UAE's First Local Kefir Enters Market Al Ain Farms Group has launched Al Ain Farms Kefir, the first locally produced authentic kefir in the UAE. The product is made from fresh local milk using traditional fermentation methods and a proprietary blend of more than 12 probiotic strains. The launch arrives as demand for functional fermented foods accelerates across the region. The UAE kefir market is projected to reach $23.1 million by 2030, according to the company.

Differentiation Strategy The product targets an important distinction in the local market: authentic kefir's tangy taste profile differs from laban and smoothies common in UAE consumer experience. Consumer testing among Eastern European and CIS communities familiar with traditional kefir scored the product 4.7 out of 5 for taste authenticity, with a 71% consumption rate among test respondents. Milana Boskovic, Chief Marketing and R&D Officer at Al Ain Farms Group, said: "When we set out to develop Al Ain Farms Kefir, we wanted to stay true to the authentic kefir that consumers know and recognise from around the world, while making it more accessible through local production in the UAE." She added: "The range was developed using specific trade skills of fermentation with authentic kefir grains - a knowledge that comes from best practices in countries that have a long-standing kefir tradition. This has helped us develop and launch the distinctive taste and benefits of first true kefir in UAE market."

Product Range and Availability Al Ain Farms Kefir is available in three variants: Original (traditional tangy taste), Strawberry, and Blueberry. Products are stocked at Carrefour, Lulu Hypermarkets, ADNOC service stations, and online platforms including noon, Amazon, and Talabat across the UAE. Al Ain Farms Group, part of Abu Dhabi–based Ghitha Holding PJSC, operates an integrated farm-to-shelf model spanning dairy, poultry, eggs, and juice production.

Why It Matters

For UAE foodservice operators and retailers, this launch signals growing consumer appetite for functional fermented dairy beyond yogurt and laban. The product positions locally made kefir as a differentiated wellness offering targeting both expatriate communities and health-conscious residents seeking authentic, probiotic-rich alternatives.

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Written by FBM Publications Editors