Middle East Meat Market Research Report: Forecast (2024-2030)

Market Insights & Analysis: The Middle East Meat Market (2024-30):

The Middle East Meat Market size was valued at USD 29.21 billion in 2023 & is projected to reach USD 34.32 billion by 2030. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 4.4% during the forecast period, i.e., 2024-30. The market development is attributed to the surging growth and progression in Middle Eastern countries. The surge in middle-class consumers, the high disposable incomes of the consumers, and the rising affordability of food products like processed and frozen meat are further driving the demand for meat in the regional market. For instance:

• In 2023, the total consumer spending in the UAE rose by about 13% as compared to the previous year.

Moreover, the rising need for protein-rich and healthy food among consumers is driving the growth of the Middle East Meat Market. The consumers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, etc., have high rates of lifestyle diseases, such as diabetes, heart diseases, etc., which is leading them to adopt high protein and vitamin-rich diets like poultry meat in their diet. Also, meat products, mainly, chicken, turkey, etc., are rich sources of protein & vitamins, which is leading to their surged adoption among consumers. As a result, the demand for meat and meat products is rising across the region, further enhancing the growth of the Middle East Meat Market during 2024-30.

The Middle East Meat Market Driver:  

Rising Establishment of Hotel & Restaurants – There has been a significant surge in the formation of different hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, etc., in the Middle East region driven by increasing tourism and the rising trend of going out. The consumers in the region have been looking forward to the aesthetic and high-quality food experiences driving them to the restaurants and cafes. Moreover, the high incomes of individuals are leading them to experience high-profile dining-in, which is further increasing the demand for restaurants and other food outlets across the region. As a result, there is an increasing establishment of different food service outlets in countries like Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, etc.

The increasing establishment of different food service facilities in the region has been augmenting the demand for meat and meat products in several regional nations. These facilities offer a wide range of cuisines with the incorporation of meat among them, thus driving meat demand across the Middle East Market.

The Middle East Meat Market Opportunity:

Surging Demand for Meat from Airline Catering Companies – The rising air travel owing to growing tourism & increasing work travel in the region is driving the demand for inflight catering services across the Middle East. The growing air passenger traffic in countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, etc., is leading to the increased demand for food and refreshments on flights. As a result, airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, etc., are providing high-value meals & snacks to offer premium dining experiences to their passengers. The airline companies are also partnering with meal providers to provide ready-to-go meals to their consumers.

Thus, with the surging demand for inflight catering services in the region, the demand for meat products is also gaining traction. With consumers demanding high-quality and tasty food products, the demand for meat and meat products in the country is expected to surge. Moreover, as the catering services expand in the region, the demand for meat, including poultry, seafood, red meat, etc. is expected to surge in the upcoming years propelling the market growth.

The Middle East Meat Market Challenge:

Rising Vegan & Vegetarian Population in the Region – The increasing health consciousness and transitioning dietary customs amongst consumers across the region are leading to the rising growth of the vegan population in the Middle East. The growing focus of consumers on animal cruelty, environmental issues, etc., is further leading to the surging vegan population. Consumers in countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, etc., are increasingly focusing on environmental sustainability, which is leading them to switch to vegan and vegetarian food options. Moreover, the rising cases of food illness and potential microbial infestation from meat and meat products are raising concerns about food safety in meat products mitigating its wider adoption.

In addition, there is an increasing proliferation of various plant-based meat substitutes that provide similar taste and texture as meat products. Due to this, the consumers have a wide range of choices in plant-based meat products which leads to minimum adoption of meat in the region. The growing trend of veganism on social media and influencers going vegan are further leading the young population to drive away from meat products, which is eventually leading to a gradual decline in the adoption of meat, thus hampering the growth of the Middle East Meat Market.

The Middle East Meat Market Trend:

Escalating Demand for Organic Meat – The increasing health awareness among consumers is leading to the adoption of sustainable and environment-conscious lifestyles. As a result in recent years, they have been demanding and adopting products that are healthy and made from zero chemicals. This is raising the demand for organic food products, including meat among consumers. The meat producers often feed the animals with artificial food products & synthetic chemicals to increase their weight and production. However, this results in poor-quality meat products adversely impacting consumer health.

Also, the population across the Middle  East is becoming well aware of these facts and to ensure their healthy lifestyle, they are shifting towards organic meat products. Hence, owing to this increasing demand for organic meat products, both companies and government bodies are importing huge amounts of organic meat from Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, etc., further becoming a trending aspect across the market.

The Middle East Meat Market (2024-30): Segmentation Analysis

The Middle East Meat Market study by MarkNtel Advisors evaluates & highlights the major trends & influencing factors in each segment. It includes predictions for the period 2024–2030 at the regional level. As per the analysis, the market has been further classified as:

Based on Product Type:

• Beef
• Mutton
• Poultry
  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Others (Duck, Goose, etc.)
• Seafood
  • Fish
  • Others (Prawns, Crabs, etc.)
• Others (Lamb, Rabbit, etc.)

The Beef segment is expected to hold a major share of the Middle East Meat Market driven by increasing demand for beef from the hospitality sector. Restaurants, cafes, etc., are growing in Middle Eastern countries owing to increasing tourism and global events happening in megacities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, etc. As a result, consumers are increasingly looking for diverse culinary experiences with beef as a crucial part of it. Beef is widely used in various cuisines such as Arabia, Italia, Mexican, etc. Consumers coming from different parts of the world, look for food products that satisfy their palettes, hence augmenting the demand for beef in the country.

Moreover, the diverse availability of beef in different forms like grounded, torn, processed, frozen, etc., in the region, further increases its demand & adoption in the region boosting its overall market share & driving market demand. Thus, with changing lifestyles and increasing demand from the hospitality sector, the beef segment is expected to witness surging growth and considerable market share in the Middle East Meat Market.

Based on Form:

• Fresh
• Frozen
• Canned
• Processed

The Frozen Meat segment holds a significant market share in the Middle East Meat Market driven by the increasing shelf life of the products. Frozen meat products can be stored for a longer duration of time, propelling their market demand. They can be easily cooked right after getting from the freezer and stored in ice boxes or other frozen devices without any issue of spillage or spoilage. The high working population with busy schedules in the region creates demand for frozen meat products in the region, propelling the segment's growth.

Moreover, frozen meat products provide the taste and texture just like fresh meat without adding preservatives like processed meat, further expanding their market share. Additionally, the warm and extremely hot climate in Middle Eastern countries, demands food products that can last longer in the refrigerators for both the residential as well as food service sectors. All this, in turn, creates the demand for refrigerated or frozen meat products in the region, further propelling market growth.

The Middle East Meat Market (2024-30): Country Analysis:

Geographically, the Middle East Meat Market expands across:

• The UAE
• Saudi Arabia
• Qatar
• Turkey
• Israel
• Kuwait
• Bahrain
• Oman
• Egypt
• Rest of the Middle East

The UAE is expected to hold the largest share of the Middle East Meat Market during the forecast period owing to the country's rapid economic growth and high disposable income levels, which are leading to increased consumer spending on high-quality and diverse meat products in the country. Consumers in the country with large disposable incomes are looking forward to premium quality and label-friendly meat products, like clean-label & non-GMO, which is further surging the demand for meat and meat products in the country.

The nation has suitable government initiatives and programs that are leading to the increasing growth of the hospitality sector, which is a major contributor to the rising demand for meat and its products. Additionally, regions like Abu Dhabi & Dubai have various high-end restaurant chains, food outlets, cafes, etc., which make and provide different meat cuisines for the customers. Hence, this raises the demand for meat across the UAE Meat Market.  

Gain a Competitive Edge with Our Middle East Meat Market Report

• The Middle East Meat Market Report by Markntel Advisors provides a detailed & thorough analysis of market size, growth rate, competitive landscape, and key players. This comprehensive analysis helps business organizations to gain a holistic understanding of the market dynamics & make informed decisions.
• This report also highlights current market trends & future projections, allowing business organizations to identify emerging opportunities & potential challenges. By understanding market forecasts, companies can align their strategies & stay ahead of the competition.
• The Middle East Meat Market Report aids in assessing & mitigating risks associated with entering or operating in the market. By understanding market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and potential challenges, business organizations can develop strategies to minimize risks & optimize their operations.