Packaging Industry in the United Arab Emirates

COVID-19 impact on packaging

COVID-19 has contributed to UAE’s economic decline of 4.5% in 2020, following a rise of 1.

COVID-19 country impact

From 23 March, the government urged people to only leave their homes to go to work or in an emergency. On 31 March, Al Ras, one of Dubai's most densely populated areas, was placed under lockdown for two weeks, preventing all residents from leaving or entering the area.

Smaller families and sugar worries propel single-serve portions and mini formats in food packaging in 2019

Families are getting smaller in UAE which has prompted manufacturers to explore a range pack sizes to cater to a wider audience, especially in products such as mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard. 290g packs for single-person households became more visible in 2019.

Players seek to stimulate sales through premiumisation, while some companies consider vertical integration in soft drinks packaging in 2019

PET resin prices dropped to an all-time low in 2019. Sales declined in several soft drinks categories, including carbonates, energy drinks and sports drinks, and PET resin prices were an important cost factor.

Metal gains ground in beer, and small-sized spirits bottles encourage trial purchases in alcoholic drinks packaging in 2019

Beer players increasingly turned to metal beverage cans in beer in 2019. All imported beer brands in Saudi Arabia are presented in metal cans, with 33cl formats of beer sold in a 24-pack being cheaper than the equivalent pack for glass bottles.

Small formats in beauty and personal care packaging benefit from several trends in 2019

2019 saw a rise in smaller packaging in beauty and personal care, with travel-size and mini formats appealing to mobile consumers through their offer of convenient portability. As well as catering to demands for on-the-go use, such small-sized packs allow brands to capture a broader range of consumers, increasing access to premium and high-end products at a lower cost than standard sizes.

Big packets continue to grow in home care packaging in 2019

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