Dubai-based frozen treats maker House of Pops has shipped 1 million ice lollies to Walmart China, marking a major export milestone for the UAE-born brand and underscoring the growing global reach of the country’s food manufacturing sector.

The order, which was completed in less than a month, comes at a time when supply chains and raw material flows have faced significant disruption, according to Mazen Kanaan, Co-Founder and CEO of House of Pops.

Kanaan described the shipment as one of the most challenging production periods in the company’s history, requiring the business to rapidly secure ingredients, reroute exports and maintain operations under pressure.

“This is not a regular milestone. For us, for this moment, it means everything,” he said in a statement posted on LinkedIn.

To fulfil the China order, House of Pops sourced 14 tonnes of fresh strawberries, 23 tonnes of mango and 31 tonnes of coconut, highlighting the scale of the export consignment.

The shipment is being loaded across seven containers and will be sold under the company’s own House of Pops brand, carrying the “Made in the UAE” label into one of the world’s largest consumer markets.

The deal represents an important moment for the UAE’s non-oil export ambitions, as the country continues to position itself as a hub for advanced manufacturing, food production and re-export trade.

Founded in Dubai, House of Pops built its reputation on natural fruit-based frozen snacks with no refined sugar, tapping into growing consumer demand for healthier alternatives.

The company has expanded steadily across the GCC and international markets in recent years.

Breaking into China through Walmart’s retail network could significantly raise the profile of the UAE brand, giving it access to a vast customer base and one of the most competitive grocery markets globally.

Kanaan said the milestone also reflected the strength of the wider UAE food ecosystem, crediting suppliers, logistics partners and manufacturers who helped ensure raw materials were sourced, production completed and finished goods exported despite operational challenges.

“It is a moment of pride that goes beyond House of Pops,” he said. “A homegrown UAE manufacturer competing and delivering globally to top retailers, even in the hardest of times.”

The announcement comes ahead of the UAE’s Make it in the Emirates initiative, which promotes domestic industrial growth and aims to attract investment into priority manufacturing sectors.

For the country’s consumer goods sector, House of Pops’ China shipment offers a high-profile example of how UAE-made brands are increasingly moving beyond regional markets and onto global supermarket shelves.

This article is originally on www.arabianbusiness.com read more here.