FMCG e-commerce holds significant growth potential in the Middle East, as consumers in the region increasingly turn to online shopping for time-saving and convenience, filling larger virtual carts than in physical stores, say experts.
The rising prevalence of eating disorders (EDs) and disordered eating behaviours (DEBs) among adolescents and young adults in Saudi Arabia prompts the need to raise awareness of healthy food consumption, say researchers.
Researchers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are urging policymakers to crack down on caffeinated energy drink consumption among school children, despite only 2% of those surveyed consuming them on a daily basis.
Middle Eastern giant Baladna is refocusing investments into projects targeting food security in more overseas markets as well as its new cheese production operation, marking a strategic shift despite positive financial results for FY2023 to date.
As COP28 kicks off, we look at Danone’s partnership with the Global Methane Hub and how effective technical solutions to methane mitigations really are.
India-based The Brooklyn Creamery is making headway in the Middle East by catering to the buying behaviours and eating habits of consumers in the region, including healthier options and innovative flavours.
Green coffee extract may have a beneficial effect on lipid profile and inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, a new study has concluded.
Middle Eastern food and beverage heavyweight Agthia has pledged to focus more investment into the digitalisation of its business as well as the creation of new snacking innovations in order to sustain the positive growth and profitability seen in the...
Snacking giant Mondelez has highlighted continued strong demand for its snack brands such as Oreo and Cadbury in emerging markets as key to its Q3 profitability, playing down threats from cheaper supermarket private label products.
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s heavy reliance on grain imports as a source of dietary calories and protein poses major risks to food security and nutrition level among its populations, say researchers.
Consumers in the Middle East are increasingly looking for protein-rich products to fulfil various needs, with claims ranging from sports performance to age-related muscle support.
Haleon’s vitamins, minerals, and supplements (VMS) sales in Q3 was led by Centrum’s double-digit growth in China, the US, and Middle East, which has offset the decline seen in Emergen-C, its other power brand.
Governments across the Middle East are ploughing in resources to increase food security and strengthen self-sufficiency, but where are the best opportunities for success, and how can considerable obstacles be overcome?
Although efforts show progress on plastic pollution is possible, the world is ‘not on course’ to eliminating plastic waste and pollution, stresses the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
Saudi Arabian F&B heavyweight Almarai has posted significant growth and profits in the first nine months of 2023 driven by stringent cost management and gains in the poultry category to offset Egyptian currency challenges.
Flaxseed supplementation could benefit polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) sufferers, but was found to have no significant impact on sex hormones, a new meta-analysis reports.
Asian millennial consumers’ demand for novel and higher-value sports and active nutrition products could play instrumental role in accelerating growth of the sector, insights from GlobalData reveal.
Greater attention should be paid to diet and nutrient intake, especially vitamin D, to improve bone mineral density among premenopausal women, say Saudi Arabian researchers.
This round-up features HSA Group’s insights on innovation drivers in Yemen, House of Pops’ collaboration with a Lebanese food company, demand for clean label and sugar-reduction beverages in the Middle East, key factors behind Saudi Arabia’s rapid food...
Plant-based and better-for-you vegetable snacks firm Nudie Snacks is targeting the Middle East market with its larger packaging size strategy on the back on a growing trend of consumers demanding not only healthier snack alternatives but also shareable...
The Dubai Municipality is doubling down on efforts to reduce food loss and waste by working with both local food companies and international organisations.
Yemen food manufacturing major Hayel Saeed Anam (HSA) Group is seeking to address the significant changes in consumption behaviour among the domestic population and food security issues in the country through product innovation and active collaborations.
Dubai-based ice cream brand House of Pops has tapped into the popularity of Lebanese cuisine in the UAE through a collaboration range that is infused with Levantine flavours.
National government support of food manufacturing localisation targets as well as the gradual rise of female leadership roles in the industry are serving as key factors behind Saudi Arabia’s rapid food industry growth in the Middle Eastern region, claim...
Beverage products entering the Middle Eastern market need to be clean label and low in sugar in order to gain a strong local foothold, with both regulatory pressure and consumer demand firmly pushing trends in this direction.
Beetroot juice supplementation among female volleyball players was found to improve muscle endurance and pain reduction after high-pressure training, says researchers.
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund Public Investment Fund (PIF) has set up a new firm called Sawani Company to catalyse the growth of the local camel dairy sector, as part of its efforts to transform the country’s economy.
The food security challenge of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries lies not in affordability but accessibility due to its heavy reliance on imports, which is increasingly vulnerable to global events, according to a new report.
Middle East food and beverage heavyweight Agthia is looking to expand further in major date-consuming markets worldwide after a profitable first half of the year, with plans to boost production and processing capabilities already in motion.
A new double-blind placebo-controlled study has found that rutin supplementation improved blood pressure, levels of antioxidant enzymes, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Einkorn is grown as a relict or niche crop in Europe. But as heatwaves shrivel the region’s grain production, it may hold the key for helping crop breeders in Europe to develop bread wheat varieties with improved hardiness, enhanced disease resistance...
Middle Eastern snacks firm Hunter Foods believes its Dubai-centric operations gives it a prime advantage in growing its premium snacks business due to the rich demographic mix and propensity for luxury in the city, eyeing to grow revenue threefold in...
Singapore-based OnlyEg has rapidly grown its presence in various markets across the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions with a focus on the taste and texture of its ‘no sacrifice’ plant-based eggs, available in a multitude of ready-to-eat (RTE) formats.
Long-established sauces brand Lee Kum Kee says it is keeping up with the times through flavour localisation, and staying attuned to global trends by introducing heathier options and convenience sauces.
Dubai-based ice cream brand House of Pops has detailed how its product development is being influenced by consumer trends in the Middle East’s snacking space, including plant-based and clean eating, functional foods, and personalisation.
The beverage and snacking categories in the United Arab Emirates have emerged as major food and beverage industry growth drivers over the past year, despite inflationary pressures in the region.
Middle Eastern consumers’ rising interest in foods and beverages that are healthy and indulgent, yet still easy to recognise, have led to increased demands for brands to focus on clean label ingredient lists, according to Olam Food Ingredients (ofi).
Dutch-based plant-based meat and seafood firm PLNT believes that its sodium-balanced, high-digestibility alternative protein products are well-placed to gain it entry into APAC and Middle Eastern markets.
Middle Eastern food and beverage giant Agthia has seen its snacking business grow leaps and bounds to secure company profitability in the first quarter of 2023, despite ongoing challenges from the Egyptian currency crisis and its protein business.
The role of governments is crucial to introduce affordable proper nutrition to mass consumers via the fortification of staple foods, particularly in countries with large populations such as India and China.
The alternative protein sector in the Middle East will need to work towards gaining regulatory acceptance and improved product accessibility to overcome consumer acceptance challenges, very similar to those that were faced in APAC.
Rice bran supplementation does not significantly improve lipid levels, including triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein levels, says a new meta-analysis and systematic review.
The Indonesian government has its eye on expanding meat exports to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where it hopes its halal certifications will appeal to consumers on pilgrimages.
UAE major conglomerate Gulf Marketing Group (GMG) has returned to its food manufacturing roots with the rebranding of its Farm Fresh meat and launch of its new Saporo spice brands, hoping to tap on the growing local cooking convenience market.
The irresponsible inclusion of prominent labels on food and beverage products to capitalise on current dietary trends and fads can pose immense health risks to consumers, especially if not backed up by proper research and data.
An expert panel with food industry heavyweights Nestle and Fresh Del Monte have highlighted the impact that nutritional education and product affordability have on encouraging ‘informed’ consumer purchasing decisions.
Indian biscuit giant Parle is looking to tap into premiumisation trends in the Middle East, believing that higher spending power and a demand for exclusivity are good drivers for its Platina range.
The FAO and WHO have debunked four key misconceptions and concerns surrounding cell-based meat, spanning tumour risk to a negative impact on the microbiome.
