Market Trends of Middle East & Africa Meat Substitute Industry
Changing Consumer Habits and Rising Veganism
There has been a growing awareness among Middle East and African people regarding healthy vegetarian food options available in the region. The rising popularity of ethnic cuisines from the Asian region is a significant factor in boosting the market's growth. Therefore, people are slowly turning toward vegetarian diets. People have begun to take responsibility for their health and well-being to avoid the risk of serious chronic diseases and obesity. Being obese or overweight raises the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, muscle and skeletal disorders, and some types of cancer. According to a survey by the WHO in 2022, one in five adults and one in 10 children and teenagers are projected to be obese by December 2023.
The demand for clean labels, ease of digestion, the need or want to avoid allergens, compatibility with vegetarian and vegan lifestyles, and concerns about sustainability among the general population spotlight meat substitutes. People also avoid foods with more additives, paving the way for clean-labeled meat substitute products. According to a study about vegetarian diets published on PubMed Central, the prevalence of vegetarianism in the Middle East and Africa was approximately 16% in 2021. This gradual inclination toward meat substitutes is primarily associated with sustainability issues, health awareness, ethical or religious views, and environmental and animal rights.
United Arab Emirates Holds a Prominent Share in the Market
Health and environmental concerns and varied religious traditions (due to the presence of multi-cultural people) rank the top reasons promoting the market in the United Arab Emirates, encouraging people to consume vegetarian diets with healthier vegetarian ingredients. Consumers are more likely to buy meat substitutes that are delicious, more beneficial, and also competitively priced. The companies in the market are launching products that are not only cooked like meat but are also healthier than meat. For instance, in January 2021, Starbucks launched two Beyond Meat sandwiches across the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
Due to the large portion of the world's population that has relocated to African and Arabic nations in search of employment and the expansion of tourism industries in these nations, there has been an increase in the demand for meat substitutes in countries like South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. People throughout the Middle East and Africa are becoming more aware of the variety of nutritious vegetarian foods available. According to World Bank, the number of international tourists arriving in the United Arab Emirates increased in 2021, amounting to approximately 12.6 million people, compared to the previous year, which was 8.1 million. Owing to the health benefits and change in eating patterns, the market for meat substitutes across the region is growing.
