MEA Meat Substitute Products Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Historical Data Period | 2019 - 2023 |
| CAGR | 8.64% |
| Market Concentration | Medium |
Major Players*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
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MEA Meat Substitute Products Market Analysis
The Middle East & Africa Meat Substitute Market is expected to register a CAGR of 8.64% during the forecast period.
With the increase in global inhabitants settling in the Middle East and Africa, there has been increasing demand for various food products. Global campaigns and 'go vegetarian' promotions also influence the demand in these countries. Therefore, consumers are shifting toward vegetarian diets. Meat substitutes are also highly preferred by consumers. Market companies are launching products that are not only cooked like meat but are also healthier than meat. Products like seitan, tofu, mushrooms, tempeh, eggplant, jackfruit, lentils, eggplant, cauliflower, beans, and legumes are widely popular among vegan consumers.
People have begun to take responsibility for their health and well-being to avoid the risk of serious chronic diseases. People also avoid foods with more additives, paving the way for clean-labeled meat substitute products. Meat alternatives are likely to replace meat products in the region, with several restaurants launching vegetarian menus and customizing vegetarian foods as per the tastes of consumers. The predominantly consumed meat alternatives in the region are soy-based meat proteins. The region is experiencing many key players specializing in meat substitutes, which is likely to drive future market growth.
MEA Meat Substitute Products Market Trends
Changing Consumer Habits and Rising Veganism
There has been a growing awareness among Middle East and African people regarding healthy vegetarian food options available in the region. The rising popularity of ethnic cuisines from the Asian region is a significant factor in boosting the market's growth. Therefore, people are slowly turning toward vegetarian diets. People have begun to take responsibility for their health and well-being to avoid the risk of serious chronic diseases and obesity. Being obese or overweight raises the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, muscle and skeletal disorders, and some types of cancer. According to a survey by the WHO in 2022, one in five adults and one in 10 children and teenagers are projected to be obese by December 2023.
The demand for clean labels, ease of digestion, the need or want to avoid allergens, compatibility with vegetarian and vegan lifestyles, and concerns about sustainability among the general population spotlight meat substitutes. People also avoid foods with more additives, paving the way for clean-labeled meat substitute products. According to a study about vegetarian diets published on PubMed Central, the prevalence of vegetarianism in the Middle East and Africa was approximately 16% in 2021. This gradual inclination toward meat substitutes is primarily associated with sustainability issues, health awareness, ethical or religious views, and environmental and animal rights.
United Arab Emirates Holds a Prominent Share in the Market
Health and environmental concerns and varied religious traditions (due to the presence of multi-cultural people) rank the top reasons promoting the market in the United Arab Emirates, encouraging people to consume vegetarian diets with healthier vegetarian ingredients. Consumers are more likely to buy meat substitutes that are delicious, more beneficial, and also competitively priced. The companies in the market are launching products that are not only cooked like meat but are also healthier than meat. For instance, in January 2021, Starbucks launched two Beyond Meat sandwiches across the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
Due to the large portion of the world's population that has relocated to African and Arabic nations in search of employment and the expansion of tourism industries in these nations, there has been an increase in the demand for meat substitutes in countries like South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. People throughout the Middle East and Africa are becoming more aware of the variety of nutritious vegetarian foods available. According to World Bank, the number of international tourists arriving in the United Arab Emirates increased in 2021, amounting to approximately 12.6 million people, compared to the previous year, which was 8.1 million. Owing to the health benefits and change in eating patterns, the market for meat substitutes across the region is growing.
MEA Meat Substitute Products Industry Overview
The Middle East and African meat substitute products market is competitive. A few major companies in the market are Impossible Foods Inc., Premier Foods PLC, The Campbell Soup Company, Beyond Meat Inc., and VBites Foods Ltd. New product launches that include innovative flavors, improved and meat-like textures, and mergers and acquisitions with local players have been robust business strategies for market growth. Most companies are launching and customizing vegetarian food, which may substitute meat and suit the tastes and preferences of people preferring meat-based products.
MEA Meat Substitute Products Market Leaders
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Impossible Foods Inc.
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Premier Foods PLC
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The Campbell Soup Company
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Beyond Meat Inc.
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VBites Foods Ltd.
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
MEA Meat Substitute Products Market News
- In March 2023, the IFFCO Group, one of UAE's largest producers of food products, opened the first 100% plant-based meat factory in Dubai. The factory will provide nourishing, sustainable, and healthy local plant-based meat products inspired by the unique flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine.
- In October 2021, Impossible Foods expanded into the Middle Eastern market by appointing Bidfood UAE, a leading multi-channel foodservice provider, as an official distributor of the ImpossibleTM Burger across the United Arab Emirates.
- In January 2021, Al Islami Foods, a leading frozen food company in the Middle East, launched its first plant-based burger to debut in the emerging meat alternatives market. The company rolled it out at major co-op stores in the United Arab Emirates, followed by other supermarket and hypermarket groups.
MEA Meat Substitute Products Industry Segmentation
Meat substitutes are food products made from plant-based ingredients and eaten as a replacement for meat. The Middle East and African meat substitute products market is segmented by type, distribution channel, and geography. By product type, the market is segmented into tofu, tempeh, TVP (textured vegetable protein), seitan, and other product types. By distribution channel, the market is segmented into supermarkets/hypermarkets, convenience stores, online retailers, and other distribution channels. By geography, the market is segmented into South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Rest of Middle East and Africa. The market sizing has been done in value terms in USD for all the abovementioned segments.
| Product Type | Tofu |
| Tempeh | |
| TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein) | |
| Seitan | |
| Other Product Types | |
| Distribution Channel | Supermarkets/Hypermarkets |
| Convenience Store | |
| Online Retailers | |
| Other Distribution Channels | |
| Geography | South Africa |
| United Arab Emirates | |
| Saudi Arabia | |
| Turkey | |
| Rest of Middle East and Africa |
| Tofu |
| Tempeh |
| TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein) |
| Seitan |
| Other Product Types |
| Supermarkets/Hypermarkets |
| Convenience Store |
| Online Retailers |
| Other Distribution Channels |
| South Africa |
| United Arab Emirates |
| Saudi Arabia |
| Turkey |
| Rest of Middle East and Africa |
MEA Meat Substitute Products Market Research FAQs
What is the current Middle East & Africa Meat Substitute Market size?
The Middle East & Africa Meat Substitute Market is projected to register a CAGR of 8.64% during the forecast period (2025-2030)
Who are the key players in Middle East & Africa Meat Substitute Market?
Impossible Foods Inc., Premier Foods PLC, The Campbell Soup Company, Beyond Meat Inc. and VBites Foods Ltd. are the major companies operating in the Middle East & Africa Meat Substitute Market.
What years does this Middle East & Africa Meat Substitute Market cover?
The report covers the Middle East & Africa Meat Substitute Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Middle East & Africa Meat Substitute Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Page last updated on: June 16, 2024
MEA Meat Substitute Products Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 Middle East & Africa Meat Substitute market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligenceâ„¢ Industry Reports. Middle East & Africa Meat Substitute 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.
