Shifting consumer lifestyles and preferences, rising demand for organic food products, and evolving consumption patterns are the key trends in the global market. In the Middle East and North Africa region, the retail industry as a whole is expected to pick up, especially after the rebound in economic activity. Governments’ strategies, especially in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), are pushing to promote travel, entertainment, and leisure activities, all of which contribute to market growth. The food retail market follows the same trend in the region. By 2026, the
in the GCC was forecasted to reach around 216.3 billion U.S. dollars.
Middle Eastern food brands at a glance
Almarai was the leading
Middle Eastern food brand. The brand’s dominance in the region is mainly due to its high presence across the region, in which three of its biggest markets are Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt, respectively. Almarai also offers a diverse portfolio of brands offering dairy and dairy products, bakery, and juice, which led to strong brand recognition and trust. Alyoum, a poultry retailer owned by Almarai, was the fastest growing brand in the same year. This shows that staples, especially halal-certified poultry, remain resilient in the current market with the ever-evolving food trends.
Room for growth for online food retail
The pandemic has caused a behavioral shift among consumers in the region, with more consumers opting for online shopping for groceries. Particularly during the month of Ramadan, when many consumers are fasting, the majority of respondents in the MENA region reported that they adopted
shopping for groceries online. Another trend witnessed was the tendency towards cooking at home as opposed to eating outside. Furthermore, E-grocery is expected to gain more market share over food delivery in the
Quick-commerce market by 2024. This is supported by the rise in demand for healthy and organic options delivered quickly to consumers, catering to rising vegan and vegetarian dietary preferences.
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