Middle East & Africa Food Gifting Market Outlook, 2029

The Middle East and Africa (MEA) food gifting market has been experiencing substantial growth, driven by evolving consumer preferences and the region's cultural importance of gift-giving. In these culturally rich and diverse areas, gifting food is a way to express hospitality, celebration, and appreciation. Traditionally, food gifts such as dates, sweets, and specialty delicacies have played a vital role in celebrations like Eid, weddings, and festivals, where sharing food reflects a gesture of goodwill and social bonding. Over time, however, the concept of food gifting has expanded beyond tradition, embracing a wide range of choices that cater to different dietary preferences, tastes, and lifestyles.

The MEA food gifting market’s appeal also lies in the increasing demand for premium, personalized, and health-conscious options. Consumers now look for unique and exotic offerings, from gourmet hampers and artisan chocolates to organic and vegan treats. The growing interest in such premium gifts has inspired retailers and online platforms to enhance their offerings, catering to both local consumers and tourists looking to bring a piece of MEA’s culinary charm back home. The market is further enriched by a focus on presentation and packaging, with beautifully crafted baskets and boxes adding a luxurious feel to the gift.

With more people opting for experiences over material gifts, food gifting in MEA presents an enjoyable, memorable alternative. As more options become available, from specialized stores to online delivery, the food gifting market in the MEA region holds promising growth potential, offering diverse products that blend tradition with modernity, and convenience with sophistication.

According to the research report, “Middle East & Africa Food Gifting Market Outlook, 2029,”published by Bonafide Research, the MEA Food Gifting market is anticipated to add to more than USD 950 Million from 2024 to 2029. The MEA food gifting market has been evolving with several trends shaping its growth and popularity. A notable trend is the increasing demand for healthy and premium products, such as organic and gluten-free items, as consumers across the region show more interest in wellness-oriented gifting options. This shift has encouraged food gifting companies to offer assortments that emphasize health, quality, and sustainability.

Additionally, premiumization in food gifting has seen a rise, with customers opting for luxurious packaging and customized hampers that add value to the overall gift. On the regulatory front, governments in the MEA region have been focusing on stringent food safety and quality standards, ensuring that all products sold for gifting meet local health guidelines.

Some countries have specific labeling and packaging standards to assure consumers of product quality and authenticity, especially with imported gourmet foods and items sold in premium food hampers. Such regulations are important as they build trust among consumers and help promote local specialty food items. Technological advancements are also playing a role in the market's expansion.

E-commerce and digital platforms are making it easier for customers to browse, personalize, and purchase food gifts from the comfort of their homes. These platforms, sometimes coupled with mobile apps, provide curated gift options, same-day delivery, and even subscription services that add a convenient, customer-focused approach to food gifting. Key players in the market include specialty food stores, local gourmet producers, and a growing number of online gift platforms that focus on diverse offerings for different occasions. Through a mix of quality, convenience, and customization, these companies continue to shape the market, ensuring that food gifting remains an appealing choice for consumers in the MEA region.

Market Drivers

• Increasing Popularity of Premiumization: Consumers across the MEA region are increasingly seeking premium food gifting options, pushing the market towards more luxurious and specialized products. With a growing middle and upper class, people are willing to spend more on high-quality, unique, and artisanal items, especially when gifting. This trend is encouraging brands to offer upscale assortments, from handpicked dates to gourmet chocolates. Premiumization adds value, making food gifts more memorable and enjoyable, and retailers have capitalized on this by creating attractive packaging and unique, exotic food items that enhance the gift experience.
• Growing Demand for Health-Conscious Options: Health-conscious consumer behavior is transforming food gifting, with a surge in demand for organic, gluten-free, and other wellness-oriented options. MEA consumers are becoming more aware of dietary preferences and health benefits, especially when choosing gifts for loved ones. This shift towards healthier choices has opened new opportunities for brands to create wellness-oriented food gifts, such as organic hampers or dried fruits, meeting the needs of a health-focused demographic. As more consumers value healthy lifestyles, the demand for nutritious food gifts continues to grow.

Market Challenges

• Seasonal Fluctuations in Demand: The MEA food gifting market experiences strong seasonal demand around holidays and festivals, leading to fluctuating sales patterns. While demand spikes during major celebrations, it can slow considerably at other times of the year, making it challenging for businesses to maintain consistent revenue. This seasonality requires brands to carefully manage inventory and marketing strategies, balancing the high demand during peak periods with the slower months. Offering year-round gifting solutions and promoting alternative occasions for food gifting can help sustain demand outside traditional seasons.

Market Trends

• Rise of Subscription-Based Food Gifts: Subscription-based food gifting is gaining popularity, providing recipients with monthly or quarterly deliveries of curated food items. This trend appeals to customers who want to offer an ongoing gift experience, allowing the recipient to enjoy a variety of treats over time. Such subscriptions often include gourmet foods, artisanal products, or seasonal delights that offer a continuous and curated experience. This approach transforms food gifting from a one-time event into a series of thoughtful gestures, appealing to consumers looking for a memorable and sustained way to express care.

Confectionery stands out as the most popular product type in the MEA food gifting market, largely due to its universal appeal and adaptability across various cultural and personal preferences.

Confectionery stands out as the most popular product type in the MEA food gifting market, largely due to its universal appeal and adaptability across various cultural and personal preferences. Confectionery items - such as chocolates, sweets, and artisanal treats - are widely recognized as delightful, shareable gifts that bring joy to both the giver and receiver. Chocolates, in particular, are celebrated for their ability to convey affection and celebration, making them ideal for gifting. MEA consumers often seek high-quality, beautifully packaged confectionery that enhances the gifting experience, ensuring the gift is both memorable and visually appealing.

The demand for premium, unique confectionery options has led to an increase in artisanal and luxury chocolates that cater to health-conscious preferences as well, including sugar-free, organic, and vegan varieties. In a region where the market for gourmet and health-focused products is expanding, the diversity within the confectionery segment meets a wide range of consumer needs.

Additionally, gifting confectionery is a well-established custom during significant events such as weddings, birthdays, and religious festivals. As these treats are universally loved and readily accepted in all social and cultural circles, confectionery remains the top choice for food gifting, with ample room for brands to innovate and offer exclusive options that resonate with the preferences of the MEA market.

Festive and seasonal gifting plays a crucial role in the MEA food gifting market, as culturally significant occasions drive the demand for thoughtful food gifts.

Festive and seasonal gifting plays a crucial role in the MEA food gifting market, as culturally significant occasions drive the demand for thoughtful food gifts. Celebrations like Eid, Ramadan, and various national holidays are central to the MEA lifestyle, and food gifting becomes an expression of joy, respect, and goodwill during these times. Consumers often seek high-quality, culturally relevant food gifts such as sweets, dates, and specialty confectionery, making seasonal occasions a peak period for food gifting sales. Festive food gifts are also associated with luxury and are often chosen to convey care and respect, creating demand for premium, decorative packaging that aligns with the cultural values of the occasion.

Offline distribution channels further reinforce the popularity of festive and seasonal gifting, as they offer consumers a tangible, hands-on experience. Many consumers prefer physical stores, as they can see, touch, and select the food gifts directly, ensuring quality and presentation. Offline channels, including specialty stores, supermarkets, and markets, provide curated assortments of seasonal food gifts, often accompanied by personalized packaging or cultural motifs, which online platforms may not offer to the same extent. Physical stores also facilitate last-minute shopping, allowing consumers to make purchases immediately, especially during peak festive times. As a result, offline shopping and seasonal occasions remain tightly linked, both driving the growth of the MEA food gifting market.

Saudi Arabia is the leading country in the MEA food gifting market due to a blend of cultural traditions, economic prosperity.

Saudi Arabia is the leading country in the MEA food gifting market due to a blend of cultural traditions, economic prosperity, and strong demand for premium food gifts. Food gifting is deeply embedded in Saudi culture, especially during significant events like Eid, Ramadan, and weddings, where it symbolizes generosity, respect, and social bonding. During these celebrations, gifting high-quality food items - such as dates, chocolates, and sweets - becomes customary, and there is a preference for premium and luxury items, which has fostered a strong market for food gifts. Saudi Arabia's affluent population further drives the demand for exclusive and high-end food gifts.

With one of the largest economies in the MEA region, consumers in Saudi Arabia are willing to spend more on premium products, which has spurred the growth of gourmet food and luxury confectionery segments. This trend is amplified by an increasing focus on health-conscious and wellness-oriented food options, with many consumers favoring organic, sugar-free, or vegan options as gifts. Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s high disposable income levels and preference for quality have created a flourishing market for customized and beautifully packaged food gifts, often sourced from renowned international and local brands. The country’s well-established retail infrastructure supports this demand.

Saudi Arabia has a wide network of malls, specialty stores, and supermarkets, which allows consumers easy access to diverse food gifting options. Offline channels are particularly popular for food gifting, as many Saudis prefer shopping in physical stores where they can directly experience the quality of food items. Furthermore, e-commerce is on the rise, enabling consumers to order personalized food gifts for doorstep delivery, especially during festive seasons. Together, these factors position Saudi Arabia as a leader in the MEA food gifting market, making it a focal point for both local and international food brands looking to expand in the region.

Considered in this report

• Historic Year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029

Aspects covered in this report

• Food Gifting Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Region & country wise Food Gifting market analysis
• Application wise Food Gifting distribution
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product type

• Confectionery
• Fresh & Dried Fruits (Healthy and Organic Foods)
• Bakery & Pastry/sweets Products
• Beverages (Wines, Tea, Coffee, etc)
• Others

By Occasion

• Festive/seasonal Gifting
• Corporate Gifting
• Birthday & Anniversaries
• Others

By Distribution Channel

• Offline
• Online

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases.

After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to agriculture industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.


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