Middle East And Africa Fresh Food Packaging Market Size, Share, Opportunities, COVID-19 Impact, And Trends By Material (Plastic, Paper And Board, Glass, Metal), By Application (Poultry And Meat Products, Dairy Products, Produce (Vegetables And Fruits), Sea Food, Others), And By Country - Forecasts From 2022 To 2027

The Middle East and Africa (MEA) fresh food packaging market is expected to surge at a CAGR of 1.08% throughout the forecast period. Increasing seafood consumption is one of the major drivers of the Middle East and Africa (MEA) fresh food packaging market. Supportive government policies to boost domestic seafood production are also contributing to the market growth of fresh food packaging in the Middle East and Africa (MEA). For example, as per Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, the NFDP (National Fisheries Development Program) has been allocated a budget of US$400 million over the next five years to support the development of the country’s seafood sector, out of which US$106 million has been designated specifically for developing the aquaculture infrastructure in the country.

 The rising demand for poultry products in the country is another factor that is propelling the market growth of fresh food packaging in the Middle East and Africa (MEA). This is because the rising demand for eggs is encouraging more domestic production. Chicken meat is the most preferred source of protein across all consumer income levels in Middle Eastern countries.

 High disposable incomes are also supporting the growing demand for domestic poultry products as they feel more assured that the meat fulfils the Halal requirements. The rapidly rising tourism industry in countries like the UAE is also augmenting the demand for fresh food products in the country, thereby fueling the growth of the fresh food packaging market across the region.

Governments in MEA countries are encouraging the domestic production of fresh food products in order to be self-sufficient while reducing their dependence on imports. This factor will also fuel the market growth of fresh food packaging in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) during the next five years.

The Middle East and Africa (MEA) Fresh Food Packaging market has been segmented on the basis of material, application, and geography.

By material, the market has been segmented as plastic, paper and board, glass, and metal. By application, the Middle East and Africa (MEA) fresh food packaging market has been classified into poultry and meat products, dairy products, produce (vegetables and fruits), seafood, and others. By country, the Middle East and Africa (MEA) market has been segmented into UAE, Israel, South Africa, and Others.

By material, the paper and board segment holds the largest market share of the fresh food packaging market and is projected to surge at a considerable CAGR throughout the forecast period owing to the high adoption of paper and boards as sustainable packaging solutions.

 Furthermore, metal is also anticipated to show decent growth over the forecast period owing to the growing seafood industry coupled with growing aquaculture production in Middle East countries.

By application, poultry and meat products hold a significant market share in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) fresh food packaging market. Market growth in this segment is attributed to the continuous rise in demand for poultry products in the Middle East and North Africa owing to rising disposable incomes and increasing urbanization.

Moreover, the higher cost of beef products coupled with religious restrictions on pork in the Middle East region also makes chicken the most consumed meat across this region. However, produce (fruits and vegetables) dominates the segment and is expected to continue doing so throughout the forecast period.

By country, the UAE is experiencing significant market growth during the forecast period owing to the high disposable income in many parts of the UAE, coupled with the rapid growth of the tourism sector in this country. Israel will grow at the lowest CAGR during the forecast period as the rising vegan population in the country is affecting the overall demand for poultry and meat products, dairy, and seafood products, thereby hindering the overall market growth of fresh food packaging in the country.

Covid-19 Impact on Middle East and Africa Fresh Food Packaging Market:

The outbreak of the Covid-19 Pandemic had a positive impact on the overall market growth due to the rising investments by manufacturers in flexible packaging production, especially for fast-moving consumer goods, such as food & beverages, and others. Moreover, with the increasing preferences of the millennial population for fast food and convenience products, there has been a rise in the adoption of flexible packaging products, that comes in small bags, pouches, and others. To address sustainable development goals, there has been a surge in the adoption of paper-based flexible packaging products which has driven the market growth.

Key developments:

• Sept 2021: Huhtamaki completes the acquisition of Elif, a major supplier of sustainable flexible packaging to global FMCG brand owners, with operations in Turkey and in Egypt. With the help of this acquisition, the company is planning to strengthen its position as a leading flexible packaging company in emerging markets and existing flexible packaging business in attractive consumer product categories.
• Dec 2019: SIG Combibloc Obeikan and Pioneer Foods, the largest producer and distributor of food and beverage products in South Africa has launched the first combismile carton pack in the Middle East and Africa region. With this innovation, pioneer foods were planning to grab new market opportunities and offer premium product differentiation across their portfolio.

Middle East and Africa Fresh Food Packaging Market Scope:

Market Segmentation

• By Material
  • Plastic
  • Paper and Board
  • Glass
  • Metal
• By Application
  • Poultry and Meat Products
  • Dairy Products
  • Produce (Vegetables and Fruits)
  • Seafood
  • Others
• By Country
  • UAE
  • Israel
  • South Africa
  • Others