Aramtec

What Aramtec does

Aramtec is a 100% UAE-owned, family-owned foodservice distribution company founded in 1979, headquartered in Al Quoz, Dubai, with additional warehouse and distribution facilities in Abu Dhabi (Mussafah), Doha (Al Asiri, opened 2022) and Oman, and a stated headcount of 250+ employees. The company imports and distributes premium food service products — proteins (beef, chicken, lamb, veal), pastry and bakery ingredients, foodservice grocery, and seafood via its Aramtec Blue subsidiary — to over 2,500 F&B outlets and more than 4,000 customers daily across the GCC, including five-star hotels, fine-dining restaurants, airlines, institutions, and catering companies. Aramtec claims to be the largest importer of U.S. beef in the region and holds exclusive UAE distribution rights for multiple premium international brands (HUG, Échiré, Altınmarka, Pidy Gourmet, Bakels) alongside proprietary and exclusive private label brands (Farmer's Choice, Jumbuck, Taji Wagyu, Bela Carne, Baker's Choice, Stone Axe Wagyu).

The company's core technology stack comprises an in-house meat processing facility with dry-aging and commercial smoking capabilities, a 75-vehicle temperature-controlled fleet, HACCP-certified warehousing spanning dry, chilled and frozen storage across approximately 6,000 pallet positions, and a SAP (Private Edition) RISE enterprise resource planning system implemented across all Middle East locations (go-live April 2024) with HPE Aruba networking infrastructure. E-commerce and D2C operations are run on Shopify via Butchershop.ae (launched 2018). Aramtec also operates a Demo Kitchen venue, a wholly owned seafood subsidiary (Aramtec Blue), and runs marketing through trade shows (Gulfood, Gulfood Manufacturing, Expo Culinaire) and chef competitions.

Aramtec makes money primarily through wholesale B2B foodservice distribution on a transaction-fee basis, supplying recurring replenishment orders to commercial hospitality accounts across the UAE, Qatar and Oman. Secondary revenue streams include D2C e-commerce retail via Butchershop.ae (minimum AED 300 for free delivery within the UAE), private label sales of Farmer's Choice and other own-brand products to foodservice partners, and bespoke custom meat processing services. Pricing is largely unpublicized for B2B accounts, while retail pricing follows unit pricing with same-day delivery available in Dubai. The business is privately held with no external institutional investors, no public listing, and no disclosed financial results.

Name

Aramtec

Legal name

Aramtec LLC

Website

https://aramtec.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Aramtec is a UAE-based, family-owned foodservice distributor founded in 1979 that imports and distributes premium proteins, pastry, bakery and grocery products to over 2,500 F&B outlets across the GCC under its own and exclusive international brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Foodservice Distribution

NAICS

Meat and Meat Product Merchant Wholesalers (42447), Poultry and Poultry Product Merchant Wholesalers (42444), Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers (42446), Animal Slaughtering and Processing (3116)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140), Food And Kindred Products (2000), Sausages & Other Prepared Meat Products (2013), Prepared Fresh Or Frozen Fish & Seafoods (2092)

akta.pro primary industry

Meat, Poultry & Seafood Wholesale (AFAIABAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Frozen Meat, Poultry & Seafood Wholesale (AFAIAHAF), Import/Export Broadline Foodservice Distributors (AFAIAAAH), Institutional Foodservice Distribution (Education, Healthcare, Government) (CRAOABAM), Refrigerated Meat & Seafood (Processed/Packaged) (CRADACAK)

Keywords

• Foodservice distribution
• Premium meat import
• Bakery ingredients supply
• Hospitality food supply
• Protein products distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. B2B Foodservice Distribution: Primary revenue stream from importing and distributing premium food products (proteins, bakery, pastry, seafood, grocery) to commercial hospitality businesses including hotels, restaurants, airlines, institutions, and caterers. Operates on wholesale/bulk transaction model with regular replenishment orders from established B2B customers.
2. E-commerce Retail (Butchershop.ae): Online retail platform launched in 2018 for non-commercial customers including home chefs. Sells high-grade proteins, artisan products, and specialty items with home delivery across UAE. Minimum order AED 300 for free delivery.
3. Private Label (Farmer's Choice): Proprietary private label brand with over 60 SKUs including tomato ketchup, BBQ sauce, dairy products, proteins, and specialty items sold under the Farmer's Choice brand to foodservice partners.
4. Custom Processing Services: Custom meat processing services including signature burger blends, proprietary seasonings, and specific portion weights for foodservice clients. Bespoke product development partnership with professional kitchens.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Aramtec imports and distributes premium foodservice products (proteins, pastry & bakery, foodservice staples, and seafood) to hotels, restaurants, airlines, institutions, and caterers across the GCC. The company operates an in-house meat processing facility, temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics, and runs ButcherShop.ae as a retail e-commerce platform delivering restaurant-grade proteins to consumers in the UAE.

Product overview

Aramtec is a 100% UAE-owned foodservice distribution company founded in 1979, serving as both a broadline distributor and the largest importer of U.S. beef in the region. Its product portfolio is organized around three core divisions: (1) Proteins & Butchery — supplying premium beef (including USDA Prime/Choice, Australian Wagyu, and exclusive programs like Taji Wagyu and Bela Carne), lamb, veal, and poultry through owned brands (Farmer's Choice, Jumbuck, ButcherShop.ae) and international partners (American Foods Group, JBS, Tyson, Stone Axe Wagyu); (2) Pastry & Bakery — distributing over 20 international brands including HUG tartelettes (Switzerland), Échiré butter (France, PDO certified), Pidy Gourmet pastry products (Belgium), Baker's Choice (Aramtec's own Belgian-origin brand), and specialty ingredients from suppliers such as Altınmarka, Bakels, Cémoi, and Martin Braun; and (3) Foodservice — importing and distributing a wide range of commercial kitchen products including oils, sauces, flour, rice, and grocery staples. Supporting infrastructure includes an in-house meat processing facility (with dry-aging and smoking capabilities), a Demo Kitchen available for hire, and temperature-controlled logistics across Dubai (110,000 sq. ft.), Abu Dhabi (25,000 sq. ft.), and Qatar. The company also operates ButcherShop.ae, its retail e-commerce platform (launched 2018) making restaurant-grade proteins available to non-commercial consumers across the UAE.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Farmer's Choice: Private label brand with over 60 products including ketchup, BBQ sauce, dairy, proteins, and specialty items for foodservice partners.
• Bela Carne
• Jumbuck
• Taji Wagyu
• Baker's Choice

Products and services

• Proteins & Butchery Distribution Importing and distributing premium proteins (USDA Prime, Choice, Select, and Angus beef from American Foods Group, Australian Wagyu, Brazilian beef, U.S. milk-fed veal, lamb, and poultry) to hospitality customers across the GCC.
• Pastry & Bakery Distribution Distributing premium pastry and bakery ingredients including Swiss tartelettes (HUG), French artisan butter (Échiré), Belgian pastry products (Pidy Gourmet), chocolate, marzipan, glazes, fillings, premixes, and specialty ingredients to professional pastry chefs and bakeries.
• Foodservice Distribution Importing and distributing broadline foodservice products including oils, sauces, flour, rice, dairy, frozen potato products, and dry groceries to hotels, restaurants, airlines, institutions, and caterers across the GCC.
• Meat Processing Facility State-of-the-art in-house meat processing facility producing custom-made burgers, artisan sausages, marinated proteins, and precision portion-controlled cuts to client specifications. Includes a dry-aging facility and commercial smoker capable of smoking up to 100kg of brisket in one load.
• Logistics & Warehousing Temperature-controlled warehousing and distribution infrastructure across Dubai (110,000 sq. ft.) and Abu Dhabi (25,000 sq. ft.) with a fleet of 75+ temperature-controlled trucks. Storage spans dry, chilled, and frozen facilities totaling over 6,000 pallet positions under HACCP-certified food safety practices.
• Demo Kitchen (Rental) Luxury demo kitchen available for hire by the half day (4 hours) or full day (8 hours). Features 8 fully equipped cooking islands, seating for up to 60 for events, cameras with 4 large screen TVs, and connectivity for live demonstrations. Available for private events, product launches, culinary school sessions, and corporate team events.
• ButcherShop.ae (Retail E-commerce) Premium online butcher platform delivering restaurant-grade proteins (grass-fed and grain-fed beef, lamb, veal, chicken) to non-commercial customers across the UAE, including homemade items such as Beef Wellingtons, pies, and sausages. Includes the first online dry-aged meat program in the UAE. Same-day delivery in Dubai, next-day in Abu Dhabi, 48-hour in other Emirates.
• Aramtec Blue (Seafood Distribution) Wholly-owned subsidiary of Aramtec focused on seafood products and distribution to the GCC hospitality market.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supply over 2,500 F&B outlets across the GCC region
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, exclusive and minor.

• American Foods GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive U.S. beef partner supplying USDA Prime, Choice, Select & U.S. Angus Beef. Aramtec and AFG jointly sponsor chef competitions and send competition winners to visit AFG farms and facilities in the U.S. to understand U.S. cattle rearing and beef production.
• JBS Foods GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal food company and largest meat processing company in the world supplying beef, chicken, and pork products. JBS brands distributed by Aramtec include Friboi, Black by Friboi, and other premium beef programs.
• AgristocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelgian company offering an extremely wide range of fries from potatoes grown in ideal soil and appropriate climate. Aramtec distributes the CRRROCK'N range of frozen fries through internal training programs and foodservice sales.
• HUGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss tartelette producer founded in 1881, world's leading brand for sweet and savoury tartelettes distributed exclusively by Aramtec in the region. Jointly organize the HUG x Aramtec Pastry Competition at Expo Culinaire in Sharjah.
• Pidy GourmetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal leader in premium ready-to-fill pastry products with heritage spanning more than five decades. Over 300 quality products distributed across more than 60 countries. Aramtec distributes Pidy's puff pastry, shortcrust, choux, croustades, sponge products and more.
• AltınmarkacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the world's largest and most respected chocolate producers, supplying over 50,000 tons of cocoa and chocolate products annually to professionals in more than 50 countries. Aramtec is the exclusive distributor in the UAE.
• ÉchirécoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-renowned French artisan butter brand founded in 1891, making butter in teak barrel churns with PDO Charentes-Poitou certification. Now exclusively distributed by Aramtec with expanded product line including 35% fat cooking cream.
• Baker's ChoicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAramtec's exclusive brand of premium pastry and bakery ingredients with the majority of the range from Belgium. Backed by over 45 years of sourcing expertise, includes spreads, toppings, marzipan, sugar pastes, cookie crumbles, premixes, and specialty ingredients.
• Farmer's ChoicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAramtec's private label brand with over 60 products including tomato ketchup, BBQ sauce, dairy products, proteins, and specialty items developed for foodservice partners.
• Bela CarneexclusiveStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive brand created for Aramtec Foodservice in partnership with producers in Brazil. Recognized as one of the best commercial beef programs in the region with a unique tried-and-tested cattle feeding program.
• Taji WagyuexclusiveStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive program developed for Aramtec - 350-400 days grain-fed program based in NSW, Australia offering premium 2-5 MB Wagyu beef to food service customers.
• JumbuckexclusiveStrategic or Co-development PartnerAramtec's exclusive Australian Lamb private brand delivering flavorsome, versatile, and natural lamb from Australia's pristine pastureland.
• Stone Axe WagyucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFull Blood Wagyu beef from breeding herds in New South Wales and Victoria, Australia at over 1000m above sea level. Free from artificial growth hormones, fed quality produce by Australian farmers.
• Margaret River Wagyu BeefcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremium Wagyu beef from Margaret River region with rich, buttery flavour and highly marbled meat from stress-free cattle.
• Marcho FarmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerU.S. family farm and processing facility in Pennsylvania specializing in milk-fed veal. 50 years of dedication to humane animal care and quality. Aramtec hosted product demonstrations with Marcho Farms in their new Culinary Institute.
• SAP (via John Keells IT)coreTechnology or IntegrationImplementation of SAP (Private Edition), RISE with SAP platform across all Middle East locations to fully digitalize operations. Strategic partnership with John Keells IT for implementation and support.
• HPE Aruba NetworkingcoreTechnology or IntegrationModernization of Aramtec's network infrastructure with HPE Aruba Networking Edge Service Platform, access points, and switches for warehouses and offices to improve connectivity, management, automation, and security.
• Yellow Door EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolar energy partnership for sustainable power generation. Solar panel project underway at Al Quoz location to reduce carbon footprint and contribute to powering facilities and vehicles.
• BakelscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal bakery ingredients manufacturer offering premixes, bread improvers, fruit glazes, and fillings. Bakels economies of scale is the largest in the world for bakery ingredients.
• DGFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary source in France for high-quality ingredients and convenience products for pastry and confectionery professionals. Products include nut and praline pastes, chocolate products, specialty sugars, pastry cream, fruits in syrup, and glazes.
• Brunner Chocolate MouldscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman market leader in industrial moulds for chocolate. Aramtec represented Brunner at Gulfood Manufacturing exhibition with live chocolate making demonstrations.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tanmiah Food Company: Saudi-listed poultry and protein producer/distributor supplying quick-service restaurants, hotels, and retailers across the GCC. Comparable in protein-focused foodservice model and GCC customer base, with public-market transparency that contrasts with Aramtec's private status.
• Sunbulah Group: Saudi-based food group with broadline distribution of proteins, dairy, bakery, and grocery into foodservice and retail. Comparable in product breadth, foodservice customer base, and GCC reach.
• Almunajem Foods Company: One of the largest Saudi Arabian foodservice and consumer food distributors, family-owned since the 1970s, serving hotels, restaurants, and retailers across the GCC. Highly comparable in business model, multi-category distribution, and private/family ownership profile.
• The Chef Middle East: UAE-based foodservice distributor focused on premium proteins, bakery, and ingredients for hotels and restaurants. Closest direct competitor in geography and customer base, with a similar multi-category premium model and a well-known chef-facing brand.
• Tabasser Group: Kuwaiti foodservice and retail food distributor serving hotels, restaurants, and institutions across the Gulf. Direct competitor in GCC foodservice protein and grocery distribution with overlapping premium hospitality customers.

Others

• BRF S.A. Brazilian global meat and processed foods company that both supplies protein into the Middle East and operates branded distribution. Functions as a key supplier to Aramtec's category while also competing for the same end markets in processed and value-added proteins.

Broad incumbents

• US Foods Holding Corp: Major U.S. broadline foodservice distributor serving independent restaurants, hotels, and healthcare operators. Comparable in product breadth, private-label strategy, and B2B foodservice model, though without a GCC footprint.
• Performance Food Group: Large U.S. foodservice and convenience distributor with broadline and specialty protein operations. Relevant comparable for scale, private-label growth, and broadline distribution economics, though U.S.-focused.
• Bidcorp Foodservice: JSE-listed global broadline foodservice distributor with established UAE/MENA operations. Competes in the same protein and broadline foodservice space but at much larger scale, broader geography, and with public-market capital access.
• Sysco Corporation: Largest U.S. broadline foodservice distributor serving restaurants, hotels, and healthcare. Relevant as a global benchmark for the broadline foodservice model Aramtec operates, though with no direct GCC presence.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/aramtec
• Instagraminstagram.com/aramtec

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aramtec