Regional food consumption in the MENA region averaged 1,200 kilograms per capita annually. In the same period, the Saudi market alone consumed 2.8 million tons of sugar. This article presents the latest data on consumption, production, and trade across the sector.
Key Takeaways
- MENA per capita food consumption averaged 1,200 kg/year in 2022, highest in UAE at 1,450 kg
- MENA plant-based food market to grow 18% CAGR to 2030, driven by vegan trends
- In 2023, the MENA food and beverage market reached a value of USD 285.6 billion, projected to grow to USD 412.3 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 5.4%
- In 2022, MENA wheat production totaled 28.5 million metric tons, led by Turkey at 20 million MT
- MENA food exports reached USD 45 billion in 2023, Turkey leading with USD 25 billion
MENA’s food industry continues steady growth, highlighting rising demand and opportunities for producers across the region.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumption Patterns18 stats
01
MENA per capita food consumption averaged 1,200 kg/year in 2022, highest in UAE at 1,450 kg
02
Saudi Arabia sugar consumption reached 2.8 million tons in 2023, 85 kg per capita
03
Egypt vegetable oil intake was 15 kg per capita in 2022, driven by sunflower imports
04
UAE ready-to-eat food consumption grew 15% YoY to USD 2.5 billion in 2023
05
Morocco wheat consumption hit 7 million tons in 2023, 180 kg per capita annually
06
Turkey meat consumption per capita was 92 kg in 2023, poultry leading at 25 kg
07
Iran's rice consumption totaled 3.2 million tons in 2023, 35 kg per capita
08
Jordan dairy consumption reached 250 liters per capita in 2022, milk at 180L
09
Algeria soft drinks market consumed 4.5 billion liters in 2023, 100L per capita
10
MENA organic food consumption grew 12% to USD 5.2 billion in 2023, UAE 40% share
11
MENA bottled water consumption 45 billion liters 2023, per capita 90L
12
Turkey bread consumption 4 kg per capita weekly 2023, highest regionally
13
Iran tea intake 1.5 kg per capita yearly 2023, black tea dominant
14
UAE seafood consumption 28 kg per capita 2023, imports 90%
15
Morocco fish intake 15 kg per capita 2023, sardines main
16
Saudi fast food spend USD 10 billion 2023, KFC leader
17
Jordan snack foods consumption up 12% to USD 800 million 2023
18
Algeria bread subsidy consumption 8 million tons flour equivalent 2023
Interpretation
Consumption Patterns Interpretation
In 2022 and 2023, consumption patterns across the MENA region show rising dietary diversity and shifting staples, from per capita food averaging 1,200 kg/year and peaking at 1,450 kg in the UAE to soaring sugar use in Saudi Arabia at 85 kg per person and meat in Turkey reaching 92 kg per capita in 2023.
02 · Category
Industry Trends & Challenges17 stats
01
MENA plant-based food market to grow 18% CAGR to 2030, driven by vegan trends
02
65% of MENA consumers prefer sustainable packaging in food by 2023 survey
03
Food waste in MENA averages 30% of production, 120 kg per capita annually
04
E-commerce food sales in MENA surged 45% to USD 8 billion in 2023
05
72% MENA food firms adopting AI for supply chain by 2024, per Deloitte
06
Halal certification boosted MENA exports by 22% in 2023
07
Climate change reduced MENA crop yields by 15% in 2023 season
08
Functional foods market in MENA grew 11% to USD 4.5 billion in 2023
09
Labor shortages hit 40% of MENA food processors in 2023, per IFIS
10
MENA ready-to-drink beverages trend up 25% consumer interest 2023
11
55% MENA millennials seek plant-based alternatives 2023 survey
12
Water scarcity impacts 70% MENA food production 2023
13
Online grocery penetration 18% in MENA urban areas 2023
14
Blockchain adoption in MENA food traceability 35% firms 2023
15
Inflation hit MENA food prices 20% average 2023
16
Precision agriculture tech in MENA up 40% investment 2023
17
Female workforce in MENA food industry 28% 2023, rising from 20% 2018
Interpretation
Industry Trends & Challenges Interpretation
MENA’s food industry is being reshaped by clear trends and challenges at once, from a projected 18% CAGR for plant-based foods to the 30% average production waste and the rapid rise in e-commerce food sales surging 45% to USD 8 billion in 2023.
03 · Category
Market Size & Growth18 stats
01
In 2023, the MENA food and beverage market reached a value of USD 285.6 billion, projected to grow to USD 412.3 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 5.4%
02
The UAE food market was valued at USD 18.5 billion in 2022, expected to expand at 6.8% CAGR through 2028 due to tourism recovery
03
Saudi Arabia's packaged food sector hit SAR 120 billion in 2023, with 7.2% annual growth driven by urbanization
04
Egypt's food processing industry grew by 12% YoY in 2022, reaching EGP 450 billion amid population growth
05
MENA halal food market size was USD 210 billion in 2022, forecasted to reach USD 325 billion by 2028 at 7.5% CAGR
06
Turkey's food industry contributed 8.5% to GDP in 2023, valued at TRY 1.2 trillion with 4.9% growth
07
Morocco's agri-food sector expanded to MAD 250 billion in 2023, up 5.1% from prior year on export gains
08
Jordan food market projected to grow from USD 4.2 billion in 2023 to USD 6.1 billion by 2030 at 5.5% CAGR
09
Iran's dairy market reached IRR 150 trillion in 2023, with 6.3% growth fueled by domestic demand
10
Algeria's food import market valued at USD 12 billion in 2023, growing at 4.2% annually
11
In 2023, MENA ready meals market valued at USD 15.2 billion, CAGR 8.1% to 2029
12
Qatar food sector reached QAR 45 billion in 2023, boosted by events
13
Lebanon's dairy market at USD 1.2 billion in 2022, 5% growth despite crisis
14
Oman packaged food sales hit OMR 2.8 billion in 2023, 6.5% up
15
Kuwait bakery products market USD 1.5 billion 2023, CAGR 4.8%
16
Bahrain confectionery industry USD 450 million in 2023, growth 7%
17
Yemen food aid market indirect value USD 3 billion annually 2023
18
Palestine food processing grew 9% to USD 2.1 billion 2023
Interpretation
Market Size & Growth Interpretation
The MENA food and beverage market is set to expand from USD 285.6 billion in 2023 to USD 412.3 billion by 2030 at strong CAGR momentum, reflecting robust size growth across key markets like Saudi Arabia’s SAR 120 billion packaged food sector in 2023 and the USD 210 billion halal food segment in 2022.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production Statistics18 stats
01
In 2022, MENA wheat production totaled 28.5 million metric tons, led by Turkey at 20 million MT
02
Saudi Arabia produced 1.8 million tons of dates in 2023, accounting for 17% of global supply
03
Egypt's poultry production reached 1.6 billion birds in 2023, up 8% YoY due to feed efficiency
04
UAE milk production hit 1.2 billion liters in 2022, with local farms contributing 45%
05
Morocco olive oil output was 210,000 tons in 2023, second highest globally after Spain
06
Turkey tomato production stood at 31.5 million tons in 2023, 12% of world total
07
Iran's pistachio yield reached 250,000 tons in 2023, dominating 50% global market
08
Jordan potato production was 450,000 tons in 2022, up 10% from irrigation improvements
09
Algeria citrus output totaled 2.8 million tons in 2023, primarily oranges at 2.1 MT
10
Tunisia's tomato paste production capacity hit 500,000 tons annually in 2023
11
Iraq poultry production 1.2 billion birds 2023, recovery post-ISIS
12
Syria wheat output 4 million tons 2023, down 20% from war effects
13
Libya dates production 350,000 tons 2023, 80% Al-Jufrah region
14
Sudan sorghum yield 2.1 million tons 2023, despite conflict
15
Yemen coffee production 15,000 tons 2023, Mocha variety key
16
UAE hydroponic veg production 500,000 tons annually 2023
17
Saudi greenhouse tomatoes 800,000 tons 2023, tech-driven
18
Egypt sugar beet output 14 million tons 2023, self-sufficiency push
Interpretation
Production Statistics Interpretation
Production statistics in the region show clear scale and growth, with Turkey leading wheat at 20 million metric tons in 2022 and Egypt’s poultry rising to 1.6 billion birds in 2023, up 8% year over year, underscoring how major producers are expanding output across key staples.
05 · Category
Trade (exports/imports)18 stats
01
MENA food exports reached USD 45 billion in 2023, Turkey leading with USD 25 billion
02
Saudi Arabia imported USD 18.7 billion in food products in 2023, 40% from EU
03
Egypt fruit exports totaled USD 2.5 billion in 2023, citrus 60% of volume
04
UAE re-exported USD 12 billion in food in 2022, logistics hub role key
05
Morocco exported 1.4 million tons of tomatoes to EU in 2023, USD 1.2 billion value
06
Turkey nuts exports hit USD 3.8 billion in 2023, hazelnuts primary
07
Iran saffron exports reached 300 tons in 2023, USD 250 million revenue
08
Jordan dates exports were 50,000 tons in 2023, to India and Asia
09
Algeria imported 8 million tons of wheat in 2023, USD 2.8 billion cost
10
Tunisia olive oil exports totaled 280,000 tons in 2023, 25% to US
11
MENA food exports to EU USD 12 billion 2023, fruits/veg 50%
12
Turkey to MENA meat exports USD 1.5 billion 2023, poultry 70%
13
Egypt to Gulf rice exports 1 million tons 2023, USD 600 million
14
UAE food imports USD 25 billion 2023, 60% from Asia
15
Morocco to US phosphate-based fertilizers for food USD 500 million indirect 2023
16
Iran to Iraq dairy exports USD 400 million 2023, milk powder key
17
Saudi petrochemicals for food packaging exports USD 2 billion MENA 2023
18
Tunisia canned tuna exports 30,000 tons 2023, Italy main buyer
Interpretation
Trade (exports/imports) Interpretation
In 2023 MENA food trade was strongly concentrated, with exports reaching USD 45 billion and Turkey accounting for USD 25 billion, while major importers like Saudi Arabia brought in USD 18.7 billion of food products with 40% sourced from the EU.
report visual · Comparison
MENA food & nutrition: fast growth in consumer and market trends
Multiple indicators show rapid momentum across MENA food demand and market expansion, led by growth in ready-to-eat/functional foods and shifting consumer preferences.
65% of MENA consumers prefer sustainable packaging in food by 2023 survey65%
55% MENA millennials seek plant-based alternatives 2023 survey55%
Online grocery penetration 18% in MENA urban areas 202318%
UAE ready-to-eat food consumption grew 15% YoY to USD 2.5 billion in 202315%
MENA organic food consumption grew 12% to USD 5.2 billion in 2023, UAE 40% share12%
In 2023, MENA ready meals market valued at USD 15.2 billion, CAGR 8.1% to 20298.1%
Reference
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APA
Aisha Okonkwo. (2026, February 13). Mena Food Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/mena-food-industry-statistics
MLA
Aisha Okonkwo. "Mena Food Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/mena-food-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Aisha Okonkwo. 2026. "Mena Food Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/mena-food-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
64 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level