Animal feed wholesale serves the UAE’s dairy, poultry, livestock, and aquaculture sectors. The UAE imports substantial volumes of animal feed ingredients, including soybean meal, corn, alfalfa hay, and feed additives, primarily from the USA, Argentina, Brazil, India, and Australia.¹ Dubai serves as the regional re-export hub for animal feed materials supplying GCC and East African markets.

The UAE’s growing food security initiatives have driven increased domestic production of dairy, poultry, and aquaculture, which in turn drives sustained feed import demand. Margins on animal feed wholesale typically run 4 to 12%, with specialty feed additives commanding higher margins than bulk commodity ingredients.²

This sub-activity covers wholesale of animal feed materials and agricultural by-products.

4620.07 - Wholesale of agricultural material, waste, residues and by products used for animal feed

Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed wholesale trading business in agricultural materials, waste, residues, and animal feed ingredients, including grain by-products, oilseed meals, hay, fodder, and feed additives for the UAE and regional livestock sectors.

Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, systems, and qualified personnel.¹

What Does the Animal Feed Materials Wholesale Trading Licence Cover?

• Wholesale of animal feed materials and agricultural by-products: bulk wholesale trading to retailers, distributors, and food service clients.

• Direct import operations: sourcing from international suppliers with customs clearance and trade documentation.

• Re-export to regional markets: supplying GCC, African, and Asian buyers from Dubai-based operations.

• B2B supply to UAE buyers: serving hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, manufacturers, and processors.

• Storage and distribution: warehouse operations and onward distribution to wholesale and B2B clients.

Who Is This For?

• Importers and wholesalers serving UAE food manufacturers, hospitality clients, and distributors.

• Re-export specialists supplying GCC, African, and Asian markets from Dubai.

• Established traders expanding their product portfolio into animal feed materials and agricultural by-products.

• International suppliers entering the UAE market through their own trading entity.

Activity Scope

This licence covers wholesale trading of animal feed materials and agricultural by-products. Retail sale and processed product trading have different codes.

In short: if you wholesale animal feed materials and agricultural by-products to B2B buyers, you are in. For retail sales to consumers, you need a different licence category.

Licensing & Compliance

Standard free zone licensing applies. Imported food products must meet Dubai Municipality Food Safety Department standards and obtain relevant Food Code certifications before sale into the UAE market. Re-export operations typically have lighter documentation requirements.

Cost & Investment

Setup costs at Dubai South Business Hub start from approximately AED 15,000 to AED 25,000 per year for licence and warehouse package. Inventory investment is a significant additional capital commitment depending on product volume. Use the cost calculator for tailored pricing.

Setup Steps

1. Verify name with company name check.

2. Select Animal Feed Materials Wholesale Trading (4620.07) from the business activities directory.

3. Choose office and warehouse package matching trading volume.

4. Submit passport copies, MOA, and lease.

5. Receive licence within 5 to 10 working days.

6. Process visas for staff.

Why Dubai for Animal Feed Materials Wholesale Trading?

Dubai’s position as the regional food trading hub, Jebel Ali Port infrastructure, and the UAE’s status as a major food re-export gateway create exceptional conditions for wholesale traders. Free zones offer 100% foreign ownership, zero customs duty on re-exports to GCC and Africa, and tax efficiency on trading income.

References

1. India Ministry of Food Processing Industries, UAE Food Processing Country Profile: mofpi.gov.in/uae-country-profile

2. IMARC Group, UAE Food Service Market: imarcgroup.com/uae-food-service-market