Explore the latest trends, demand drivers and growth opportunitie...
Explore the latest trends, demand drivers and growth opportunities in the Middle East, with in-depth market and data analysis from our in-country field researchers and regional experts.
The Tehran in Iran report provides comprehensive city level information benchmarked against other cities in the country and region. The report includes historic data and forecasts on city population, consumer expenditure, digital penetration, wealth…
The Mashhad in Iran report provides comprehensive city level information benchmarked against other cities in the country and region. The report includes historic data and forecasts on city population, consumer expenditure, digital penetration, wealth…
The Baghdad in Iraq report provides comprehensive city level information benchmarked against other cities in the country and region. The report includes historic data and forecasts on city population, consumer expenditure, digital penetration, wealth…
In 2023, real GDP growth of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) slowed to 3.3% due to a global economic slowdown and reduced oil production. Nevertheless, the non-oil sector saw rapid growth, contributing to economic resilience of the United Arab…
In 2023, Qatar's GDP growth slowed to 2.2%, with the hydrocarbon sector driving the economy despite production disruptions and oil price fluctuations. Qatar’s GDP per capita notably exceeded the regional average, supported by a rise in private…
In 2023, Saudi Arabia's GDP growth slowed to 0.5% due to a downturn in the oil sector and falling global oil prices. However, increased private and public spending, along with a substantial rise in gross fixed capital formation, supported the…
A growing population, a positive post-FIFA effect and increased tourism are facilitating growth in snacks sales in 2024. The resumption in snacking habits in the wake of the pandemic is also boosting the popularity of snacking on the go. However,…
2024 saw strong positive sales growth across snacks in Iraq despite high inflation and the rather chaotic scene on the supply side. While imported products and international brands are popular among affluent urban professionals, the majority remain…
The briefing explores structural drivers of inflation and their impact on the global economy and business environment. Factors such as demographics changes, globalisation reset, decarbonisation, AI revolution and higher debt levels would add to the…
In 2023, Saudi Arabia saw a significant increase in per capita disposable income levels in real terms, supported by a decrease in unemployment and expansion of the non-oil private sector. However, income inequality and poverty issues persisted, with…
After a couple of years of decline, total sweet spreads packaging in Saudi Arabia returned to growth in 2023. Most categories saw a rise in packaging volumes, with the exception of honey. Nevertheless, within this category, PET bottles saw growth in…
After a couple of years of decline, total sauces, dips and condiments packaging volumes in Saudi Arabia returned to growth in 2023. This was also the pattern of growth seen by mayonnaise. PET bottles continued to be the dominant pack type for…
Total processed meat and seafood packaging volumes in Saudi Arabia maintained solid growth in 2023. These products are seen as convenient, time-saving meal options, especially with the substantial increase in the number of women entering the Saudi…
Total processed fruit and vegetables packaging volumes saw growth in Saudi Arabia in 2023. Frozen processed fruit and vegetables saw a strong increase in this year, and flexible plastic was the only notable pack type used for such products, which can…
As consumers are seeking healthier and more sustainable food options, sales of plant-based dairy products increased in Saudi Arabia in 2023, as a perceived healthier alternative to traditional dairy products, which drove up the associated packaging…
The global labour markets are rapidly evolving, influenced by demographic shifts, technological advancements, changing workforce preferences, and unexpected events. While this transformation impacts costs, productivity and economic growth, it also…
Total meals and soups packaging volumes continued to rise in Saudi Arabia in 2023. Demand for ready meals surged during the pandemic as foodservice closures and fears around food delivery drove home-cooking occasions; ready meals presented a more…
Total dairy packaging volumes in Saudi Arabia continued to fall in 2023. However, drinking milk products, including milk, returned to growth in packaging volumes in this year. Milk is packaged mainly in brick liquid cartons in the country, although…
Total confectionery packaging volumes in Saudi Arabia continued to rise in 2023, although were still unable to return to anywhere near the pre-pandemic level. In Saudi Arabia, growth in packaging volumes for chocolate confectionery improved strongly…
Following a decline in packaging volumes in 2022, total baby food packaging continued to see declining volumes in Saudi Arabia in 2023. Milk formula accounts for the most significant share of packaging volumes in baby food, and continued to decline…
Sales of sweet biscuits, snack bars and fruit snacks in the United Arab Emirates are increasingly shaped by rising consumer awareness of health and wellness, leading to strong performances by fruit snacks, primarily dried fruit, and snack bars.…
Indulgence serves as the primary growth driver for sugar confectionery in the United Arab Emirates, reflecting evolving consumer preferences and lifestyles. Local consumers are inclined to treat themselves with confectionery that offers moments of…
In 2024, snacks in the United Arab Emirates is characterised by a dynamic blend of traditional indulgence and modern health-conscious trends. With a growing expatriate population and a resurgence in social gatherings, demand for premium and…
Volume sales of snacks in Lebanon increased modestly in 2024 as consumer spending recovered somewhat amidst a slight easing of the socioeconomic crisis and inbound tourism boomed. Numerous local manufacturers have benefited from the unavailability…
Vegetable chips in the United Arab Emirates are gaining traction as a popular alternative to traditional potato chips. Made from ingredients such as kale, sweet potatoes, and beets, they are typically baked or dehydrated, leading to lower fat and…
While ice cream in the United Arab Emirates has been traditionally marketed as a product to beat the heat, marketing is now shifting towards ice cream as an indulgent product to be enjoyed throughout the year. Ferrero's launch of its inaugural ice…
Demand for gum in the United Arab Emirates continues to rise, primarily driven by chewing gum. In the United Arab Emirates, where a diverse expatriate population coexists amid a bustling social landscape filled with numerous events and gatherings,…
Ecosystem partnerships is a critical factor for rapid scaling of leading digital wallets globally. Key usage factors are convenience, enhanced security and wide merchant acceptance. The short term focus includes cross-border transactions and…
Demand for chocolate confectionery in the United Arab Emirates continues to rise. In the local market, a rising number of health-conscious consumers are driving increasing demand for healthy snacks, significantly transforming perceptions around diet…
Sweet biscuits, snack bars and fruit snacks is set to see current value growth in 2024. The global price of sugar rose significantly in 2023, pushing up a key raw material cost for manufacturers of sweet biscuits. In May 2023, Diplomat increased the…
Sugar confectionery is expected to see current value growth in 2024. In 2023, the price of sugar globally increased significantly. This inevitably had a direct impact on the sugar confectionery category, as one of the main ingredients in products in…
The snacks market in Israel is set to see significant current value growth in 2024, primarily as a result of marked increases in prices across categories. Indeed, with price rises coming in the context of an uncertain economic environment, broader…
Savoury snacks is expected to see current value growth in Israel in 2024. In May 2023, Strauss announced a price rise of up to 6% on many of its products, including potato chips, which came into effect in June 2023. In January 2024, Strauss again…
Ice cream is expected to see current value growth in Israel in 2024. As in other categories, price rises made a major contribution to value growth. In May 2023, the price of raw milk increased, which led to many brands increasing the prices of their…
Gum is set to see a rise in sales in current value terms in Israel in 2024. As in other categories, gum value sales have been bolstered by rising prices. Mars increased the prices of its products, including Orbit gum, by up to 7% in May 2023. Strauss…
Chocolate confectionery is set to see current value growth in Israel in 2024. The price of cocoa and sugar have increased in recent months, driving up value sales in the chocolate confectionery market. In May 2023, Diplomat increased the prices of…
In 2023, the alcoholic drinks in Kuwait has been shaped by geopolitical dynamics, influencing consumer preferences. Conscious buying has surged, with a focus on local and Middle Eastern brands, fostering a sense of ethical satisfaction and peer…
Sweet biscuits, snack bars and fruits snacks represents one of the best-performing categories within snacks in Saudi Arabia, and this trend is expected to continue into 2024. Stronger demand is being driven by the resumption of normal, fast-paced…
Sugar confectionery in Saudi Arabia continues to register healthy growth in retail volume and current value terms. In addition to economic factors, including an easing inflation rate and an increase in the rate of employment, sales are being driven…
The market for snacks in Saudi Arabia is expected to register robust growth in current value terms in 2024, continuing the trend of the previous year. This will be consistent with a more positive economic outlook, thanks to easing inflation and an…
The market for savoury snacks in Saudi Arabia is expected to see another year of robust growth in retail volume terms in 2024, thanks to the revival of busy pre-pandemic lifestyles, especially with more women joining the workforce, and an increase in…
The ice cream market in Saudi Arabia is expected to see healthy growth in volume terms in 2024, continuing the trend of the previous year. Demand is being driven by a young and dynamic population, combined with an increase in tourism and a return to…
The market for gum in Saudi Arabia will see a healthy performance in current value terms in 2024, continuing the trend of the previous year. This will be supported by return to pre-pandemic lifestyles, including work, school and social and…
Following a three-year period of stagnation, the retail market for chocolate confectionery in Saudi Arabia is expected to see an improved performance in current value terms in 2024. This is consistent with a more positive economic outlook, thanks to…
In 2023, Jordan's alcoholic drinks industry has been witnessing marginal growth, driven by strong on-trade demand. The rise in tourists during the first three quarters boosted on-trade sales. However, there has been an increasing decline in tourists,…
Volume sales slumped across all categories of alcoholic drinks in Qatar during 2024 as sales returned to normal levels following the huge spike in demand seen in late 2022, when Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup. Nonetheless, wider distribution in both…
The commodities country overview provides comprehensive data on production, consumption and price trends on key commodities markets. The commodities overview in Saudi Arabia covers production and consumption trends in agricultural commodities, energy…
The commodities country overview provides comprehensive data on production, consumption and price trends on key commodities markets. The commodities overview in Qatar covers production and consumption trends in agricultural commodities, energy…
The commodities country overview provides comprehensive data on production, consumption and price trends on key commodities markets. The commodities overview in Kuwait covers production and consumption trends in agricultural commodities, energy…
The commodities country overview provides comprehensive data on production, consumption and price trends on key commodities markets. The commodities overview in United Arab Emirates covers production and consumption trends in agricultural…