Headlines

Trends

Competitive Landscape

Prospects

Sector Data

Table 78 Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 79 Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: Total Value 2002-2007

Table 80 Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2002-2007

Table 81 Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2002-2007

Table 82 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes: Volume 2002-2007

Table 83 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes: Value 2002-2007

Table 84 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes: % Volume Growth 2002-2007

Table 85 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes: % Value Growth 2002-2007

Table 86 Company Shares of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Global Brand Owner 2002-2006

Table 87 Company Shares of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by National Brand Owner 2002-2006

Table 88 Brand Shares of RTDS/High-strength Premixes 2003-2006

Table 89 Forecast Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: Total Volume 2007-2012

Table 90 Forecast Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: Total Value 2007-2012

Table 91 Forecast Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2007-2012

Table 92 Forecast Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2007-2012

AFRICAN & EASTERN NE BVI LTD

Strategic Direction

Key Facts

Summary 4 African & Eastern NE BVI Ltd: Key Facts

Company Background

Prodution

Competitive Positioning

AL AHRAM BEVERAGES CO (ABC)

Strategic Direction

Key Facts

Summary 5 Al Ahram Beverages Co (ABC): Key Facts

Company Background

Production

Competitive Positioning

Summary 6 Al Ahram Beverages Co (ABC): Competitive Position 2007

MARITIME & MERCANTILE INTERNATIONAL LLC (MMI)

Strategic Direction

Key Facts

Summary 7 Maritime & Mercantile International LLC (MMI): Key Facts

Company Background

Production

Competitive Positioning

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