Middle East

The global wheat market in 2023 has seen a recovery in supply, following tight global supply and skyrocketing wheat prices in 2022 resulting from the onset of the war in Ukraine. Increased wheat exports from Russia, readjustments of supply chains and…

Coffee remains the most popular hot drinks category due to its cultural importance, although the socioeconomic crisis has led many people to consume less coffee, while many others have shifted to black tea, a much cheaper type of hot drink. Across…

In 2023, growth in the number of medical cannabis patients slowed significantly in Israel. In the first half of the year the number of medical patients grew by only 1,500; meanwhile, in 2021 monthly growth averaged 2,400, while in 2022 it was 1,220.…

There is an intriguing dichotomy at play in dairy products and alternatives in Middle East and Africa, with value for money particularly important for many consumers given the current inflationary environment. At the same time, particularly among…

This briefing examines how the high-tech goods industry is performing globally and in the largest countries in terms of high-tech goods output. The report also provides data for production, market size, imports, exports, industry costs, industry…

2023 saw pressure on demand for soft drinks ease as the re-dollarisation of the Lebanese pound, rising remittances and buoyant inbound arrivals, spurred by returning expatriates, pushed volume growth. On-trade growth was especially strong as the…

Income levels in Qatar remain among the highest regionally, with one of the lowest unemployment rates. Nevertheless, economic disparities persist, against the backdrop of the country’s considerable wealth, and there are forecasts indicating an…

Hot drinks in Jordan has been performing well in 2023, attributed to a surge in tourist numbers following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. This uptake in overnight tourists during 2023, totalling, has notably influenced foodservices and on-trade…

The United Arab Emirates has been at the forefront of the travel industry’s recovery, and in 2023, there has been a significant development: the complete resurgence of international travel. This resurgence has led to increasing demand for luggage.…

Preparing and eating more meals at home meant that cooking ingredients and meals saw a spike in demand when the pandemic hit Middle East and Africa in 2020. However, in recent years, including 2023, volume sales have been struggling in the face of…

In 2023, a notable development was noted within jewellery when Snapchat collaborated with Cartier to develop a virtual try-on filter in the United Arab Emirates. Within Snapchat, there exists a built-in shopping platform known as Snapchat Minis. This…

In 2023, growth of personal accessories in the United Arab Emirates remains substantial, although the performance of the industry is uneven; with luxury brands outpacing their mass counterparts. In fact, across all personal accessories categories,…

Oman is managing its state finances well and its absolute monarchy creates stability, but economic freedom remains constrained. Whilst the economy is slowing, high oil prices have been supportive and inflation is low, but reliance on oil is large and…

In 2023, soft drinks in Jordan has been performing well due to a substantial rise in tourist numbers, particularly overnight visitors. This surge has positively influenced foodservices sales, as consumers are increasingly dining out and utilising…

Consumers are increasingly seeking greater control over their personal health, aligning with a new perspective on wellness that emphasises long-term and preventive measures. This shift is fuelling the growth of digital health solutions and hyper…

Writing instruments witnessed minimal fluctuations in demand during the pandemic, unlike bags, watches, and jewellery, which are typically more expensive and require more intricate purchasing decisions. Additionally, the heightened use of diaries and…

In 2023, demand for soft drinks in Qatar was fuelled by the constant stream of high profile events, which drove on- and off-trade sales. However, there was a dip in demand, following strong off-trade increases and the rebound in on-trade sales in…

In 2023, hot drinks recovered fully from the COVID-19 pandemic, which positively impacted the off- and on-trade, with the latter seeing the strongest recovery. Unlike many other countries across the world, Kuwaitis are being less affected by global…

After the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, social gatherings have surged, driving a significant uptake in hot drinks in 2023, notably coffee and tea. In Omani culture, hot drinks, particularly Omani coffee, are integral to hospitality, making it…

The demand for hot drinks contracted in 2023 with the end of the 2022 FIFA World Cup effect and slower tourism growth. However, other high-profile events ensured robust demand, with total volume sales higher in 2023 than in 2021. Premiumisation…