Fueled by everything from a post-FIFA World Cup appetite in Qatar to Saudi Arabia's billion-dollar investments in vertical farms, the GCC food industry is a dynamic and booming market where staggering growth figures, ambitious sustainability projects, and evolving consumer tastes are rewriting the entire regional menu.
Key Takeaways
- The GCC food market reached a value of USD 120.5 billion in 2023, with a projected CAGR of 6.2% from 2024 to 2030 driven by population growth and urbanization.
- Saudi Arabia's food processing sector contributed 1.2% to GDP in 2022, employing over 250,000 workers across 5,000 facilities.
- UAE food and beverage industry grew by 7.5% YoY in 2023, reaching AED 150 billion in revenue amid tourism recovery.
- Saudi Arabia produced 1.8 million tons of dates in 2022, accounting for 17% of global production.
- UAE greenhouse farming output reached 450,000 tons of vegetables in 2023, up 15% from prior year via hydroponics.
- Qatar's local poultry production hit 85,000 tons in 2023, reducing import dependency by 12%.
- Per capita food consumption in GCC averaged 450 kg annually in 2022, highest in Qatar at 520 kg.
- Saudi Arabia consumed 2.1 million tons of poultry meat in 2023, up 6% YoY.
- UAE retail food sales hit AED 120 billion in 2023, with supermarkets holding 55% share.
- GCC imported 85% of food needs worth USD 35 billion in 2023, mainly from EU and India.
- Saudi Arabia imported USD 15.2 billion in food products in 2023, top category dairy at 20%.
- UAE food exports reached USD 8.1 billion in 2023, re-exports 60% of volume.
- GCC FDI in food sector reached USD 4.2 billion in 2023, 30% from UAE projects.
- Saudi Public Investment Fund allocated SAR 10 billion to food security initiatives in 2023.
- UAE invested AED 5 billion in agritech startups by 2023, focusing on vertical farming.
The GCC food market is experiencing rapid growth driven by investment and changing consumer habits.
Consumption and Retail
- Per capita food consumption in GCC averaged 450 kg annually in 2022, highest in Qatar at 520 kg.
- Saudi Arabia consumed 2.1 million tons of poultry meat in 2023, up 6% YoY.
- UAE retail food sales hit AED 120 billion in 2023, with supermarkets holding 55% share.
- Qatar sugar consumption reached 180,000 tons in 2022, per capita 65 kg.
- Kuwaiti households spent 25% of income on food in 2023, focusing on imported organics.
- Oman edible oil consumption was 250,000 tons in 2023, 70% palm oil imports.
- Bahrain fresh fruit intake averaged 120 kg per capita in 2022.
- GCC soft drinks market consumed 8.5 billion liters in 2023, led by UAE's 2.5 billion.
- Saudi ready-to-eat meals demand surged 18% to 500,000 tons in 2023.
- UAE health food consumption grew to 15% of total F&B spend in 2023.
- Saudi per capita rice consumption was 45 kg in 2023.
- UAE coffee consumption averaged 3.5 kg per capita in 2023.
- Qatar confectionery intake reached 25 kg per person in 2023.
- Kuwait dairy products consumption totaled 180 liters per capita in 2023.
- Oman bread and bakery products demand was 150,000 tons in 2023.
- Bahrain soft drinks consumption hit 150 liters per capita in 2023.
- GCC processed meat consumption grew 8% to 1.8 million tons in 2023.
- Saudi plant-based alternatives demand surged 22% in 2023.
- UAE out-of-home foodservice revenue was AED 40 billion in 2023.
- Saudi wheat flour consumption was 4.5 million tons in 2023.
Consumption and Retail Interpretation
The GCC food scene reveals a region of prosperous appetites, where soaring consumption of everything from poultry to pastries is tempered only by a growing, yet still modest, interest in health-conscious choices.
Imports and Exports
- GCC imported 85% of food needs worth USD 35 billion in 2023, mainly from EU and India.
- Saudi Arabia imported USD 15.2 billion in food products in 2023, top category dairy at 20%.
- UAE food exports reached USD 8.1 billion in 2023, re-exports 60% of volume.
- Qatar imported 1.2 million tons of rice in 2023, primarily from India and Pakistan.
- Kuwait poultry imports totaled 250,000 tons in 2022, from Brazil and USA.
- Oman exported 50,000 tons of fish products in 2023 to Asia and Europe.
- Bahrain imported 90% of vegetables, 400,000 tons valued at USD 500 million in 2023.
- GCC fruit imports hit 4.5 million tons in 2023, apples and bananas leading.
- Saudi dates exports earned USD 300 million in 2023 to 80 countries.
- UAE mineral water exports grew 25% to 1 million tons in 2023.
- Qatar meat imports declined 5% to 150,000 tons in 2023 due to local production.
- GCC vegetable oil imports totaled 2.8 million tons valued at USD 2.5 billion in 2023.
- UAE re-exported USD 5.2 billion in food commodities in 2023.
- Qatar grains imports reached 1.5 million tons in 2023.
- Kuwait sugar imports were 250,000 tons from Brazil in 2023.
- Oman seafood exports earned USD 400 million in 2023.
- Bahrain grain imports totaled 600,000 tons in 2023.
- Saudi poultry imports dropped to 800,000 tons in 2023.
- UAE fruit imports from South Africa hit 500,000 tons in 2023.
- Qatar dairy imports valued USD 1.2 billion in 2023.
Imports and Exports Interpretation
The GCC's dining table is a globe-trotting affair, importing a staggering $35 billion worth of food mainly from others while proudly re-exporting regional specialties like dates, fish, and even water, proving the peninsula is both a discerning customer and an ambitious merchant in the global food bazaar.
Investments and Sustainability
- GCC FDI in food sector reached USD 4.2 billion in 2023, 30% from UAE projects.
- Saudi Public Investment Fund allocated SAR 10 billion to food security initiatives in 2023.
- UAE invested AED 5 billion in agritech startups by 2023, focusing on vertical farming.
- Qatar National Vision 2030 funded USD 2.5 billion for sustainable agriculture projects.
- Kuwait sovereign wealth fund invested USD 1.8 billion in global food supply chains in 2023.
- Oman TANFEEDH program boosted USD 500 million in food localization investments by 2023.
- Bahrain Economic Development Board attracted USD 300 million FDI in F&B in 2023.
- GCC food waste reduction initiatives saved 1.2 million tons annually by 2023 via tech.
- Saudi Almarai expanded dairy capacity by 20% with USD 1 billion investment in 2023.
- UAE Badia Farms raised USD 100 million for desert agriculture tech in 2023.
- Saudi Aramco Ventures invested USD 200 million in food tech in 2023.
- UAE Masdar City agrivoltaics project funded USD 150 million for sustainable farming.
- Qatar Investment Authority committed USD 1 billion to agribusiness by 2023.
- Kuwait Future Generation Fund allocated 10% to food security investments.
- Oman In-Country Value program invested OMR 300 million in local food production.
- Bahrain Tamkeen supported 500 F&B SMEs with BHD 50 million in 2023.
- GCC sustainable packaging adoption in food industry reached 40% by 2023.
- Saudi National Food Industry Platform launched with SAR 5 billion funding.
- UAE Food Tech Valley invested AED 3 billion in innovation hubs by 2023.
Investments and Sustainability Interpretation
The GCC is throwing oil money at its dinner plate, transforming from petro-states into agri-tech powerhouses in a bid to outgrow its own desert.
Market Size and Growth
- The GCC food market reached a value of USD 120.5 billion in 2023, with a projected CAGR of 6.2% from 2024 to 2030 driven by population growth and urbanization.
- Saudi Arabia's food processing sector contributed 1.2% to GDP in 2022, employing over 250,000 workers across 5,000 facilities.
- UAE food and beverage industry grew by 7.5% YoY in 2023, reaching AED 150 billion in revenue amid tourism recovery.
- Qatar's packaged food market expanded to USD 4.2 billion in 2023, fueled by expatriate demand and events like FIFA World Cup legacy.
- Kuwait food sector market size hit USD 12.8 billion in 2022, with health foods segment growing at 8.1% CAGR.
- Oman food industry valued at OMR 2.1 billion in 2023, supported by Vision 2040 diversification efforts.
- Bahrain's F&B market reached BHD 1.5 billion in 2023, with 12% growth from e-commerce integration.
- GCC halal food market projected to grow from USD 45 billion in 2023 to USD 72 billion by 2028 at 10% CAGR.
- Overall GCC dairy market size was USD 15.3 billion in 2023, expected to reach USD 22.1 billion by 2030.
- GCC meat and poultry sector valued at USD 18.7 billion in 2022, with 5.4% annual growth rate.
- The GCC food market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2023-2028, reaching USD 180 billion by 2028.
- Saudi Arabia's non-alcoholic beverages market size was USD 6.4 billion in 2023.
- UAE confectionery market valued at USD 1.2 billion in 2023 with 4.5% growth.
- Qatar bakery products market reached USD 850 million in 2023.
- Kuwait sauces and condiments sector grew to USD 450 million in 2023.
- Oman infant formula market size hit USD 120 million in 2023.
- Bahrain organic food market expanded 15% to USD 200 million in 2023.
- GCC pet food market valued at USD 1.5 billion in 2023, CAGR 7.2%.
- Saudi frozen food market size was USD 3.2 billion in 2023.
- UAE snack food sector reached AED 8 billion in 2023.
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
Driven by everything from Vision 2040 diversification and FIFA World Cup tailwinds to a booming halal sector and a collective sweet tooth, the GCC's food industry, already a USD 120.5 billion behemoth, is hungrily eyeing a USD 180 billion feast by 2028, with each nation from Saudi Arabia's massive processing sector to Bahrain's e-commerce-savvy F&B scene bringing its own distinct flavor to the table.
Production and Agriculture
- Saudi Arabia produced 1.8 million tons of dates in 2022, accounting for 17% of global production.
- UAE greenhouse farming output reached 450,000 tons of vegetables in 2023, up 15% from prior year via hydroponics.
- Qatar's local poultry production hit 85,000 tons in 2023, reducing import dependency by 12%.
- Kuwait desalinated water for agriculture supported 120,000 tons of fodder production in 2022.
- Oman harvested 350,000 tons of tomatoes and cucumbers in 2023 through protected farming.
- Bahrain fish production totaled 25,000 tons in 2022, with aquaculture contributing 40%.
- GCC region produced 2.5 million tons of fresh milk in 2023, led by Saudi Arabia's 1.7 million tons.
- Saudi wheat self-sufficiency reached 30% in 2023 with 1.2 million tons harvested.
- UAE aquaponics systems yielded 10,000 tons of fish and veggies combined in 2023.
- Qatar vertical farms produced 5,000 tons of leafy greens in 2023, saving 90% water.
- Saudi Arabia cultivated 750,000 tons of vegetables in controlled environments in 2023.
- UAE produced 200,000 tons of aquaculture fish in 2023.
- Qatar dairy production increased to 120,000 tons in 2023.
- Kuwait local egg production reached 4 billion units in 2023.
- Oman citrus fruits output was 80,000 tons in 2023.
- Bahrain date palm production totaled 30,000 tons in 2023.
- GCC honey production from apiaries hit 12,000 tons in 2023.
- Saudi barley production for feed reached 500,000 tons in 2023.
- UAE hydroponic berry production yielded 2,500 tons in 2023.
- Qatar forage crops output increased to 300,000 tons in 2023.
Production and Agriculture Interpretation
While the GCC’s arid climate might suggest a menu limited to sand and sunshine, these nations are proving they can have their cake and eat it too, producing a staggering bounty of dates, veggies, fish, and milk through sheer technological ingenuity.
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