Middle East & Africa Ice Cream Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Regional Analysis - by Flavor, Category, Form, and Distribution Channel

The MEA ice cream market is expected to grow from US$ 3,343.49 million in 2022 to US$ 4,278.32 million by 2028; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2022 to 2028.

Functional ice cream has become a popular product among health-conscious consumers as it contains high-quality ingredients and fulfills consumers’ nutritional requirements more than regular ice cream. Traditional ice cream contains nutritional properties and various health benefits. So, the increasing interest of ice cream manufacturers in fortification and the addition of functional ingredients may influence the consumer’s decision to select a healthy alternative. Beyond basic nutrition, functional food provides advantages that can help lower or prevent the risk of certain diseases. Moreover, sugar-free, low-fat functional ice creams are gaining huge popularity due to their health benefits. The COVID-19 pandemic further influenced the demand for functional ice creams, and manufacturers are taking advantage of this opportunity. Low-sugar and high-protein ice cream have become especially popular among athletes and consumers looking for non-staple food and beverage products with better nutritional content. The high demand for functional ice creams is majorly driven by product innovations, especially in terms of taste profile and nutritional value. The rise in demand for functional ice cream is expected to create lucrative growth opportunities in the ice cream market across the region during the forecast period.

Vendors in the ice cream market can attract new customers and expand their footprints in emerging markets by offering products with new features and technologies. This factor is likely to drive the MEA ice cream market at a good CAGR during the forecast period.

MEA Ice Cream Market Segmentation

The MEA ice cream market is segmented on the basis of flavor, category, form, distribution channel, and country. Based on flavor, the market is segmented into vanilla, chocolate, fruit, and others. The chocolate segment dominated the market in 2022 and is expected to register the highest CAGR during forecast period.
Based on category, the market is segmented into conventional and sugar free. The conventional segment dominated the market in 2022 and sugar free segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
Based on form, the MEA ice cream market is segmented into cups & tubs, bars & sticks, and others. The cups & tubs segment dominated the market in 2022, and the bars & sticks segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
Based on distribution channel, the MEA ice cream market is segmented into supermarkets and hypermarkets, specialty store, online retail, and others. The supermarkets and hypermarkets segment dominated the market in 2022, and the online retail segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
Based on country, the MEA ice cream market is segmented into Saudi Arabia, the UAE, South Africa, and Rest of MEA.

General Mills Inc.; Inspire Brands, Inc.; Lotte Confectionery Co., Ltd.; Mars, Incorporated; Nestlé S.A.; and Unilever are among the leading companies in the MEA ice cream market.