Middle East & Africa Plant-based Meat Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2023 |
| Market Size (2024) | USD 302.26 Million |
| Market Size (2029) | USD 412.96 Million |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 6.44 % |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Middle East & Africa Plant-based Meat Market Analysis
The MEA Plant-based Meat and Dairy Products Market size is estimated at USD 302.26 million in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 412.96 million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 6.44% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
The growing concerns among the people of the Middle East about the consumption of conventional animal-based food and beverage products and the adoption of vegan diets in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic due to rising health awareness were expected to drive the plant-based growth of meat and dairy products in the region. The shift in consumer behavior was majorly due to the rising concerns regarding animal welfare, personal health, and sustainability. Therefore, various food and beverage companies were launching plant-based or vegan meat and dairy products in the Middle East and African markets.
The rising consumer awareness regarding the negative impact of the consumption of meat on health is leading to a shift toward a vegan diet. Additionally, the benefits of cholesterol-free protein, with a meat-like texture, are one of those key factors promoting the growth of plant-based meat and dairy products in the region studied. According to the data of the World Obesity Organization in April 2022, 25% of men and 30% of women are obese, and 16.4% of adults have diabetes in the United Arab Emirates. Therefore, the market players in the region are launching various plant-based meat and dairy products.
Middle East & Africa Plant-based Meat Market Trends
Increasing Health Concerns Are Supporting the Market’s Growth
- These days, meat and milk substitutes or vegan products are becoming more popular in the region due to their health benefits. They exist together with meat and milk products in the market, which allows consumers to compare and thus increase their awareness about the benefits of plant-based products. Though plant-based meats still contain saturated fat, they have far less saturated fat than animal meat.
- Plant-based meats also contain some fiber and plenty of protein. Additionally, increasing health concerns like obesity and diabetes drive consumers toward plant-based diets, allowing them to control and maintain their health as plant-based products contain far less saturated fat. For instance, according to data from the World Bank, in 2021, almost 18.7% of the Saudi Arabian population had diabetes.
- Similarly, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), in 2021, the diabetes prevalence in South Africa reached 11.3%, the highest in Africa. It also claimed that the country would register an estimated 96,000 deaths due to diabetes in 2021, while the cost of diabetes-related health expenditure has risen to 1,700 USD per person, totaling an estimated 7.2 billion USD.
- Moreover, consumers in the region appreciate these meat substitute products due to animal welfare, environmental and health-related reasons, functional efficacy, and high sustainability claims offered by plant-derived products supporting the plant-based meat and dairy market in the Middle East and Africa. Dairy alternatives hold a broad scope for product development, pulling the significant attention of manufacturers to contribute to the market. As a result, food companies are expanding their productions and increasingly investing in catering to the appeal of novel flavors and taste profiles.
- For instance, in October 2022, the Silicon Valley-based food tech firm Change Foods announced an agreement with Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi to build an animal-free dairy plant in the United Arab Emirates. Such developments happening in the region are expected to further boost the market's growth during the forecast period.
United Arab Emirates is the Fastest Growing Market
- Consumers in the United Arab Emirates consider the adoption of veganism in the country as they are keen on a cleaner lifestyle, healthy habits, and animal rights, fueling the growth in the meat substitute market in the country due to the clinically proven health benefits of a vegan diet.
- Additionally, most shops and restaurants offer different vegan and vegetarian products in the United Arab Emirates, making people try those products and eventually aiding them to shift from meat to plant-based foods.
- Tourism in the country from other parts of the world also contributes to the growth of the country's meat substitute market. The growing demand for vegan protein-based products resulted in the incorporation of more new startup plant-based food companies and the expansion of existing companies in the country.
- For instance, in January 2021, VBites, the United Kingdom-based vegan food brand, expanded into the Middle East with new listings announced in the United Arab Emirates. The company launched nine items from its 51-strong plant-based products portfolio in 90 stores, Spinney's outlets throughout the United Arab Emirates, and Waitrose shops in Dubai. Similarly, Kind Lyfe, a new vegan snack startup launched in November 2021 in the United Arab Emirates, is gaining popularity all over the region through its sales in supermarkets and online retail channels.
- Moreover, the increasing urban population in the country is further propelling the market as it makes the availability of plant-based products easier, and consumers are also provided with innovative flavors and are always well-informed about the latest products.
- For instance, according to the World Bank, in 2021, the annual urban population growth in the United Arab Emirates was 1.12% which increased from 1.09% when compared to 2019. Such factors are aiding the market in the United Arab Emirates to grow faster.
Middle East & Africa Plant-based Meat Industry Overview
The growth of plant-based foods in the Middle East and Africa is highly dependent on how consumers perceive such foods. In most cases, brands working in this segment must involve apt marketing and advertising practices to instigate younger consumers since they rely heavily on social media platforms and are avid 'out-of-home' consumers. Some of the major companies which are operating in the market studied are Danone SA, Beyond Meat Inc., Al Islami Foods, Blue Diamond Growers, and Saudi Dairy and Food Stuff Company.
These companies have been the front runners in terms of expansion of their production capacity and product launches to cater to the increasing demand for plant-based meat and dairy products in the region. In addition to innovations, the companies have also been engaged in strategic investments, especially in the online sector (after the wake of COVID-19), to hold their prominent position in the market.
Middle East & Africa Plant-based Meat Market Leaders
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Blue Diamond Growers
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Beyond Meat Inc.
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Danone
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Al Islami Foods
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Saudi Dairy and Food Stuff Company
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Middle East & Africa Plant-based Meat Market News
- May 2022: Saudi Dairy and Food Stuff Company launched Saudia oat milk, claiming it is the Kingdom's first locally produced oat-based milk.
- February 2021: Danone SA announced its purchase of US-based firm 'Earth Island,' which is a producer of a pioneering plant-based brand named Follow Your Heart. This expansion helped the company (Danone) to expand its product range to meet consumer needs.
- January 2021: Vbites Food Limited expanded its business in the Middle East with a listing of products that were announced in the United Arab Emirates. Nine products from its 51-strong portfolio of plant-based products have been listed in 90 stores, including Waitrose locations in Dubai and Spinneys stores across the United Arab Emirates.
Middle East & Africa Plant-based Meat Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
- 1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET DYNAMICS
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4.1 Market Drivers
- 4.1.1 Increasing Health Concerns are Supporting the Market's Growth
- 4.1.2 Growing Consumer Preference for Convenience Seafood
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4.2 Market Restraints
- 4.2.1 Rising Concern About Quality and Safety Standards of Canned Tuna
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4.3 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- 4.3.1 Threat of New Entrants
- 4.3.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
- 4.3.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 4.3.4 Threat of Substitute Products
- 4.3.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION
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5.1 Product Type
- 5.1.1 Plant-Based Meat
- 5.1.1.1 Burger Patties
- 5.1.1.2 Sausages
- 5.1.1.3 Strips and Nuggets
- 5.1.1.4 Meatballs
- 5.1.1.5 Other Plant-Based Meats
- 5.1.2 Plant-Based Dairy
- 5.1.2.1 Milk
- 5.1.2.2 Yogurt
- 5.1.2.3 Butter and Cheese
- 5.1.2.4 Other Plant-based Dairy
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5.2 Distribution Channel
- 5.2.1 Hypermarkets/Supermarkets
- 5.2.2 Convenience Stores
- 5.2.3 Online Retail Channels
- 5.2.4 Other Distribution Channels
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5.3 Geography
- 5.3.1 South Africa
- 5.3.2 United Arab Emirates
- 5.3.3 Saudi Arabia
- 5.3.4 Egypt
- 5.3.5 Rest of Middle East and Africa
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
- 6.1 Most Adopted Strategies
- 6.2 Market Share Analysis
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6.3 Company Profiles
- 6.3.1 Danone SA
- 6.3.2 Beyond Meat Inc.
- 6.3.3 Upfield Holdings B.V
- 6.3.4 Saudi Dairy and Food Stuff Company
- 6.3.5 Rude Health
- 6.3.6 Blue Diamond Growers
- 6.3.7 Superbom Alimentos
- 6.3.8 Koita FZE
- 6.3.9 The Meatless Farm Co.
- 6.3.10 Al Islami Foods
- 6.3.11 Vbites Foods Limited
- *List Not Exhaustive
7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
** Subject To AvailablityMiddle East & Africa Plant-based Meat Industry Segmentation
Plant-based meat and dairy refer to products made from plant materials that are designed to mimic meat in every way, from taste, texture, smell, and appearance.
The Middle East and Africa plant-based meat and dairy products market is segmented by product type, distribution channel, and geography. Based on product type, the market studied is segmented into plant-based meat and plant-based dairy. Plant-based meat is further segmented into burger patties, sausages, strips and nuggets, meatballs, and other plant-based meats. Also, plant-based dairy is further segmented into milk, yogurt, butter and cheese, and other plant-based dairy products. By distribution channel, the market studied is segmented into supermarkets/hypermarkets, convenience stores, online retail channels, and other distribution channels. By geography, the market studied is segmented into South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the Rest of Middle-East and Africa.
For each segment, the market sizing and forecasts have been done on the basis of value (USD million).
| Product Type | Plant-Based Meat | Burger Patties |
| Sausages | ||
| Strips and Nuggets | ||
| Meatballs | ||
| Other Plant-Based Meats | ||
| Product Type | Plant-Based Dairy | Milk |
| Yogurt | ||
| Butter and Cheese | ||
| Other Plant-based Dairy | ||
| Distribution Channel | Hypermarkets/Supermarkets | |
| Convenience Stores | ||
| Online Retail Channels | ||
| Other Distribution Channels | ||
| Geography | South Africa | |
| United Arab Emirates | ||
| Saudi Arabia | ||
| Egypt | ||
| Rest of Middle East and Africa |
Middle East & Africa Plant-based Meat Market Research FAQs
How big is the MEA Plant-based Meat and Dairy Products Market?
The MEA Plant-based Meat and Dairy Products Market size is expected to reach USD 302.26 million in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 6.44% to reach USD 412.96 million by 2029.
What is the current MEA Plant-based Meat and Dairy Products Market size?
In 2024, the MEA Plant-based Meat and Dairy Products Market size is expected to reach USD 302.26 million.
Who are the key players in MEA Plant-based Meat and Dairy Products Market?
Blue Diamond Growers , Beyond Meat Inc., Danone, Al Islami Foods and Saudi Dairy and Food Stuff Company are the major companies operating in the MEA Plant-based Meat and Dairy Products Market.
What years does this MEA Plant-based Meat and Dairy Products Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the MEA Plant-based Meat and Dairy Products Market size was estimated at USD 283.97 million. The report covers the MEA Plant-based Meat and Dairy Products Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the MEA Plant-based Meat and Dairy Products Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Middle East and Africa Plant-based Meat Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 Middle East and Africa Plant-based Meat market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Middle East and Africa Plant-based Meat analysis includes a market forecast outlook to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
