GCC Disposables (Single-Use) Packaging Market Size

GCC Disposables (Single-Use) Packaging Market Analysis

The GCC Disposables Packaging Market size is estimated at USD 2.25 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 2.72 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.94% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

Growth in the urban population and the consequent increase in demand for food services significantly impact the market's growth. The amount of money consumers spend on food services has increased dramatically. Packaging is increasingly essential to ensuring food safety and offering convenience to consumers as this trend grows. For example, adequate package labeling enables food preparers to understand the product's source, the appropriate holding temperature, and the necessary amount of cooking.

• The demand for online food delivery services is growing as sustainability and convenience in the food industry become increasingly important. Healthy growth in end-users, such as quick-service restaurants, full-service restaurants, and coffee shops, drives the demand for food-service restaurants. Food delivery service providers are aware of changing customer demands and respond to these changing preferences.
• Increasing smartphone sales and rising internet penetration are driving the growth of the GCC online grocery delivery market. E-commerce continues to transform the GCC's food industry, with consumer confidence remaining relatively high as online grocery shopping and mobile e-commerce offer new ways to purchase groceries and services. In addition, digitization and the emergence of advanced online services are creating growth opportunities for the GCC's online grocery delivery market. For instance, Saudi Arabia has launched the Saudi Vision 2030 program, and the United Arab Emirates is promoting initiatives as part of the UAE Digital Government Strategy 2025.
• Various online food delivery companies are focused on entering the GCC market to expand their regional businesses. For instance, in April 2023, the food delivery app Deliveroo expanded its services across the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar. The company, which forayed into the GCC market a few years ago by setting up shop in the UAE, will focus on expanding its network of dark kitchens to power its growth.
• Single-use food packaging is taking a significant toll on the environment as it is one of the primary sources of plastic waste. The plastic waste problem in the region is a major environmental issue related to pollution and safe disposal. Despite efforts to use alternative materials and recent developments in biodegradable plastics, the situation still needs improvement. The increasing awareness about the environmental effects of single-use plastic and unsustainable business practices has empowered consumers to demand a higher standard of product with a positive ecological impact. Further, initiatives such as promoting sustainable and biodegradable packaging are expected to negatively impact market growth during the forecast period.
• Post-COVID-19, ordering food online or using mobile applications has become increasingly common in the GCC countries during the pandemic, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. These systems make it simple for customers to explore menus, place orders, and follow the progress of their deliveries. Deliveroo, Talabat, and, shortly, Yalah are some of the UAE's most well-known meal delivery applications.
• Presently, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt drive most of the sector's expansion, accounting for 80% of the total. The whole e-commerce market in the region Before COVID-19, the UAE's digital economy contributed 4.3% to the country's gross domestic product (GDP). Furthermore, according to the Dubai Future Foundation, the country's commerce market is expected to reach USD 62.8 billion by 2023. The industry in Saudi Arabia predicted a market volume of USD 8.2 billion by 2024. In 2023, the GCC's meal delivery market is anticipated to expand further, propelled by rising internet usage and the growing acceptance of online food ordering. The rising use of online delivery, which escalated during the pandemic, would positively impact disposable packaging demand.