Middle East and Africa Plant Protein Market - Forecasts from 2023 to 2028

The Middle East and Africa plant protein market is expected to grow to US$733.218 million in 2028, up from US$ 377.929 million in 2021, with a CAGR of 9.93% during the projected period.

The increasing number of health-conscious consumers who are trying to find alternatives to animal-based food is one of the major reasons driving the market growth. Additionally, increasing trends for veganism coupled with increasing demand for soy-free, and gluten-free protein is adding fuel to the market of plant-protein. Factors such as a protein-rich diet, increasing consumer focus on meat alternatives, and growing health and wellness focus can further contribute to increased demand for plant protein in the projected period.

Increasing health consciousness among people

Plant protein is rich in fiber and is high in protein. There is an increase in the number of people suffering from diabetes, and other chronic diseases is pushing people to avoid an animal meat diet and is increasing the demand for plant protein. Additionally, one of the reasons for looking for meat substitutes in the region is due to animal welfare, environmental and health-related reasons, high sustainability of plant-derived products, and functional efficacy all are contributing to the growth of the plant protein market in the Middle East and Africa region in the forecasted period.

 In November 2022, the World Organization for Animal Health gave strategies for animal welfare in the Middle East during 2022-2025. The four main goals of this program are understanding and awareness of animal welfare in the region, commitment to the implementation of WOAH animal welfare standards and guidelines, achievement of sustainable improvement in animal welfare, and lastly mechanism and funding to coordinate and promote animal welfare programs and priorities in the region. Hence, such programs can also have the effect of reducing meat in the region and increasing consumption of plant protein to compensate for the loss in the coming years.

According to the International Diabetes Federation, the prevalence of diabetes in Saudi Arabia is expected to increase from 4,274.1 in 1,000 to 7,537.3 in 1,000 in 2045. The increasing threat of the chronic deceased such as diabetes can be one of the reasons encouraging consumers to try plant-protein diets that are rich in protein and have less saturated fats compared to animal meat. Hence, in the projected period with increasing awareness about the benefits of a plant-based diet, the market is anticipated to grow.

It is projected that the United Arab Emirates plant protein market will grow steadily. 

The growing vegan trend and healthy lifestyle adoption in the UAE have created an upsurge in plant-based food products which is majorly driving the demand for plant protein in the country. Additionally, the growing corn consumption is also expected to positively impact the demand for plant protein in the UAE. According to the USDA Office of Agricultural Affairs (Dubai), corn consumption for the marketing year 2023/2024 is expected to reach 4,40,000 MT thereby representing a 7% increase over 4,10,000 MT consumed for MY 2022/2023.

The United Arab Emirates is also witnessing positive growth in its plant-protein imports owing to the growing emphasis on a healthy lifestyle coupled with rapid urbanization which has further propelled the demand for plant-protein. For instance, in 2021, the Gulf Corporation Council imported plant-protein ingredients worth US$1.8 billion, of which UAE was the second largest importer after Saudi Arabia.

Market Key Developments

• In May 2023, Switch Foods opened its first plant-meat production facility in Abu Dabhi, and the establishment came as a part of the company’s effort to align with UAE’s “National Food Security Strategy 2051”
• In January 2022, Kerry Group expanded its operation in the Middle East by opening a state-of-the-art facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The company is one of the major companies leading taste and nutrition with 21,500 square-foot facility and an investment of 80 million pounds. The company plans to be one of the most modern and efficient facilities in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey.

Segmentation:

By Source

• Pea
• Rapeseed
• Soy
• Hempseed
• Others

By Form

• Protein Concentrates
• Protein Isolates
• Protein Hydrolysate

By Application

• Dietary Supplement
• Food and Beverages
• Pharmaceuticals
• Animal Feed

By Distribution Channel

• Online
• Offline

By Country

• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates
• Israel
• Turkey
• Egypt
• Nigeria
• Kenya
• South Africa
• Others