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.
Pre-paid cards in the United Arab Emirates is experiencing a surge in innovation and growth, driven by evolving consumer preferences, technological advances, and the increasing popularity of digital payments. Mobile reloading options, such as bank…
Prices have risen in the other hot drinks category, as the leading player, Strauss Group Ltd, has increased the prices of its Chocolit brand. After the salmonella incident that left many of Strauss's products absent from retailers’ shelves, these…
Opposition from the ultra-Orthodox community led to the tax on all sweetened beverages being removed at the end of March 2023. The ultra-Orthodox community includes many heavy users of sugary and artificially sweetened carbonates, along with…
The cost of living has continued to rise in 2023. Israel's rate of inflation reached 5.3% in January 2023, the highest since 2008. Housing prices rose 20.3% in 2022. Electricity prices rose by 8.6% in August 2022 and, as the price of coal continued…
2023 saw positive growth in all categories of hot drinks due to population growth and an easing of inflation. However, all industry players continue to face major structural issues, with coffee and other hot drinks importers in particular facing…
The United Arab Emirates continues its journey towards a cashless society, with the continued adoption of digital payment solutions, contactless cards, and the emergence of supplementary payment platforms or solutions in pre-paid cards that support…
Prime energy drink entered the Israeli market in 2023. Due to its popularity on TikTok, the drink has been very popular from the start. The strong role of social media in the brand’s expansion – and, indeed, its development, in which the YouTube…
Contactless payments are becoming increasingly popular in the United Arab Emirates, driven by the convenience and safety they offer. Banks are accelerating the adoption of contactless payment technology, embedding NFC (Near Field Communication) chips…
The credit cards category in the United Arab Emirates is set to experience strong growth by all measures in 2023, fuelled by a combination of favourable economic conditions, evolving consumer preferences, and the adoption of new technologies. The…
The tax on all sweetened beverages was removed at the end of March 2023, with the Ministry of Health requiring retailers to lower prices within three days of the tax being removed. The removal of the tax led to the lowering of prices in the…
In 2023, prices have continued to rise in the packaged food and beverages market, and this has impacted coffee as well. This has largely been due to the high rate of inflation, with rising costs of transportation, energy and raw materials, and…
Aligned with historical patterns, there is expected to be an ongoing decrease in the number of charge cards in circulation in the United Arab Emirates in 2023, even though transaction value is set to show growth across both the commercial and…
The tax on all sweetened beverages was removed at the end of March 2023, as a result of opposition from the ultra-Orthodox community. The Ministry of Health required retailers to lower prices within three days of the tax being removed, with the…
At the end of 2021, a new law went into effect requiring a deposit of ILS0.3 for all bottles of 1.5 litres and above. This had a direct impact on prices of water in 2022, as 1.5 litres is a very popular size for water bottles. After the tax on…
Population growth and lower inflation supported rising demand across meals and soups in 2023. In the key category of edible oils, the availability of sunflower oil via the PDS put pressure on demand, while table sauces benefited from the broadening…
Despite rising inflation, increasing mortgage rates and interest rates, consumer lending in the United Arab Emirates remains buoyant in 2023. The local economy’s recovery and expansion are influencing the momentum of consumer lending, but…
Banks in the United Arab Emirates continue to offer attractive card lending offers in 2023. With many credit cards now having appealing credit limits depending on the salary range and credit score of consumers, many banks are offering to convert…
The level of awareness among local consumers regarding the importance of adopting healthy diets and lifestyles is growing in the United Arab Emirates. Therefore, many local consumers are gaining a greater interest in incorporating fresh vegetables…
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…