IFF wants to accelerate speed to market for food manufacturers in the Middle East and Africa, after its Creation and Design Center in Turkey was officially recognised as a key innovation centre by the country’s Ministry of Industry and Technology (MoIT).
Japan has earmarked the Middle East as its next major emerging market for exports with the establishment of a specialised export platform in the UAE, banking on the rising interest in Japanese food in the region.
Middle East food and beverage giant Agthia has reaped the rewards of solid investments into new product innovation with significant volume-led growth in the first half of 2024, and hopes to further boost this with its newly opened protein facility.
Qatari dairy firm Baladna has announced plans to double down on its new product innovation and international market expansion strategy, particularly in Algeria, after seeing a record growth in net profits over the first six months of 2024.
A study has identified ageing, female demographic, and pre-existing health conditions as some of the key factors that influence the Lebanese population’s uptake of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet).
Singapore-based Jääde is actively strengthening its presence in the local market for its packaged Finnish spring water, while working to expand across the region in the long run.
The meteoric rise of FIX Dessert Chocolatier’s chunky chocolate bars can be attributed to the growing influence of social media on purchasing decisions, exclusivity, and unique regional flavours, says an analyst.
Increasing international business partnerships, growing production in the Middle East, and developments in traceability and regulations are set to propel the growth of the halal foods sector, according to a new report.
Thai seafood giant Thai Union has highlighted its ambient product business as the main sales growth booster for the company in the first half of 2024, further supplemented by rising tuna prices and its rapidly-growing value-added product category.
Snacking giant Mondelez says affordability, portion control and portfolio variety as important growth drivers for the AMEA snacking industry in an era when consumers have become increasingly fastidious about their spending.
The intake of freeze-dried kale and pea powders both led to improved metabolic profile among Saudi adults with obesity, but the latter was found to be superior for blood glucose control in a cross-over study.
India snack specialist Farmley has revealed new data showing that makhanas and dry fruits are popular across generations, with chocolate and vanilla flavours among the top favourites in its 2024 Healthy Snacking Report.
Middle East F&B firm Agthia will shift its strategy beyond a focus on the United Arab Emirates to firmly establish itself as a leader in markets in the wider MENA region and beyond by 2025.
Dubai-based healthy snack brand Freakin’ Healthy is leveraging Agthia Group’s resources and doubling down on consumer-driven product innovation to stand out in an increasingly crowded category.
A study suggests that individuals who are carriers of a specific genetic variant may reap better exercise performance from caffeine supplementation, underscoring a potential approach for developing personalised sports nutrition products.
Chinese firm GanoHerb has identified untapped opportunities in the Middle Eastern market, where awareness and availability of ganoderma products are relatively scant.
Singapore start-up Strictly Nuts is hoping to convince consumers that fox nuts are versatile go-to snacks for all ages, with a focus on heath and versatility to grow its reach in the market.
Swiss-based Origen X, which acquired the world’s oldest vodka brand, hopes a focus on heritage and authenticity will lead to success in key Asian markets.
US-based SAMBAZON is looking to expand uptake of açaí products in the Middle East, where the firm says awareness about the superfruit still has much room for growth.
The Brooklyn Creamery has launched a range of protein ice cream bars in its domestic market and the UAE, where it is leveraging its partnership with a quick-commerce platform to meet growing consumer demand for protein-rich desserts.
The bioactive compounds, high nutritional content and antioxidant capabilities of dates make the fruit an effective base ingredient for functional snack bars, says Saudi researchers.
Middle Eastern food and beverage heavyweight Agthia has accelerated the development of its food safety and AI initiatives as part of the company’s digital roadmap, after strong financial performance in the first quarter.
South Korean food and beverage major Nongshim is intensifying global expansion activities, including raising visibility through event sponsorship in Dubai, entry into prominent supermarkets in France, and increasing production capacity for its US plant.
Selenium supplementation for 12 weeks had beneficial effects on several oxidative stress biomarkers and migraine symptoms, suggesting its potential as a complementary therapy, according to a new trial.
Brands should adapt their offerings and messaging to better address the demands of UAE consumers, as health, wellness and ESG practices remain key purchase drivers despite rising cost of living, new data reports.
A nutritional powerhouse that packs more protein and less cholesterol than cow's milk yogurt, buffalo yogurt is ripe for functional innovation, a study suggests.
Plant-based meat alternatives don’t appear to lower cardiovascular risks for Asians, prompting the need to relook at the nutrition profile during product formulation, say researchers.
This round-up features the growth strategies of Middle Eastern companies like GMG, Hunter Foods, and House of Pops, as well as how companies including Germany’s Haus Rabenhorst and Japan’s Aiya are eyeing market opportunities in the region.
Dubai-based snacks firm SMITHS is pursuing a bigger share of the Asian market by banking on its long brand history, and introducing products that are cleaner and tapping on evolving flavour trends.
Estonian oat milk brand YOOK is looking to capitalise on the pureness, nutritional value and “superior” taste of its products to break into the Asian and Middle Eastern markets.
A high weekly intake of dairy products, such as cheese and yoghurt, among children and adolescents was associated with 42% lower odds of wheezing, compared to those who never or only occasionally consume these foods, say researchers in the Middle East.
Singapore food businesses looking to expand reach to the Middle East must be prepared with next-level persistence and a longer-than-average financial plan to succeed - but the returns can be tenfold, according to industry experts.
UAE conglomerate Gulf Marketing Group (GMG)’s frozen foods brand Farm Fresh has unveiled its latest growth strategy by shifting its focus to healthy snacks, specifically targeting “older Gen Zs and younger millennials”.
Japan-headquartered Aiya is looking to seize growth opportunities in the Middle East, where the matcha market is still in its infancy and has significant room for expansion.
Chronic disease patients in Saudi Arabia may consume an excessive amount of herbal supplements, with a lack of communication between them and their healthcare providers risking potential drug interactions, according to a recent study by researchers in...
German firm Haus Rabenhorst is looking to capitalise on the functional beverages trend with its range of nutrient-enriched juices, amid growing interest among consumers in Asia and Middle East.
There is growing interest in Middle East’s nutraceutical sector, says Taiwan biotech firm TCI Co. Ltd, which is hoping to gain market share first through its collagen offerings.
Nestle Malaysia believes that the strength of its core brands such as KitKat and Maggi, as well as the advantages of its large local production operations, will serve it well in overcoming current ‘subdued’ consumer sentiment in the country.
Increasing demand for heathier products coupled with manufacturing advances is giving pre-packaged avocado firm Freshcourt optimism to expand across Asia and the Middle East.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised five countries for their efforts in eliminating industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFA), marking the first time it has done so since launching an initiative in 2018 to encourage food manufacturers...
Dubai-based Wise Monkey Rum is actively expanding into new markets across the globe through both retail and on-trade channels, as it seeks to fill the gap in the mid-range rum category.
Dubai-based frozen desserts brand House of Pops has identified three key drivers to propel its next stage of growth, namely expansion of product line-up, increasing market presence, and offering of private label services.
Middle Eastern snacks firm Hunter Foods has expanded its product range and repackaged its best-sellers amid booming consumer demand, in a bid to stay ahead of rising competition in the category.
