Middle East: Baby Food Market 2024

Baby Food Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern baby food market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Baby Food Production in the Middle East

In value terms, baby food production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a slight decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 17%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Baby Food Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2021, the amount of food preparations for infants exported in the Middle East was estimated at X tons, growing by 7.7% against the year before. Total exports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +8.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -18.0% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 36% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, baby food exports soared to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +9.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -2.0% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 38% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) was the major exporter of food preparations for infants, creating 55% of total exports. Saudi Arabia (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Iran (X tons) and Turkey (X tons). All these countries together took near 44% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to baby food exports from the United Arab Emirates stood at +14.1%. At the same time, Saudi Arabia (+36.7%) and Turkey (+3.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Saudi Arabia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +36.7% from 2012-2021. Iran experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of the United Arab Emirates (+20 p.p.) and Saudi Arabia (+16 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Turkey (-5.5 p.p.) and Iran (-15.6 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest baby food supplier in the Middle East, comprising 64% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Iran, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates totaled +15.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Saudi Arabia (+40.9% per year) and Iran (-0.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 17% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the export price increased by 29% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Turkey ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+3.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Baby Food Imports

Imports in the Middle East

For the fourth year in a row, the Middle East recorded growth in supplies from abroad of food preparations for infants, which increased by 13% to X tons in 2021. Total imports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +40.3% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, baby food imports rose significantly to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 15%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the three major importers of food preparations for infants, namely Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iraq, represented more than half of total import. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), comprising a 7.2% share of total imports. The following importers - Yemen (X tons), Israel (X tons), Jordan (X tons), Lebanon (X tons), Kuwait (X tons), Iran (X tons) and Oman (X tons) - together made up 24% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Iraq (with a CAGR of +29.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported food preparations for infants in the Middle East, comprising 40% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Turkey ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Iraq, with a 14% share.

In Saudi Arabia, baby food imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Turkey (+10.3% per year) and Iraq (+29.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, declining by -6.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the import price increased by 2.9% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Saudi Arabia ($X per ton), while Iraq ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Israel (+0.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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