Report Overview

Increasing disposable income and growing population and urbanization are expected to boost the growth of Saudi Arabia Biscuit Market during the forecast period between 2023 and 2029.

Saudi Arabia Biscuit Market - Industry Trends & Forecast Report, 2029

Saudi Arabia biscuit market size was estimated to be worth USD 37.01 billion in 2022. During the forecast period between 2023 and 2029, the Saudi Arabia biscuit market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.30%, reaching a value of USD 56.5 billion by 2029. Major growth factors for the Saudi Arabia biscuit market include increasing launches of new products with new flavors and packaging to attract consumers, along with rising penetration of online grocery stores. The food companies are focusing on effective marketing and launching ingredients and health-conscious products, which are anticipated to present lucrative growth opportunities to the Saudi Arabia biscuit market.

Saudi Arabia Biscuit Market – Overview

A biscuit is a baked and formed food item made of flour. It can be created with sugar, chocolate, frosting, jam, ginger, or cinnamon and is often sweet. Like crackers, it can also be savory. Crackers, hard sweet biscuits, short dough biscuits, and cookies (including filled cookies) are the four general kinds of biscuits, which are defined by their recipes and biscuit-baking techniques. These products enjoy huge popularity among consumers as they offer quick energy due to their high-calorie content.

Saudi Arabia Biscuit Market

Growth Drivers

Increasing Demand for High-Nutrient Products

The market is witnessing substantial growth in demand for biscuits with high fiber and nutrient contents. As a result, market players are increasingly launching products that are clinically proven, low-calorie, and sugar-free to target the health-conscious demographic. Digestive biscuits, in particular, are gaining immense traction in the Gulf nation due to their high fiber content, which is beneficial for overall health. Furthermore, they use whole wheat flour, which is much healthier than flour that has undergone processing. Additionally, these biscuits have fewer calories than normal cookies.

Restraints

Awareness of Negative Health Implications of High Consumption of Biscuits

According to Wild Grain, a food and beverage company, consumption of biscuits is always good for health as they are high in saturated fat due to the substantial amount of butter required in their production. A typical-sized biscuit contains between 30–50% of the daily recommended amount of saturated fat. Refined flour is typically used to make biscuits. As refined flour quickly releases sugar into the bloodstream and raises insulin levels, it is bad for health. This may eventually lead to insulin resistance and diabetes. These factors may significantly limit Saudi Arabia biscuit market growth.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Saudi Arabia Biscuit Market

The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic boosted the growth of the Saudi Arabia biscuit market. Although the market was negatively affected due to a sudden spike in demand for biscuits and restrictions in the distribution channels, which created a huge demand and supply gap. However, the market players quickly focused on improving the distribution channels and boosting overall production to meet the growing demand for biscuits in the Kingdom. Furthermore, the market was also favored by the increasing health consciousness among consumers which directly influenced the demand for products with high fiber and nutrients.

Saudi Arabia Biscuit Market

Segmental Coverage

Saudi Arabia Biscuit Market – By Type

Based on type, the Saudi Arabia biscuit market is divided into crackers & savory biscuits, plain crackers, flavored crackers, sweet biscuits, plain biscuits, and others (cookies, sandwich biscuits, chocolate-coated biscuits). Sweet biscuits account for the largest market share. A preference for snacks and an increase in the availability of sweet biscuits in retail settings are driving the demand for these products. Sandwich biscuits in particular are becoming more popular as a result of the wide variety of flavors they offer and their attraction to younger consumers.

Saudi Arabia Biscuit Market – By Ingredients

Based on ingredients, the Saudi Arabia biscuit market is segmented into flour, sugar, butter, chocolate, milk, and cream. The flour segment holds the highest share in the Saudi Arabia biscuit market by ingredient. Wheat flour is the most prominent ingredient used in biscuit production. The protein percentage in biscuit flour ranges from 8.5% to 9.5%. Its lower gluten content makes it ideal for making a range of cookies and biscuits. Cookies and biscuits made with this flour will be softer and crumblier, which favors its market growth.

Saudi Arabia Biscuit Market – By Product

Based on product, the Saudi Arabia biscuit market is segmented into rich tea, bourbon, plain biscuits, chocolate-coated biscuits, and filled biscuits. The plain biscuits segment accounts for the largest market share. Plain biscuits are frequently eaten as a snack or dessert rather than a whole meal. They are convenient for snacking because they are affordable and sweet. They are a popular food choice in Saudi Arabia because they are inexpensive, filling, and long-lasting. However, bourbon and chocolate-coated biscuits also cover a significant market share owing to their immense popularity among children.

Saudi Arabia Biscuit Market – By Distribution Channel

Based on the distribution channel, the Saudi Arabia biscuit market is split into online and offline segments. The offline distribution channel dominates the Saudi Arabia biscuit market owing to the consumer’s preference towards brick-and-mortar stores for grocery shopping. The easy accessibility to a wide range of biscuits in local retail stores as well as in supermarkets and hypermarkets plays a crucial factor in the rising growth of the offline distribution channel. However, the online segment is projected to register substantial growth during the forecast period due to the increasing popularity of online grocery stores, such as Talabat.

Competitive Landscape

Major players operating in the Saudi Arabia biscuit market include ITC Limited, Kambly SA, Mondelez International, PepsiCo, The Kraft Heinz Company, Annie's Homegrown, Inc., Parle Products Pvt. Ltd., Patanjali Ayurved, Britannia, and Kellogg Co.

To further enhance their market share, these companies employ various strategies, including mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, license agreements, and new product launches.

Scope of the Report

By Type

• Crackers & Savory Biscuits

• Plain Crackers

• Flavored Crackers

• Sweet Biscuits

• Plain Biscuits

• Others (Cookies, Sandwich Biscuits, Chocolate-Coated Biscuits)

By Ingredients

• Flour

• Sugar

• Butter

• Chocolate

• Milk

• Cream

By Products

• Rich Tea

• Bourbon

• Plain Biscuits

• Chocolate Coated Biscuits

• Filled Biscuits

By Distribution Channel

• Online

• Offline