Report Overview

An increasing emphasis on extending the shelf life of food products, growing working population, a surging demand for packaged goods, and expanding retail infrastructure are projected to propel the expansion of Saudi Arabia Packaged Food Market at a steady growth rate during forecast period 2022 and 2028.

Saudi Arabia Packaged Food Market - Industry Trends & Forecast Report, 2028

Saudi Arabia Packaged Food Market size is expected to expand at a steady CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period between 2022 and 2028. Major growth factors for Saudi Arabia packaged food market include increasing adoption of technology advancements, such as using alternative packaging materials, to enhance shelf life and increase product appealing factor. High adoption of sustainable packaged food materials, such as plant-based plastics, bamboo, and vegetable starch, is predicted to expand the market. An increase in demand for interactive packaging, which allows the product to be consumed without having to remove the package completely, is also predicted to help the market thrive. Concurrently, the market is seeing an increase in demand for dairy products and confectionary. The unique packaging material, which consists of an aluminum layer with a specific treatment or packaged material stamped with black ink protects food items, such as milk and bread, from UV radiation. Saudi Arabia packaged food market is also expected to be fueled by the increasing trend of active packaging, which absorbs moisture and generates gas to extend food shelf-life. Hence, all these factors are expected to fuel the growth of Saudi Arabia packaged food market.

Saudi Arabia Packaged Food Market – Overview

Packaged foods prepared in advance and packed to extend shelf life. Most of packaged food products are mass-produced and supplied for consumption. The concept of packaged food increased. They are becoming increasingly popular in both developed and developing countries due to their convenience for city dweller and working-class population. Packaged food is a product that customers commonly purchase. As a result, customer demand for such goods remains consistent. The millennials' preference for healthy packaged food substitutes has created numerous opportunities for companies in the packaged food products market. Consumers want healthy food products that are high in nutritional content, low in cholesterol, have fewer preservatives, and are low in fat. As a result of the growing demand for healthy food, numerous beverage firms have begun producing organic and non-alcoholic juices to serve health-conscious clients. This growing trend is expected to drive the market expansion during the forecast period.

Saudi Arabia Packaged Food Market

Growth Drivers

Surging demand for ready-to-eat healthy food alternative

During the forecast period, Saudi Arabia packaged food market is expected to expand due to number of working individuals and their tight time schedules. Working classes, due to a lack of time, choose food products that can be prepared quickly and with few components. This trend has expanded the market for ready-to-eat food products, such as frozen food, bakery items, snacks, chocolates, and other food items. Furthermore, growing urbanization coupled with increasing packaged food consumption are expected to further boost the growth of the packaged food products market in the kingdom. Aside from that, customer inclination for healthier food and beverage options will also drive the expansion of Saudi Arabia packaged food market.

Restraints

Preservatives causing side effects on human body

Packaged foods have a high concentration of preservatives to extend the shelf life of the product. Preservatives have serious adverse effects on the human body, such as inducing chronic heart and brain disorders, promoting cancer cell proliferation, and so on. Consumers are becoming more aware of the detrimental effects of preservatives, which is anticipated to hamper the growth of Saudi Arabia packaged food market in the coming years.

Impact of COVID–19 on Saudi Arabia Packaged Food Market

COVID-19 pandemic had a detrimental impact on most of the sectors, but the packaged food market witnessed an unanticipated surge due to increased consumption of snacks and beverages, chips, chocolates, and frozen food products during lockdown, as well as work-from-home (WFH) option. Consumers’ shopping habits altered because of the lockdowns, and they began purchasing processed food products in bulk to stock up on kitchen necessities. Hence, enterprises and manufacturing units were incentivized to hasten their production lines and sustain the packaged food supply and demand chain. Furthermore, COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected people’s health which resulted in surging demand of ready-to eat product and less time-consuming nutritious food product options for better immunity. As a result, customers' preferences are shifting toward snacking healthier food products. This trend has prompted leading manufacturers of food products to develop healthy food products that are low in calories and fats but abundant in minerals and vitamins. Therefore, all these factors are expected to boost the expansion of Saudi Arabia packaged food market during the period in analysis.

Saudi Arabia Packaged Food Market

Segmental Coverage

Saudi Arabia Packaged Food Market – Product Type

Based on product type, Saudi Arabia packaged food market is segmented into Ready Meals, Baked Food, Breakfast Cereals, Soups, Baby Food, Potato Chips, Nuts, Instant Noodles, Pasta, Biscuits and Cookies, Confectionary Chocolates, Cheese, Yogurt, Milk, Ice Creams, Sauces, Dressings & Condiments, and Non-alcoholic Drinks. Among these segments, the breakfast cereals segment is expected to hold the highest share in the market, because of the surging consumer demand for nutritious and convenient breakfast alternatives. In addition, the increased focus on breakfast meals among consumers and burgeoning demand for high nutritional food products, particularly among working women, are creating potential for the breakfast cereal market to grow in the coming years.

Saudi Arabia Packaged Food Market - By Sales Channel

Based on sales channel, Saudi Arabia packaged food market is segregated into Supermarkets/ Hypermarkets, Specialty Stores, Departmental Stores, and Online segments. The online segment dominated the market because of growing internet and smartphone penetration and changing lifestyles. The supermarkets and hypermarkets segment is the market’s second most dominant sales channel segment.

Competitive Landscape

Saudi Arabia packaged food market is highly competitive. Major companies in the market include Al Safi Danone, Almarai, Al Kabeer Group, Nestle, National Food Industries Company, Saudia Dairy and Foodstuff Company, Kraft Foods Group, Americana Group, Savola Group Company, Arla Foods, Wafrah for Industry and Development Company, and Fesh Fash Snack Food Production Company. To further enhance their market share, these large market players are primarily focused on the development of innovative and efficient products, new product releases, mergers and acquisitions, collaborations, partnerships, and joint ventures.

Recent Developments

• In January 2020 - Nestle introduced a new Starbucks product line that included Cold Brew Concentrate, Fresh Brew Coffee, Starbucks Coffee with Vital Vitamins, such as Starbucks Coffee with Golden Turmeric, and Starbucks Coffee with 2X the Caffeine.

• In 2019 - Alamarai completed the acquisition of Riyadh-based premier food products from Alamar foods. The corporation intended to grow its food service channel in Saudi Arabia through this transaction.

Scope of the Report

By Product Type

• Ready Meals

• Baked Food

• Breakfast Cereals

• Soups

• Baby Food

• Potato Chips

• Nuts

• Instant Noodles 

• Pasta

• Biscuits and Cookies

• Confectionary Chocolates

• Cheese

• Yogurt

• Milk

• Ice Creams

• Sauces, Dressings & Condiments

• Non-alcoholic Drinks

• Others

By Sales channel

• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets

• Specialty Stores

• Convenience Stores

• Departmental Stores

• Online