Middle East

Although there are many initiatives to reduce sugar consumption, demand for sugar and sweeteners continues to grow in the United Arab Emirates. Sweets and desserts are culturally important in the United Arab Emirates, as they are often associated…

The United Arab Emirates has a very diverse population, whereby potatoes are an important ingredient used in numerous dishes. Potatoes are the most consumed form of starchy roots in both retail and foodservice. Supported by a growing population in…

The growing popularity of plant-based diets is increasing the demand for alternative sources of protein to meat. Pulses are considered an excellent protein alternative. As an increasing number of local consumers are adopting vegetarian and vegan…

The number of consumers in the United Arab Emirates who are switching to plant-based diets is on the rise. In particular, nuts are a popular plant-based source of protein and are being increasingly incorporated into consumers’ diets. They provide…

Meat is the most popular protein source in the United Arab Emirates. It is considered highly nutritious by providing essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Many local consumers are following healthier diets, whereby they are increasing their…

Consumption of fresh fruits continues to rise in the United Arab Emirates. The population is growing due to the increasing arrival of expatriates, facilitated by visa programmes. Many people consider moving to the United Arab Emirates due to…

Demand for fresh food continues to grow across different categories in the United Arab Emirates. The nation is comprised of a diverse population whereby fresh food represents an important component of numerous dishes. With a growing population in the…

The level of awareness regarding environmental issues associated with traditional fishing is growing in the United Arab Emirates. As a result, local consumers are seeking sustainably-sourced fish and seafood which ensures a stable and long-term…

Demand for eggs continues to grow in the United Arab Emirates, despite further price increases. In the first quarter of 2023, the government approved a temporary hike in the average unit price of eggs by a maximum of 13%. This was approved due to the…

This briefing provides insight into the Sustainable Manufacturing trend, exploring the manufacturing sectors with the greatest environmental impact, solutions to improve the sustainability of the manufacturing sector, and potential hurdles that…

After two years of strong growth which have seen womenswear recovering from the declines seen during the pandemic, in 2023, the category’s growth is expected to slow down. The limited growth in womenswear has been driven by the challenging economic…

Tea is a popular drink in Saudi Arabia with a long history and tradition. Tea, along with coffee and dates, is also among the drinks traditionally offered as a show of hospitality in the region. As such, demand continues to grow at a stable pace in…

In 2023, after two years of strong growth fostered by the COVID-19 pandemic, which encouraged more locals to become active and drove demand for activewear, sportswear sales saw sales impacted as money-squeezed and insecure consumers limited their…

The Saudi government is focusing on promoting sports across the Kingdom with it aiming to encourage people to lead healthier lifestyles through its Quality of Life programme, which is one of its Vision 2030 initiatives. It is paying great attention…

Sales of soft drinks have continued to see healthy growth in retail volume and value terms in 2023, with sales benefiting from a booming economy. Furthermore, the country’s hot climate means there is a constant demand for soft drinks. Saudi Arabia…

RTD tea is a relatively niche category in Saudi Arabia with it being the smallest soft drinks category in retail volume terms in 2023. Nonetheless, the category has continued to post strong growth both through the off- and on-trade channels. The…

Sales of RTD coffee rose sharply from a low base over the review period with locals becoming increasingly aware of these products and sales have continued to see dynamic growth in 2023 in off- and on-trade volume terms. Starbucks Iced Coffee has…

While sales of tea and coffee continue to blossom the same cannot be said for other hot drinks which has posted a steep decline in retail volume terms in 2023. Sales have been in decline since the government introduced a sugar tax of 50% in 2019. In…

After two years of robust growth, menswear is anticipated to experience a slowdown in 2023. The category's limited growth is attributable to a challenging economic environment characterised by a sustained increase in interest rates, spanning from…

Saudi Arabia’s hot climate ensures there remains a healthy demand for juice in the Kingdom. However, the performances of the different juice categories have been varied in 2023 with demand increasingly being shaped by the growing focus on healthy…

In 2023, despite the return to normality and an increasing number of Israelis returning to the office, the sales of jeans in Israel experienced a slowdown. This deceleration can be attributed to the challenging economic environment marked by rising…

Coffee and tea benefit from being popular drinks in the Kingdom, with these being beverages which are offered as part of traditional hospitality and generosity. Growth is also being boosted by a number of government initiatives, from festivals to…

In 2022, Israel’s hosiery sales were boosted by a protracted winter, which ended much later than usual, and retail stores adapting to the weather and continuing to push their winter products with bigger discounts. On the other hand, 2023 saw…

The briefing examines how the coffee commodity is performing globally and in the largest countries in terms of supply and production. The report also provides data and analysis on coffee price dynamics, as well as analysing trends across key…

After experiencing robust growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, which spurred increased physical activity and demand for activewear, footwear sales in Israel faced deceleration amidst economic challenges in 2023. The economic environment, marked by…

Sales of energy drinks continue to decline in off-trade volume terms. Energy drinks incur a 100% “sin tax” in Saudi Arabia, while there are also other initiatives and restrictions aimed at discouraging the consumption of such products with the…

Vimto (from Aujan Industries Co Ltd) continues to lead liquid concentrates and concentrates overall in Saudi Arabia. The brand saw the launch of Vimto Cordial Zero in 2022, which is sugar-free and contains zero calories, alongside containing no…

Saudi Coffee Co was established by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) in 2022 with the aim of developing the Kingdom’s national coffee industry and increasing its coffee production from 300 to 2,500 tons annually by 2028. In 2023 the…

Childrenswear has faced various headwinds. The several increases in interest rates and high inflation, which averaged at around 4.3% in 2022 and 2023, compounded by the political turmoil revolving around the government’s contentious judicial reforms,…

The hot weather in Saudi Arabia continues to support sales of carbonates, with sales also benefiting from the large number of consumers aged under 30, who are a key target audience for these products. Despite this, consumers in Saudi Arabia continue…

Bottled water remains by far the largest category of soft drinks in Saudi Arabia with increasing numbers of consumers switching to bottled water. Although tap water in the Kingdom is said to be safe to drink many people prefer to use bottled water,…

Apparel and footwear is set to record mid-single digit growth in current value terms in 2023, which translates to a decline in constant terms driven by the challenging economic and political environment that have seen Israeli consumers limiting their…

Seasonal sales in 2023, were impacted by unfavourable weather conditions, leading to limited and delayed consumer purchases of apparel accessories. 2023 saw unfavourable weather, with an extremely hot winter 2022/2023 leading consumers to delay…

The briefing examines how the milk commodity performs globally and in the largest countries in terms of supply and production. The report also provides data and analysis on milk price dynamics, as well as trends across key commodity consuming…

The briefing examines how the cotton commodity performs globally and in the largest countries in terms of supply and production. The report also provides data and analysis on cotton price dynamics, as well as trends across key commodity consuming…

In line with the increasing local trend for private label across food and beverages, tea in the United Arab Emirates is also benefiting from the gradual emergence of private label. In the face of moderate inflation and overall fragmentation within…

Sports drinks in the United Arab Emirates remains a young category with further high growth potential following its dynamic performance in 2022 and 2023. The concept of fitness, increasingly integrated into consumers’ lifestyles, has only emerged…

Demand for soft drinks in the United Arab Emirates (in both off-trade and on-trade channels) is growing in 2023, despite global economic challenges. The purchasing power of most local consumers remains high, as a major proportion of the population…

RTD tea in the United Arab Emirates is among three categories within soft drinks demonstrating double-digit growth rates in 2023. Its success is partly being driven by its novelty factor in the local market, in line with the continuing success of RTD…

Price per litre, RTD coffee is the most expensive category within soft drinks in the United Arab Emirates, followed by energy drinks. Its high price is driven by the premium nature of the product, a relatively small bottle size and the domination of…

Frequent government changes have led to political instability in Kuwait and corruption is pervasive, although state finances remain in rude health. A strong economic performance is due to high oil prices, as well as solid domestic demand, but…

Although Bahrain’s political system lacks freedoms and corruption remains pervasive, an extremely low tax burden raises economic freedom. Whilst inflation has again entered negative territory and economic development is moderating, the foreign…

Traditionally in the United Arab Emirates, other hot drinks are represented mainly by chocolate-based flavoured powder drinks and malt-based hot drinks. Share of other formats were extremely low with no brands emerging to drive up their share.…

Following global inflation and the challenge for low- and mid-income consumers to manage their expenses, all major private label lines of juice entered the United Arab Emirates, including Carrefour Fresh, Lulu Fresh, Spinneys Food, Spinneys Kitchen…

Many hot drinks in the United Arab Emirates are considered to be less essential compared to food categories and some soft drinks categories, such as bottled water and juice. This makes them vulnerable in the face of inflation, economic instability or…

Energy drinks in the United Arab Emirates are often marketed using images depicting young adult consumers as enthusiastic, fit, smart and adventurous. This type of advertising can attract children and teenagers, who are becoming increasingly…

Demand for both powder concentrates and liquid concentrates has been declining in the United Arab Emirates for several years. General health awareness and concerns around sugar consumption are discouraging local consumers from purchasing these…

Recent inflation, the demand for premium indulgence and strong coffee traditions are shaping the category in a way that offers sufficient products within each price segment. Premium coffee options in multiple blends and flavours are offered by…

Across carbonates, reduced sugar options are gaining popularity in the United Arab Emirates. This trend is being widely supported by advertising and promotions. Hypermarkets and forecourt retailers are introducing floor and shelf banners advertising…

With the emerging inflation and competitive landscape being reshaped, private label is starting to regain shelf space in many categories, including bottled water. Since water is considered a basic and affordable product in consumers’ minds, private…