Growth Outlook 2026: Middle East & Africa Plant-Based Market at USD 390M, Rising to USD 560M by 2031
The Middle East and Africa market for plant-based meat and dairy alternatives is projected to reach USD 560.5 million by 2031, growing at a 6.21 percent CAGR. This trajectory reflects structural changes in food systems, government strategies, and rising health awareness across the region, with notable momentum in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. Insights from the latest Mordor Intelligence report highlight how these dynamics are shaping the industry’s future.
Sustained Growth Ahead: Middle East's Alternative Protein Sector Driven by Consumer Demand and Food Tech Innovations
The rising interest in plant-based meat and dairy alternatives in the Middle East, driven by growing health awareness and a wider range of product options, is expected to boost the alternative protein sector's growth in the coming years. Ayca Yumlu Karaozan, Regional Product Manager – Culinary & Alternative Proteins SAMEA at Givaudan, notes that the combined forces of consumer demand and technological innovation are likely to elevate the alternative protein sector to mainstream status across the region.
Switch Foods: Cultivating a Sustainable Future, One Plant-Based Bite at a Time
UAE-based Switch Foods is poised to be a game-changer in the region's plant-based meat market. Founded by Edward Hamod, a food industry veteran with a newfound focus on sustainability, Switch Foods offers locally-produced alternatives to traditional meat favorites.
Thryve™️ Plant-Based Meat Factory Launches in Dubai, Boosting Sustainability and Food Security in the Region!
Dubai witnessed the opening of the first fully plant-based meat processing plant in the Middle East today, operated under the "Thryve" brand.