Middle East

With alcoholic drinks prohibited under Islamic law, beer sales in the Saudi Arabian market are totally reliant on non alcoholic beer. The COVID-19 crisis led to a marked decline in non alcoholic beer sales in 2020. The Saudi Arabian Government took a…

With alcoholic drinks prohibited under Islamic law, on- and off-trade sales in Saudi Arabian remained dependent on non alcoholic beer at the end of the review period. While off-trade sales of non alcoholic beer started to rebound in 2021 and 2022,…

Alcoholic drinks in the United Arab Emirates continued to demonstrate healthy growth in 2022 following a notable rebound the previous year. The United Arab Emirates is known for well-established luxury lifestyles enjoyed by much of the population,…

Total volume sales of beer in the United Arab Emirates continued to record double-digit growth in 2022, as consumers resumed socialising after restrictions were further eased. The strong volume growth recorded by beer was additionally fuelled by the…

As cider is historically an alternative to beer in the United Arab Emirates, the FIFA World Cup held in Qatar boosted demand for this alcoholic drink in addition to beer sales in late 2022, despite inflation hitting the local market. Since Budweiser…

Spirit-based RTDs continued to drive category sales in the United Arab Emirates at the end of the review period. These mainly consist of rum-based drinks with 4% ABV mixed with fruit flavours, such as strawberry, orange, pineapple, grapefruit,…

A greater focus on sustainability in the United Arab Emirates has reached alcoholic drinks. Consumer demand for sustainable spirits in particular, has been met by a new launch of award-winning and sustainable tequila brand Mijenta. Mijenta’s…

The global economic situation in 2022 saw many investors flock to the United Arab Emirates, so that they could protect their businesses from volatile markets and rising inflation. Dubai’s investors now have better access to fine wine trading. For…

RTDs maintained total volume growth in 2022, with sales recovering to the pre-pandemic level in this year. Sales are projected to increase further as life in Hong Kong gradually returns to normal. On-trade volume sales increased in 2022, with outlets…

Iraq’s alcoholic drinks industry remains underdeveloped and in a rather chaotic state due to a complex matrix of supply-side challenges including rampant smuggling, widespread corruption, infrastructure issues and the routine counterfeiting of…