Middle East

The growing popularity of plant-based diets is increasing the demand for alternative sources of protein to meat. Pulses are considered an excellent protein alternative. As an increasing number of local consumers are adopting vegetarian and vegan…

The United Arab Emirates has a very diverse population, whereby potatoes are an important ingredient used in numerous dishes. Potatoes are the most consumed form of starchy roots in both retail and foodservice. Supported by a growing population in…

Although there are many initiatives to reduce sugar consumption, demand for sugar and sweeteners continues to grow in the United Arab Emirates. Sweets and desserts are culturally important in the United Arab Emirates, as they are often associated…

The level of awareness among local consumers regarding the importance of adopting healthy diets and lifestyles is growing in the United Arab Emirates. Therefore, many local consumers are gaining a greater interest in incorporating fresh vegetables…

The briefing examines how the steel commodity is performing globally and in the largest countries in terms of supply and production. The report also provides data and analysis on steel price dynamics, as well as trends across key commodity consuming…

Banks in the United Arab Emirates continue to offer attractive card lending offers in 2023. With many credit cards now having appealing credit limits depending on the salary range and credit score of consumers, many banks are offering to convert…

Despite rising inflation, increasing mortgage rates and interest rates, consumer lending in the United Arab Emirates remains buoyant in 2023. The local economy’s recovery and expansion are influencing the momentum of consumer lending, but…

Population growth and lower inflation supported rising demand across meals and soups in 2023. In the key category of edible oils, the availability of sunflower oil via the PDS put pressure on demand, while table sauces benefited from the broadening…

The briefing examines how the pulp commodity performs globally and in the largest countries in terms of supply and production. The report also provides data and analysis on pulp price dynamics, as well as trends across key commodity-consuming…

At the end of 2021, a new law went into effect requiring a deposit of ILS0.3 for all bottles of 1.5 litres and above. This had a direct impact on prices of water in 2022, as 1.5 litres is a very popular size for water bottles. After the tax on…

The tax on all sweetened beverages was removed at the end of March 2023, as a result of opposition from the ultra-Orthodox community. The Ministry of Health required retailers to lower prices within three days of the tax being removed, with the…

Aligned with historical patterns, there is expected to be an ongoing decrease in the number of charge cards in circulation in the United Arab Emirates in 2023, even though transaction value is set to show growth across both the commercial and…

In 2023, prices have continued to rise in the packaged food and beverages market, and this has impacted coffee as well. This has largely been due to the high rate of inflation, with rising costs of transportation, energy and raw materials, and…

The tax on all sweetened beverages was removed at the end of March 2023, with the Ministry of Health requiring retailers to lower prices within three days of the tax being removed. The removal of the tax led to the lowering of prices in the…

The credit cards category in the United Arab Emirates is set to experience strong growth by all measures in 2023, fuelled by a combination of favourable economic conditions, evolving consumer preferences, and the adoption of new technologies. The…

Contactless payments are becoming increasingly popular in the United Arab Emirates, driven by the convenience and safety they offer. Banks are accelerating the adoption of contactless payment technology, embedding NFC (Near Field Communication) chips…

Prime energy drink entered the Israeli market in 2023. Due to its popularity on TikTok, the drink has been very popular from the start. The strong role of social media in the brand’s expansion – and, indeed, its development, in which the YouTube…

The United Arab Emirates continues its journey towards a cashless society, with the continued adoption of digital payment solutions, contactless cards, and the emergence of supplementary payment platforms or solutions in pre-paid cards that support…

2023 saw positive growth in all categories of hot drinks due to population growth and an easing of inflation. However, all industry players continue to face major structural issues, with coffee and other hot drinks importers in particular facing…

The cost of living has continued to rise in 2023. Israel's rate of inflation reached 5.3% in January 2023, the highest since 2008. Housing prices rose 20.3% in 2022. Electricity prices rose by 8.6% in August 2022 and, as the price of coal continued…