UAE consumers say French cheese please

French cheese demand has grown significantly across the UAE according to French trade organisation Sopexa and one of the region’s leading chefs.

The range of French cheeses available in the Middle East, particularly in the UAE, has “broadened considerably” in recent years, according to Sopexa who claimed that countries like the UAE traditionally consumed processed cheeses.

This trend is changing however, and locals are now more open to a wider and more sophisticated range.

Emirates Culinary Guild president Uwe Micheel said: “Expatriate residents in the UAE, whose number has increased sharply in recent years, are now inclined to explore new culinary experiences.

“They wish to enjoy a comprehensive and high-quality range of products — even the local population is showing a growing interest in French cheeses.”

Micheel, who also works as Radisson SAS, Dubai Deira Creek, director of kitchens, added that the changing demand is partly due to improved communication and promotional material from the French Dairy Association.

Speciality cheeses including Camembert, Brie, Emmental and Cantal have become a more widespread sight across both the region’s retail and F&B markets.

A statement by Sopexa added: “The evolution of the demand has led to profound changes in the market structure — the number of French cheese importers has grown, resulting in a market that is more fragmented, highly competitive and attuned to consumer needs.”