UAE Subscription-based Meals Market Research Report: Forecast (2024-2030)

Market Definition

Subscription-based meals can be defined as a cooking service model in which consumers subscribe to the company to receive their cooked food delivered at the desired location as per their requirements. The subscription can be for daily purposes, biweekly, or weekly intervals. This includes entire prepared meals as well as ingredients to prepare a meal, providing convenience to the consumers along with customization and a variety of food options.

Market Insights & Analysis: The UAE Subscription-based Meals Market (2024-30):

The UAE Subscription-based Meals Market size is valued at USD 138.45 million in 2022 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 4.2% during the forecast period, i.e., 2024-30. The market growth attributes to the increasing demand for ready-to-eat food products among the working individuals across the country. With the increasing middle-class population and the burgeoning working population at various commercial spaces & facilities, the demand for ready-to-eat and quick bites has been surging. The working populations have busy lifestyles with no or less time to prepare food, creating a demand for convenient, healthy, and freshly delivered food among the population surging demand for subscription-based meal offerings. Also, most of the working population across the UAE has hectic schedules, which proliferates the demand for subscription-based meals more in the country.

Moreover, the people in the UAE are multicultural, arising from various parts of the globe. This diverse population has multiple & variety of demand related to taste, spice tolerance, and other culinary experiences, creating the need for subscription-based meals. The UAE has high number of expatriate population in the country owing to better job opportunities & favorable government reforms in the country, which further create the demand for wide variety of cuisines and food products among individuals. For instance:

• In 2022, according to the United Arab Emirates Population Statistics, the total population in the UAE was 10.08 million out of which 8.92 million was expat population.

Subscription-based meal providers offer various cuisines and menus as per the taste & preference of this diverse population, augmenting the growth of the UAE Subscription-based Meals Market. Additionally, due to the country’s high & increasing disposable income, the reach & adoption of smart gagdets is also in elevation. The online applications and high smartphone penetration makes it convenient for the end-users to subscribe for a variety of meals from their homes. In addition, the mobile apps allow the subscriiption-based meal companies to reach a diverse range of audience by showcasing their offerings, discounts, prices etc., on the phone. This, in turn, increase the consumer inclination towards the overall idea of subscription-based meals which surges its the demand and adoption among the UAE consumers.

Nowadays, the consumers can easily browse menues and select their meal plans according to their requirements from just one click from the phone. Hence, this convenience offered by the providers engage the consumers towards meal subscription, proliferating its adoption & augmenting the growth of the UAE Subscription-based Meal Market.

The UAE Subscription-based Meals Market Driver:  

Surging Working Population in the Country – The UAE has a stong economy with various industries, commercial offices, and burgeoning job opportunities for the individuals across the globe. The sectors like construction, healthcare, finance etc., are growing rapidly across the country, which is increasing the working population from worldwide in the UAE. The government bodies are effectively focusing towards diversifying its economy, for which it is launching favorable policies for individuals, which is further increasing the number of working population in the country. This, in turn, is resulting in the increasing economy and rising working class population in the UAE. For Instance,

• In 2022, as per the World Bank, the population-to-employment ratio was about 91% which was a 2% increase from 2021.

This shift in working class population is leading to the increasing demand for convenient & time saving food options among the individuals. As the individuals have strict timelines & busy schedules due to demanding working condition, the time for cooking is barely left. This is surging the demand for ready to eat and easy to prepare meal options among consumers, which is  delivered directly to their doorsteps.  Thus, as the consumers are focusing & adopting the subscription-based meals the market growth is surging rapidly in the UAE.

The UAE Subscription-based Meals Market Opportunity:

Shifting Consumer Preferences Towards Nutrition-rich & Portion-Control Diets – With the rising health conscioussness & awareness among the UAE individuals, the demand for portion control diets, nutritional food, and freshly prepared food products is surging rapidly. The UAE has high obese population with prevailing diseases like diabetes & other lifestyle-related disorders. This has been resulting in the increased demand for healthy & portion controlled diets among individuals..

Moreover, the multicultural population of the UAE, with residents across the world is leading to greater exposure to international cuisines and dietary trends, including nutrition-rich & portion-controlled diets from around the world. Health-conscious individuals and health and wellness trends on social media are also leading to the increasing demand for healthy food among the UAE population.

The UAE Subscription-based Meals Market Challenge:

Fluctuation in Raw Material Availability Increasing Food Delivery Costs – The UAE has very limited agricultural land due to its adverse climatic conditions and geographic location. As a result, the country heavily relies on imports for its food product requirements making it vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions. The change in trade policies, initiatives, taxation, etc., has a major effect on the country unbalancing the demand and supply of raw materials and food ingredients. Moreover, the season changes and weather conditions in countries like India, China, etc., who are the major exporters of food to the UAE further impact the overall supply of food materials in the UAE leading to shortages or price volatility. Moreover, the change in prices, government regulation, quality regulation, and other certifications further impact the supply of food to the UAE hindering the procurement process and adding complexities to the overall import process.

Furthermore, logistical challenges, including transportation delays and customs clearance issues, exacerbate supply chain uncertainties, affecting the timely delivery & freshness of food products. This results in the high prices of subscription-based meals in the country, as the high prices of raw materials directly affect the prices of prepared products. Moreover, the uncertainty in the supply of raw materials results in the fluctuation of menus due to commodity shortage, which further makes consumers skeptical about the option for subscription-based meals hampering the growth of the UAE Subscription-based Meal Market.

The UAE Subscription-based Meals Market Trend:

Escalating Growth of Sustainable & Eco-friendly Food Packaging – The growing urbanization coupled with increasing expansion of industries in the country has resulted in surging carbon emissions creating the demand for sustainable solutions and practices in the UAE. The businesses and consumers both are focusing on sustainable practices and opting for sustainable means of products in the country. The growing environmental concerns among consumers coupled with government initiatives for sustainability, such as the UAE Green Agenda 2030 have resulted in the surged demand for sustainable and eco-friendly practices in the country.

Moreover, the government bodies in the country are formulating stringent rules and regulations related to the emissions and recyclability of the products. The companies have to comply with the standard regulations regarding plastic wastage, pollution, and overall sustainable footprints of the company. This has resulted in the adoption of sustainable packaging in the subscription-based meal business. Consumers in the country are inclined to support brands that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. Various organizations such as All Naturals, Ecoware, etc., are providing eco-friendly food packaging options owing to the rising trend for sustainable packaging.

In response, various food providers, such as FittMeals, SpringFeelings, etc., are using paper-based, eco-friendly packaging options to cater to the growing demand for sustainable food packaging, which is emerging as a major trend in the UAE Subscription-based Meal Market.

The UAE Subscription-based Meals Market (2024-30): Segmentation Analysis

The UAE Subscription-based Meals 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 country level. As per the analysis, the market has been further classified as:

Based on Cuisine Type:

• International/Wholesome
• Indian
• Arabic
• Others

The International/Wholesome segment is expected to hold a considerable share in the UAE Subscription-based Meals Market during the forecast period, owing to cultural diversity and rising food tourism in the country. The UAE is home to a variety of cultures, with a large expatriate population representing various nationalities. This diversity has led to an increased appetite for a wide range of international cuisines, catering to the culinary preferences of residents from different parts of the world. Also, increasing health consciousness among residents has further prompted a preference for nutritious, wholesome options over-indulgent or heavy meals among consumers in the country.

Moreover, the cosmopolitan nature of the UAE cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi fosters a vibrant culinary scenario, creating the demand for international menus and cuisines among individuals. In addition, the UAE's vibrant tourism sector contributes to the demand for international cuisines. Further, tourists and locals alike seek out diverse dining experiences, driving the popularity of subscription-based meal services that offer a variety of international options proliferating market growth.

Based on Diet Type:

• Vegan/Vegetarian
• Pescatarian/Non-Vegetarian

The Vegan/Vegetarian segment holds a significant market share of the UAE Subscription-based Meals Market owing to the rising vegan population driven by environmental concerns and health & wellness trends. The growing awareness of health and wellness has led individuals to adopt plant-based diets as a means of promoting better health in the country. Moreover, the culturally diverse consumer base in the country further demands plant-based food options as per their food preferences.

Also, the accessibility of vegan and vegetarian options through meal delivery services further facilitates this transition, making it easier for consumers to explore and incorporate plant-based meals into their daily routines. Furthermore, endorsements from celebrities and influencers, coupled with heightened media coverage on the benefits of plant-based diets, are amplifying awareness and driving consumer interest. Subscription-based meal providers such as Delicut, Meals On Me, etc., are providing vegan food options to the consumers catering to this burgeoning demand for vegan and vegetarian food products. This, in turn, is leading to the surged growth and adoption of vegan food products propelling the growth of the UAE Subscription-based Meal Market.

The UAE Subscription-based Meal Market Recent Development:

• 2022: Kcal, launched a brand-new menu with over 30 delicious and healthy dishes ideal for an entire family.

Gain a Competitive Edge with Our UAE Subscription-based Meals Market Report

• The UAE Subscription-based Meals 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 UAE Subscription-based Meals 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.