| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Historical Data Period | 2019 - 2023 |
| CAGR | 8.00% |
| Market Concentration | High |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Middle East and Africa Free-From Food Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The Middle East and Africa Free-From Food Market is expected to register a CAGR of 8% during the forecast period.
- The free-from food products have a significant scope to expand in the region. The retailers in the region generally operate in the low-margin environment. The local and expat population in the region are becoming highly aware of free-from food products, as well as the potential role of these products in a balanced diet and ensuring good health, which is expected to drive a significant growth in the market, over the forecast period.
- Moreover, a major portion of the Middle East & African population is lactose intolerant. Soy-based dairy alternative, followed by rice- and coconut-based dairy alternatives dominate the market. The aforementioned factors, coupled with the rising consumer preferences to maintain a healthy diet, are driving the growth of the free-from food products in the region.
- However, the comparatively high prices of free-from food products pose a challenge to the market. The presence of nutritionally-equivalent alternatives for a lower price affects the consumer behavior and refrains the purchase of free-from food products.
Middle East and Africa Free-From Food Market Trends and Insights
Rising Awareness on Clean Labeling in Africa
Clean-label ingredients are consumer-friendly ingredients, which are natural, organic, non-GMO, and very minimally processed. The omission and elimination of intolerable and allergenic ingredients in clean-label products is facilitating the market for free-from foods in Africa.
The clean label trend started more recently in the African countries especially in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Egypt but is growing fast year on year. Therefore, clean label market can be considered to be a developing market in Africa.
In Egypt, the free-from trend is forcing the bakery industry to reconsider the traditional preservation methods and replace chemical preservatives with natural alternatives to guarantee the clean label.
Growing consumer awareness of food ingredients and the desire for simple, natural foods have forced food manufacturers to develop products with a clean label appeal. This trend is only significant in the urban areas of Egypt and among the effluent class.
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The Increasing Consumption of the Free-From Food in UAE
Being an import driven country, the United Arab Emirates imports majority of its gluten-free products from Europe, the United States, and Australia. Some of the international brands offering gluten-free products in the UAE market are Schär, Gerblé products from Nutrition and Santé, Choithrams (gluten-free bread), Barkat gluten-free pastas, and Alara gluten-free cereals.
With the growing demand for gluten-free and allergen free products in the UAE market, many regional players are also emerging in the market. For instance, Areej Jomaa operates a 100% gluten-free bakery in Dubai, where all the gluten-, lactose-, and allergen-free products are available.
Moreover, the online retail plaforms are too occupying this space in the country for instance, the GlutenFree-Supermarket.ae is an online shop selling all gluten-free food items, including dry goods, such as cereal, pasta, bead, sweets, pastries, and condiments.
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Competitive Landscape
The Middle East and Africa free-from food market is highly competitive, with a prominent presence of private label brands, and highly fragmented. Key players in the market include Dr. Schar AG/SpA, Hain Celestial, General Mills, and Danone SA.
Over the past few years, expanding one's market presence in emerging economies like Afica and Asia-Pacific region has been a key strategy behind the major companies' growth. With growing income levels and an increasing level of knowledge regarding the consumption of healthy food in these economies, companies are catering to the healthy needs of the people.
Middle East and Africa Free-From Food Industry Leaders
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Danone S.A.
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The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.
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General Mills, Inc.
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Dr. Schär AG / SPA
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Orgran SA
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Middle East and Africa Free-From Food Market Report Scope
The Middle Wast and Africa Free-From-Food market is segmented by type into gluten free, dairy free, allergen free and other types, by end product into bakery and confectionery, dairy free foods, snacks, beverages, and other end products, by distribution channel into supermarkets/hypermarkets, online retail stores, convenience stores and other distribution channels.
By Type
| Gluten Free |
| Dairy Free |
| Allergen Free |
| Other Types |
By End Product
| Bakery and Confectionery |
| Dairy Free Foods |
| Snacks |
| Beverages |
| Other End Products |
By Distribution Channel
| Supermarkets/Hypermarkets |
| Online Retail Stores |
| Convenience Stores |
| Other Distribution Channels |
By Country
| South Africa |
| United Arab Emirates |
| Saudi Arabia |
| Rest of Middle East and Africa |
| By Type | Gluten Free |
| Dairy Free | |
| Allergen Free | |
| Other Types | |
| By End Product | Bakery and Confectionery |
| Dairy Free Foods | |
| Snacks | |
| Beverages | |
| Other End Products | |
| By Distribution Channel | Supermarkets/Hypermarkets |
| Online Retail Stores | |
| Convenience Stores | |
| Other Distribution Channels | |
| By Country | South Africa |
| United Arab Emirates | |
| Saudi Arabia | |
| Rest of Middle East and Africa |
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Key Questions Answered in the Report
What is the current Middle East and Africa Free-From Food Market size?
The Middle East and Africa Free-From Food Market is projected to register a CAGR of 8% during the forecast period (2025-2030)
Who are the key players in Middle East and Africa Free-From Food Market?
Danone S.A., The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., General Mills, Inc., Dr. Schär AG / SPA and Orgran SA are the major companies operating in the Middle East and Africa Free-From Food Market.
What years does this Middle East and Africa Free-From Food Market cover?
The report covers the Middle East and Africa Free-From Food Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Middle East and Africa Free-From Food Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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Middle East and Africa Free-From Food Market Report
Statistics for the 2025 Middle East and Africa Free-From Food market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Middle East and Africa Free-From Food analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
