Spicy foods and Middle East sales emerging as top South Korea food export growth drivers
South Korea’s food export growth is increasingly being driven by spicy ramen, sauces and expanding sales in the Middle East.
The country has been investing a great deal into its food export market over the past few years. In terms of food categories, the ministry has found spicy foods to be a particularly strong driver of sales this year for many of its key export markets.
MAFRA spokesman Seung-ho Choi said that the biggest growth came from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market, i.e. the Middle East, which grew 37.9% year-on-year to US$81mn in value.
Potato power: Americana Foods and Farm Frites to ramp up MENA expansion with new US$100m plant
Americana Foods and Farm Frites have built a new manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia, as part of strategic growth plans in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
This marks the second joint venture between the two companies in the MENA region, following a three-decade partnership in Egypt since 1988.
Located at Sudair Industrial and Business City in Riyadh, the new facility will be constructed on a plot exceeding 100,000 square metres, and is set to be inaugurated in Q1 2026.During the first phase of operations, it is expected to have a total annual production capacity of 70,000MT, making it the largest manufacturer of frozen fries in the region.
How Asia and the Middle East are shaping beverage trends
Beverage brands across Asia and the Middle East are staying competitive by blending cultural familiarity with health-focused creations and tech-driven convenience.
From local supermarket labels to global giants, beverage brands across Asia and the Middle East are incorporating traditional, health-focused ingredients into new creations.
Brands are also blending traditional wisdom with digital tools to boost engagement and drive sales, such as through the inclusion of traditional and herbal ingredients.
The shift reflects a broader consumer trend where trust in heritage-based health remedies meets the demand for modern convenience.
UAE’s Meliha launches packaged laban to meet growing demand for organic dairy products
Sharjah Agriculture and Livestock Production (Ektifa)’s dairy brand Meliha has expanded its line-up to include a laban beverage, in response to rising demand for organic products in the UAE.
Owned by the Sharjah government’s Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Ektifa specialises in agricultural development and sustainable livestock production targeted at achieving food security and improving resource utilisation.
Meliha’s organic dairy products are known for their rich content of A2A2 protein, the same protein found in human milk and therefore more easily digested and absorbed by the body.
The new laban (fermented milk drink) product, available in three sizes (2 litres, 1 litre and 180ml), has been sold at Sharjah Co-operative Society retail outlets since January 22, with wider distribution channels to be progressively introduced.
Mars Wrigley on plans for affordable premiumisation and local flavour focus across AMEA
Confectionery giant Mars Wrigley has highlighted key business strategies including affordable premiumisation, holistic wellness and local flavour focus across the Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) region.
According to Mars Wrigley Global Emerging Markets (GEM) President Gabriel Fernandez, the role of snacking in this region is evolving at a rapid pace alongside consumer lifestyles here.
“Our data shows that some 41% of consumers are eating fewer traditional meals, and 81% are snacking differently [including a] greater focus on holistic wellbeing,” he said.
“This is in line with ageing populations across Asia as well as in the MEA region where , health and wellbeing is becoming as significant as economic stability.
Barakat targets young consumers with RTD mocktails, seeks to boost category growth
Established in 1976, the Barakat Group has actively expanded its portfolio to include fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook products, ice cream and frozen desserts, and fresh packaged juices and beverages.
At Gulfood 2025, held in Dubai from February 17 to 21, the company’s focus was on introducing its range of ready-to-drink (RTD) mocktails, which have been launched for about six months, “in a bigger way”.
The beverages come in four flavours (Green Appletini, Peach Bellini, Raspberry Margarita, Lime Blue Lagoon), and are available in 500ml bottle and 330ml can packaging.
Baladna taps high protein dairy, Algerian collaboration for growth after Malaysia venture falls through
Qatari dairy giant Baladna is looking to increase its focus on its high-protein products and extend collaboration with the Algerian government, after a previous joint venture in Malaysia came to an end.
Baladna is already the market leader in many key dairy and juice categories in its home ground Qatar, particularly in key sectors such as fresh milk (96.1%) and UHT milk (92.5%), so the firm is now looking at various new strategies to keep up this rate of growth and push through to the next level.
It has also finalised a major national-level joint venture with the Algerian National Investment Fund to establish the world’s largest vertically integrated dairy farm in Algeria, its latest initiative to brings its experience and expertise with establishing dairy self-sufficiency.
‘Perfect playground’: Kerry to ramp up presence in ME amid start-up boom, evolving consumer demands
Kerry is looking to boost its R&D and production capabilities in the Middle East amid a boom in new businesses and evolving consumer demands.
As part of its efforts to tap into opportunities in the region, the company participated in Gulfood Manufacturing in Dubai last November to showcase its “locally relevant” solutions.
Over the years, the company has focused heavily on localising production as well as setting up R&D and application facilities in the Middle East.
“I’m responsible for the India, Middle East and Africa regions, where there are almost 3bn people and 81 countries but we only have presence in 16 of them, so our ambition is very high. What is really exciting about these markets is that we are seeing great opportunities to combine different Kerry technologies into solutions that will work for multiple customers,” Peter Dillane, Vice President and General Manager of Kerry in the Middle East, India, Sub-Saharan Africa (MISA) told FoodNavigator-Asia.
4 things food brands must know to enter Saudi Arabia
Explore the top four insights food brands need to tap into Saudi Arabia’s fast-evolving F&B market, driven by rising demand and shifting consumer trends.
The Middle East has seen enormous economic and population growth over the past decade, with Saudi Arabia emerging as one of the highest-potential markets for food and beverage development in this region.
This has been driven by population demographics as well government policies such as opening up its trade and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 which prioritises retail reform and has attracted many international brands.
Find out what food brands have to be aware of to gain entry and thrive in this burgeoning market.
UAE food sector embracing AI, cloud tech to drive efficiency
AI and cloud tech are transforming the UAE food industry amid government initiatives to modernise operations, reduce costs, and enhance supply chain efficiency.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has invested significant amounts of money and time into AI, not least in the development of its national UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy which aims to position the UAE as a global AI leader by 2031, integrating AI into various sectors.
The UAE has previously been highlighted as a ‘dark horse’ in terms of regional food AI leadership, and the country appears to be taking this very seriously.
