United Arab Emirates (UAE) Disposables (Single-Use) Packaging Market Size

UAE Disposables (Single-Use) Packaging Market Analysis

The United Arab Emirates Disposables Packaging Market size is estimated at USD 1.42 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 1.68 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.45% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

• The increasing importance of factors, such as timeliness, convenience, and variety related to food items among consumers, poses huge potential for food disposables in the UAE market. Moreover, consumers' hectic lifestyle has given rise to the trend of takeout and catering services. The food service disposables market is expected to witness growth in the coming years on account of the increasing online delivery services by restaurants, such as QSR (quick service restaurants), retail outlets, and coffee shops.
• The rise of online delivery platforms and mobile applications supports the growth of throwaway products, especially containers and dinnerware. An increasing number of diners in the Gulf region are tapping into smartphone applications to order meal deliveries, a trend that is anticipated to accelerate as technology redefines the food sector and attracts investment.
• The online food delivery services market has been increasingly witnessing a rise in investments in the country. Several start-ups are launching their operations in the United Arab Emirates with newly acquired investments. For instance, in December 2021, UAE-based GrubTech, a platform for restaurants and cloud kitchens, raised a USD 13 million Series A investment. The company planned to use these funds to develop innovative solutions and extend its reach into new markets.
• Food packaging is becoming a growing global concern owing to a large amount of waste it generates and the chemicals it contains that can be detrimental to health. Plastic packaging includes many plastic types, from Styrofoam to clear plastic "clamshell" packages to the lids on takeout coffee cups. The raw materials used in plastic packaging might be harmful to the health, or harmful chemicals might be added to the plastic to make it more functional. The growing concern regarding this environmental and health hazard poses a challenge to the market.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Arab Emirates' economy witnessed a downturn. It was largely due to the shutdown and reduced operations of several organizations. Several major events, such as Expo 2020 and major activities had to be postponed or canceled, impacting the food services industry in the country. Malls in the country, where most retail outlets are located, were completely shut down for a significant time, which increased the impact on the sector. But the plastic industry recovered from the downturn by seizing the pandemic as an opportunity to try to convince people that single-use plastic is necessary to keep people safe and that reusables are dirty and dangerous. The priority of hygiene to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp increase in the consumption of disposable plastic products, single-use water bottles, cutlery, packaging, and medical supplies.