Middle East

Thin wall plastic containers are the main pack type used in sweet spreads packaging and were also continuing to gain share in the overall category in 2023. Thin wall plastic containers are the dominant pack type in chocolate spreads in the United…

In the United Arab Emirates, sauces, dips and condiments packaging is seeing glass jars taking share from metal food cans. This change is being driven by a mix of factors. Environmentally, glass jars are more recyclable and have a smaller carbon…

Flexible plastic, which is the dominant pack type for frozen processed meat and seafood in the United Arab Emirates, continued to record positive growth in this category in 2023. It has excellent barrier properties, protecting the meat or seafood…

With shelf stable products dominating processed fruit and vegetables in packaging unit volume terms, metal food cans continued to be the dominant pack type in the overall processed fruit and vegetables category in 2023. While shelf stable fruit and…

The vast majority of consumers typically consume dairy products, but as the health and wellness trend spreads across the United Arab Emirates, a niche segment of the population has shown an increasing preference for plant-based foods. Plant-based…

Flexible aluminium/plastic is the dominant pack type in dry soup, which, given it is the biggest category in overall meals and soups, means that it is also therefore the dominant meals and soups packaging format. Flexible aluminium/plastic was also…

In December 2022, Almarai successfully conducted a commercial trial utilising 10% post-consumer recycled PET plastic in its Zabadi cups. This initiative, launched officially in 2023, aims to drive demand for post-consumer recycled material, thereby…

In 2023, flexible plastic not only continued to dominate confectionery packaging unit volumes, but also gained more pack type share. Flexible plastic often includes multiple layers that provide an effective barrier against moisture, air and light.…

With milk formula accounting for almost half of total baby food packaging unit volumes, and metal tins the dominant pack type in milk formula, this packaging format therefore remains the leading one in overall baby food, given metal tins also has a…

Bar soap – one of the biggest categories in the beauty and personal care market in the United Arab Emirates –has flexible plastic and folding cartons as its main packaging formats. There has been a discernible shift towards more sustainable packaging…