Sustainable Insights

April 2025

Sustainable Food and Consumption, Food Waste, and Management in the UAE

Sustainable food consumption in the UAE emphasizes balancing cultural traditions with innovative agricultural methods to ensure access to nutritious, locally produced food while conserving scarce natural resources.

The UAE is a nation of contrasts-towering skyscrapers rise from desert sands, and a rapidly growing population thrives in a region where natural resources like water and Arable land are scarce. As the country continues its ambitious journey toward economic diversification and global leadership, sustainability has emerged as a critical focus, particularly in the realm of food and consumption.

With a heavy reliance on food imports, a burgeoning population, and a culture of hospitality that often leads to excess, the UAE faces unique challenges in ensuring sustainable food systems, reducing food waste, and managing resources effectively.

The Multitude of Food in the UAE

Food plays a vital role in the UAE, not only as a necessity but as a reflection of the country’s culture, heritage, and progress. Traditionally, Emirati cuisine was shaped by the desert environment, relying on dates, seafood, and locally sourced ingredients. However, with globalization, the UAE has transformed into a culinary hub, embracing diverse flavors and international cuisines. As a desert nation, food security is a key priority. The UAE has taken significant steps toward sustainable agriculture, investing in hydroponics, vertical farming, and alternative protein sources to reduce reliance on imports. These innovations align with the country’s broader vision of sustainability an food resilience.

Additionally, food plays a central role in hospitality and social traditions. Sharing meals is a deeply rooted cultural practice, reflecting values of generosity and community. Whether in traditional majlis settings or fine-dining experiences, food fosters connections among people. With a growing focus on health and sustainability, plant-based diets and organic food options are gaining popularity. Restaurants and retailers are adapting to this shift, offering more ethical and eco-friendly choices. As the UAE continues its journey toward a more sustainable future, food remains a powerful symbol of progress, tradition, and innovation.

The UAE’s food system is shaped by its geography and demographics. With only about 0.77% of its land suitable for agriculture due to arid conditions, the country imports approximately 85-90% of its food supply, according to recent estimates from the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE). This reliance on imports, while ensuring a diverse and abundant food supply, poses risks related to global supply chain disruptions, price volatility, and a significant carbon footprint from transportation. The UAE’s population, which exceeds 10 million and includes a large expatriate community, drives high demand for food, particularly in urban centers like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah.

The UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051 envisions transforming the country into a world-leading hub for innovation-driven food security. The UAE secured the top spot in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and ranked 23rd globally in the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) 2022. This initiative aims to position the UAE as the global leader in the Global Food Security Index by 2051 and within the top 10 countries in the near future. Published annually, the GFSI tracks and evaluates changes in key structural factors influencing food security-such as affordability, availability, quality, safety, and the sustainability of natural resources-across 113 countries.

As part of this long-term strategy, the UAE is committed to increasing domestic production of strategic food items by over 100 tons while also enhancing sustainability by reducing agricultural water consumption from 8.2 million cubic meters in 2016 to 7.1 million by 2036.

Sustainable Food and Consumption: A Growing Priority

Sustainability in food and consumption involves balancing the need to feed a growing population with the imperative to minimize environmental impact, conserve resources, and ensure long-term food security. In the UAE, this challenge is being met with a combination of government-led initiatives, private-sector innovation, and societal shifts. One cornerstone of the UAE’s sustainable food strategy is the National Food Security Strategy 2051, launched in 2018 and continuously refined. This ambitious plan aims to position the UAE among the top nations in the Global Food Security Index by mid-century. Key pillars include diversifying food import sources, boosting local production through advanced agricultural technologies, and promoting sustainable consumption habits.

This ambitious plan aims to position the UAE among the top nations in the Global Food Security Index by mid-century. Key pillars include diversifying food import sources, boosting local production through advanced agricultural technologies, and promoting sustainable consumption habits.

There are over 35,000 farms currently operating in the UAE, many of which utilize modern irrigation and hydroponic techniques to cultivate crops using minimal water while closely monitoring the impact on yield.

Local food production is a critical focus. The UAE has invested heavily in agritech solutions such as vertical farming, hydroponics, and desalination-powered irrigation. Companies like Pure Harvest and Emirates Hydroponics Farms are leading the charge, growing fresh produce in controlled environments that use up to 90% less water than traditional farming.

These innovations reduce reliance on imports and align with the UAE’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

On the consumption side, awareness campaigns like the “Ne’ma” initiative, launched by MOCCAE in collaboration with local partners, encourage residents to adopt mindful eating habits, reduce portion sizes, and plan meals to avoid waste. These efforts are gaining traction, particularly among younger generations and expatriates who are increasingly attuned to global sustainability trends. The UAE Cabinet launched the Emirates Council for Food Security (ECSF) to strengthen the efforts of national authorities to achieve food security, as well as to meet the goals of the National Food Security Strategy.

The Food Waste Challenge

Despite these strides, food waste remains a significant hurdle. The UAE generates an estimated 3.5 million tons of food waste annually, with per capita waste levels among the highest in the world. A 2023 report by the UAE Food Bank indicated that approximately 38% of food prepared in the country goes uneaten, with households, restaurants, and hotels being the primary contributors. During Ramadan, a time of communal feasting, food waste spikes by as much as 25%, driven by over preparation and cultural norms of offering abundant spreads.

The environmental and economic toll of this waste is substantial. Decomposing food in landfills releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas, exacerbating climate change-a critical concern for a nation already grappling with rising temperatures. Economically, the UAE loses billions of dirhams each year due to discarded food, a figure that contrasts sharply with its aspirations for resource efficiency.

Several factors contribute to this waste. In households, a lack of meal planning and over purchasing are common culprits. In the hospitality sector, large portion sizes and all-you-can-eat buffets staples of the UAE’s tourism-driven economy-often result in uneaten food being discarded. Additionally, stringent aesthetic standards for produce mean that “imperfect” fruits and vegetables are frequently rejected by retailers and consumers alike, even when they are perfectly edible.

Management and Solutions

Addressing food waste and promoting sustainable consumption in the UAE requires a multi pronged approach, and the country is making notable progress through policy, technology, and community engagement.

1. Policy and Regulation: The UAE government has introduced measures to curb waste, such as fines for excessive food disposal by businesses and incentives for companies adopting sustainable practices. The UAE Food Bank, established in 2017, plays a pivotal role by redistributing surplus food from hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets to those in need, both locally and internationally. By 2025, the Food Bank aims to divert 50% of the country’s edible surplus food from landfills, a target that reflects growing coordination between public and private sectors.

2. Technological Innovation: Technology is a game-changer in waste management. Smart bins equipped with sensors, such as those piloted in Dubai, track food waste patterns and provide data to optimize collection and disposal. Apps like “Winnow,” used by hotels and restaurants, help kitchens monitor and reduce waste by identifying which dishes are most often left uneaten. Meanwhile, companies like BEEAH Group are pioneering waste-to-energy projects, converting organic waste into biogas and compost, thereby closing the loop on food disposal.

3. Circular Economy Approaches: The UAE is embracing circular economy principles to tackle food waste. For instance, initiatives like “Compost UAE” encourage households and businesses to compost organic waste, which is then used to enrich soil for local farming. This not only reduces landfill use but also supports the growth of sustainable agriculture in a desert environment.

4. Community Engagement: Grassroots efforts are complementing top down policies. Social media campaigns, school programs, and partnerships with influencers are raising awareness about food waste and sustainable consumption. The “Save Food UAE” movement, for example, encourages residents to share recipes for leftovers and pledge to reduce waste, fostering a cultural shift toward frugality without compromising the UAE’s tradition of generosity.

The Road Ahead

Today, the UAE stands at a crossroads in its pursuit of sustainable food systems. The progress made in local production, waste management, and public awareness is commendable, yet challenges remain. Scaling up agritech solutions to meet a larger share of food demand, shifting consumer behavior in a culture accustomed to abundance, and integrating sustainability into the tourism and hospitality sectors will require sustained effort and investment.

The UAE’s unique position as a global leader offers an opportunity to set a precedent. By blending innovation with its cultural values, the country can demonstrate how a resource-scarce nation can achieve food security and sustainability. International events like Expo 2020 Dubai, held in 2021, showcased the UAE’s commitment to these goals, and ongoing collaborations with global partners continue to bring expertise and funding to the table.

Ultimately, sustainable food and consumption in the UAE are about more than just reducing waste or growing local crops-they are about reimagining a future where abundance coexists with responsibility.

The UAE is leveraging AI to combat food waste, integrating reverse demand planning into supply chains. Hotels like Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, which cut food waste by 20 tones (equivalent to 50,000 meals) in 2022, and Hilton, which reduced waste by 62% across 13 properties in 2023, use AI-driven tracking and forecasting systems to optimize operations.

Looking ahead, food waste valorization is poised to enhance the UAE’s strategy. By converting food waste into valuable products like compost, animal feed, or bioactive compounds, the UAE can reduce landfill pressure, generate economic opportunities, and advance a circular economy. This aligns with national sustainability and food security goals, reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to innovative waste management.

As the nation looks toward 2051 and beyond, its ability to balance tradition with innovation will determine its success in feeding its people while preserving its environment for generations to come.