Brazilian pet food wins new access to UAE market
Bottom line
Brazilian pet food has gained authorized access to the United Arab Emirates market after technical and sanitary negotiations between the two countries, according to reporting that cites Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The opening covers complete and complementary pet food, specific-purpose pet food, and chew products for dogs and cats under five HS codes, creating a new export channel for Brazilian manufacturers. The move comes as the UAE becomes a more relevant destination for Brazilian animal feed exports, with pet food already representing most of that trade, and as Brazil’s broader pet export business continues to grow. (globalpetindustry.com)
Why it matters: For veterinary professionals and industry stakeholders, this is another sign that pet nutrition supply chains are becoming more global, and more regulated. Export growth can expand product availability and manufacturing opportunities, but it also depends on compliance with destination-country rules on product registration, health certification, and labeling. In the UAE, pet food products must be registered and approved by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and labels must meet Arabic-language and other technical requirements. That means market access is meaningful, but commercial rollout will still depend on importer partnerships and regulatory execution. (apps.fas.usda.gov)
What to watch: Watch for the first Brazilian brands to secure UAE product registrations and importer agreements, which will show how quickly this market access turns into on-shelf presence. (apps.fas.usda.gov)
Brazilian pet food suppliers have won new access to the United Arab Emirates, opening the door for exports of dog and cat food products after bilateral technical and sanitary negotiations. The authorization, announced by Brazilian authorities and reported by trade media, applies to complete and complementary pet food, specific-purpose products, and chew items for dogs and cats across five customs classifications. (globalpetindustry.com)
The development lands at a time when Brazil is leaning harder into pet food exports. PetfoodIndustry reported that Brazil’s pet food segment accounted for 90.1% of the country’s pet-sector exports in 2025, totaling US$123.9 million, and that first-quarter 2026 sector exports were still rising year over year. That backdrop helps explain why a new Gulf market matters: it adds diversification at a moment when exporters are looking for growth beyond their traditional destinations. (petfoodindustry.com)
The UAE is a logical target. A USDA Foreign Agricultural Service market report says pet food products entering the UAE must be registered and approved by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, after which a local importer can apply for an import permit. The same report says exported pet food requires a government-issued health certificate, and packaging must meet Arabic labeling rules, including the statement that the product is for pets and not fit for human consumption. In other words, this is not just a diplomatic opening, but a practical regulatory pathway for trade. (apps.fas.usda.gov)
Brazil’s own export framework shows the same emphasis on compliance. MAPA says international movement of some animal feed products from registered establishments requires a sanitary certificate, and exporters must already be registered with the ministry, follow good manufacturing practices, and meet the importing country’s sanitary demands. The service page also states that the certification process can take up to 15 business days, underscoring that “market access” is only the first step in a longer commercialization process. (gov.br)
Industry reaction has focused on the UAE’s strategic value, not just its domestic demand. Reporting citing the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce said the authorization should make the UAE a more relevant market for Brazilian exporters. Separate coverage quoted the chamber’s secretary-general, Mohamad Mourad, saying the UAE can also function as a regional export hub, potentially helping Brazilian suppliers reach other Middle East markets over time. That’s an inference worth noting: the immediate opening is for the UAE, but the commercial significance may be broader if distributors use the country as a gateway. (globalpetindustry.com)
Market conditions in the UAE appear supportive. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, citing Euromonitor data, says foreign companies dominate dog and cat food sales there, while pet shops, superstores, and e-commerce are key channels. Another USDA FAS report says the UAE pet food market has expanded sharply over the past decade, reflecting changing attitudes toward companion animals and rising demand for convenience and premium products. That suggests Brazilian entrants will be stepping into a competitive market, but not a stagnant one. (agriculture.canada.ca)
Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, distributors, and pet nutrition companies, the bigger takeaway is that regulatory access increasingly shapes which products reach pet parents in fast-growing markets. New export corridors can improve supply resilience and create room for more formulation, manufacturing, and private-label activity, but they also raise the importance of documentation, ingredient transparency, and label compliance. In practice, veterinarians may not feel this change immediately in clinic, but over time it can influence which diets are available, which companies expand internationally, and how nutrition brands position themselves in emerging markets. (apps.fas.usda.gov)
What to watch: The next signals will be operational: product registrations with UAE authorities, named importer partnerships, and the first confirmed shipments. If those follow quickly, the September 1 authorization could become a meaningful new trade lane for Brazil’s pet food industry over the coming quarters. (globalpetindustry.com)