UAE Molasses Market Overview, 2030

The molasses industry in the UAE and around the world has gone through a major change—from being a byproduct of sugar refining during the colonial period to becoming a versatile product used in various sectors such as food, animal feed, fuel, and medicine. In regional and global markets, molasses is utilized for many purposes as a sweetener in cooking, a nutrient-filled ingredient in livestock diets, a substrate for fermentation in bioethanol production, and a mineral enhancer in health-related products. Historically, molasses made its debut through the processing of sugarcane in ancient India and was later spread through trade routes established by Arab merchants and European colonizers. Initially regarded as a discarded product or used only in the making of rum, its nutritional value and industrial uses led to the creation of various kinds light molasses for baking and sweets, dark molasses for sauces and processed foods, and blackstrap molasses for industrial and agricultural applications. These versions helped tackle issues related to sugar extraction efficiency and waste management. From a technical perspective, molasses is the thick syrup that remains after sugar crystallization, containing important minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium. It addresses practical issues by boosting nutritional intake, enhancing livestock wellbeing, and offering an economical option for fermentation-related industries. Its success is attributed to its low cost, rich nutrient profile, and versatility across different sectors. In the UAE, molasses is widely utilized in animal feed blends, traditional desserts, and increasingly in biofuel projects that support sustainability efforts. Advances in technology have been crucial for the growth of this market. Innovations in enzymatic hydrolysis, membrane filtration, and automated extraction have enhanced product quality and environmental sustainability. Leading firms are putting resources into organic molasses, traceable sourcing, and fermentation methods to satisfy the growing consumer interest and comply with regulations.

According to the research report, ""UAE Molasses Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the UAE Molasses market is anticipated to grow at more than 4.37% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. Recent changes indicate rapid shifts in product types blackstrap is emerging as the quickest expanding variety, while true molasses continues to generate the most revenue. The UAE ranks as one of the fastest expanding molasses markets in the Middle East and Africa, driven by diverse demand for food, animal feed, and fermentation, along with increased access in retail and eRetail channels. Key market players comprise Emirates Refining Company ERCO, Al Ghurair Resources, and IFFCO Group, in terms to international suppliers like ED&F Man and Bunge; they provide food- and feed-grade molasses, bulk supplies, and logistics capabilities to guarantee consistent quality, traceability, and year-round supply for producers and feed mills. Potential opportunities focus on three main areas biofuels and industrial fermentation aligned with national sustainability objectives and economical carbon sources, enhanced livestock nutrition improving taste, binding, and fermentable energy in mixed feed, and premiumization offering organic/traced grades and innovative formats such as dehydrated molasses catering to clean-label demands and allowing for re-export through the UAE’s logistics center. Compliance plays a crucial role in market access and credibility the Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme ECAS and, where necessary, the Emirates Quality Mark EQM enforced by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology oversee product compliance. ENAS-accredited organizations provide certification, while food businesses typically adopt ISO 22000/FSSC 22000 and HACCP, also implementing Halal certification and bilingual Arabic/English labels. These frameworks address issues of safety, adulteration, and quality inconsistency, streamline customs processes and retail integration, and minimize liability, thereby decreasing transaction barriers and promoting wider acceptance in regulated markets and exports.

The molasses market in the UAE by source is divided into sugarcane and beet. It is mainly impacted by sugarcane molasses, which mirrors international patterns. The ample supply of sugarcane molasses is linked to the UAE's relationships with key cane-producing countries such as India and Thailand, as well as logistical centers like Jebel Ali. Sugarcane molasses accommodates various applications, including fermentation, animal feed, and food products, fueled by the increasing markets for beverage syrups and ethnic foods. While it plays a supporting role, beet molasses is employed for fermentation, yeast creation, and as a binder in animal feed, primarily coming from Europe. Even though beet molasses is gaining traction, sugarcane still prevails due to global market influences. In the UAE’s molasses market, the source segmentation is determined by trade-led supply rather than local crop yield, with sugarcane molasses leading and sugar beet molasses taking on a supporting, application-specific function. Sugarcane molasses is predominant because its availability is wider and more economically viable from nearby sugarcane-producing regions India, Thailand, Brazil, aligning with the UAE's model of importing and re-exporting and its diverse end-use applications in food, animal feed, and industrial fermentation; this is in line with the UAE’s rapid market growth and the rising demand for heavier grades like blackstrap that meet fermentation and feed energy requirements. Plants derived from cane are preferred because of their fermentable sugar content, reliability, and year-round supply, which promote large-scale use in beverage syrups, baked goods, and products related to dates and desserts, as well as enhancing the taste and binding properties of compound animal feeds. Although sugar beet molasses has a smaller market presence, it occupies valuable niches.

In the UAE, the demand for molasses by end use is divided into Industrial, Food and Beverages, Biofuel, Animal Feed, Commercial and Household varies widely due to its adaptability and strong connections to both established and growing industries. Industrial uses are prominent, utilizing molasses in fermentation processes, the production of yeast and citric acid, and as a raw material for numerous biochemicals benefiting from the country's efforts towards enhancing non-oil manufacturing. The food and beverage sector remains strong, with molasses serving as a sweetener, flavor booster, and color agent in bakery products, sweets, sauces, and traditional Emirati cuisine, bolstered by the UAE’s status as a re-export center for processed food items. In the biofuel area, molasses is increasingly recognized as a key component for producing ethanol, aligning with environmental objectives and the nation's bioenergy plans, even though this field is smaller but significantly growing. The animal feed industry is another main consumer, where molasses enhances taste, binds feed components, and increases energy levels in diets for ruminants especially important for livestock operations in the UAE that depend significantly on imported feed materials. In the commercial realm, molasses is utilized in specific ways by catering businesses, specialty bakeries, and high-end food stores that target an expatriate-heavy market looking for varied flavors and natural ingredients. Finally, the household market, while not large in volume, shows a consistent demand for molasses as a sweetener for baking, marinades, and home health remedies, attracting health-conscious consumers drawn to its mineral properties. These sectors illustrate a UAE molasses market that is rooted in traditional applications while dynamically engaging with sustainability, food security, and innovative initiatives creating prospects for local processors and international vendors in a strategically placed, trade-focused economy.

In the UAE market for molasses, by Nature is divided into organic and conventional options, each serving different consumer groups and industrial requirements. Organic molasses, which comes from sugarcane or sugar beet that is grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, represents a small but expanding portion of the market, spurred by the increasing local appetite for high-quality, health-oriented, and sustainably sourced sweeteners. The organic products are mainly imported since the UAE does not have extensive sugar farming; suppliers obtain them from certified farms in countries such as India, Brazil, and some EU nations. Certification is crucial in this sector the goods have to comply with UAE organic guidelines, which often match USDA or EU standards, guaranteeing traceability and adherence to international organic practices. This has made organic molasses appealing to high-end bakeries, niche beverage companies, health-conscious families, and for re-export to other Gulf Cooperation Council nations. In contrast, conventional molasses leads the UAE market in volume, especially within industrial uses. It is produced from the processing of both sugarcane and sugar beet and is widely incorporated in food production like sauces, baked items, and candies, animal feed mixes particularly for cows and livestock, and in industrial fermentation for creating ethanol, yeast, and other bio-derived products. The UAE acts as a regional re-export center, meaning that conventional molasses fulfills local requirements while also catering to adjacent markets in Oman, Saudi Arabia, and East Africa. The lack of large domestic processing plants indicates that both organic and conventional supply chains greatly depend on effective port systems, especially at Jebel Ali, and robust quality control measures to ensure product quality in the region's warm climate. While organic molasses attracts a niche yet profitable segment in the UAE, conventional molasses continues to be the foundation of the market, providing adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and ample supply.

In the molasses market of the UAE, by type is divided into light molasses, dark molasses, and blackstrap molasses, each with unique applications and target consumers. Light molasses, derived from the initial boiling of sugarcane or sugar beet juice, exhibits a mild taste, a paler color, and a greater sugar percentage. This type is popular in the food and beverage industry in the UAE, especially for premium baked items, sweets, desserts, and Middle Eastern confections that require a touch of sweetness. Light molasses is utilized in commercial beverage syrups and is primarily imported from India, Egypt, and the European Union, ensuring consistent quality. Dark molasses, produced from the second boiling process, presents a bolder taste and deeper color, containing slightly reduced sugar content and increased minerals. In the UAE, it is used in savory marinades, barbecue sauces, unique condiments, and traditional dessert mixes with dates. The hospitality industry particularly luxury hotels and specialty dining establishments utilizes dark molasses to enhance flavors in fusion cooking. It is also part of brewing and distillation methods for craft drinks. Blackstrap molasses, a result of the third boiling, is the strongest, least sweet type, and is packed with minerals like iron, calcium, and potassium. In the UAE, it is mainly utilized in animal feed production for dairy and camel farms and in industrial fermentation for making ethanol, yeast, and bio-based chemicals. Blackstrap also has a specialized role in the health and wellness market, promoted as a natural supplement because of its nutrient richness. The UAE’s position as a re-export center means that all three molasses varieties meet local demands and are also exported to GCC and East African regions. While light and dark molasses are more directed towards food service and retail, blackstrap supports industrial and agricultural markets, leading to a balanced and varied molasses ecosystem.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Molasses Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Source
• Sugarcane
• Sugar Beet

By Type
• Light Molasses
• Dark Molasses
• Blackstrap Molasses

By Nature
• Organic
• Conventional

By End Use
• Industrial
• Food and Beverages
• Biofuel
• Animal Feed
• Commercial
• Household Show more