Animetrics Research Examines Saudi Arabia’s Food System Amid Tradition and Transformation
From January to March 2026, Animetrics published a set of finalized projects that investigate how cultural traditions, economic pressures, and institutional frameworks shape food systems across Muslim‑majority societies. Covering Lebanon, the Gulf, and Türkiye, these studies provide a regional lens on the shifting dynamics of consumption and resilience. In Saudi Arabia, the research highlights how rapid modernization, shifting demographics, and religious traditions intersect to shape food consumption.
Morocco’s Plant‑Based Milk Industry: Rising Against the Dairy Current
When Jaouda launched Nabatlé in 2025, it marked a turning point for Morocco: the country’s first locally made plant‑based milk brand. With oat, almond, and coconut varieties fortified with calcium and free from gluten, lactose, added sugars, and preservatives, Nabatlé quickly became a symbol of innovation and sustainability. Yet its rise comes at a time when Morocco is also expanding conventional dairy, most recently with a US$10.8 million milk plant investment in Kenitra, underscoring the challenge plant‑based alternatives face in a market still dominated by traditional production.
Will Saudi Arabia’s Single‑Cell Protein Innovation Reduce or Intensify Animal Suffering?
Saudi Arabia’s plan to build the world’s largest single‑cell protein (SCP) plant marks a significant moment in the evolution of global food systems. Developed in partnership with Denmark’s Unibio International, the facility will use methane to cultivate microbial protein at unprecedented scale. This raises a pressing ethical question: will such innovation reduce the suffering of animals by displacing fishmeal and soy, or will it reinforce the structures of factory farming by serving primarily as feed within the same intensive systems?
Animetrics Research Examines Lebanon’s Food System Amid Crisis and Cultural Traditions
Between January and March 2026, Animetrics released a series of finalized projects examining how cultural traditions, economic realities, and institutional structures shape food systems in Muslim‑majority contexts, covering Lebanon, the Gulf, and Türkiye. In Lebanon, the research captures a nation in crisis: economic collapse, currency devaluation, and the strain of hosting large refugee populations have reshaped everyday food choices.
Clean Labels, Cultural Roots: How Plant-Based Flavors Shape Saudi Arabia’s Food Future
Saudi Arabia’s natural food flavors sector is entering a dynamic phase, shaped by consumer demand for preservative‑free products and a growing emphasis on health‑conscious choices. Plant‑based sources already dominate the market, with dates, saffron, rose water, and spice blends anchoring the region’s culinary identity. At the same time, new product launches, such as Milaf Cola, a date‑based soft drink, illustrate how traditional ingredients are being reimagined for modern tastes. This transformation aligns with the country’s Vision 2030 strategy, which prioritizes food security, sustainability, and local manufacturing, positioning natural flavors at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s evolving food future.
Precision Fermentation: Unlocking Sustainable Protein Opportunities in the Middle East
Precision fermentation is rapidly becoming one of the most transformative technologies in the global food industry, and its relevance to the Middle East is particularly striking. By programming microorganisms to produce proteins identical to those found in milk, eggs, or collagen, this process offers a scalable, animal-free solution to meet rising demand for sustainable proteins. Globally, the market is projected to reach USD 57.1 billion by 2032, driven by advances in biotechnology and consumer interest in alternatives to traditional animal agriculture. For the Middle East, where food security and resource limitations are pressing concerns, precision fermentation represents not only a global trend but also a strategic opportunity to strengthen resilience and foster innovation.
Saudi Arabia’s Non‑Dairy Creamer Market: A Blend of Culture and Innovation
Saudi Arabia is witnessing a remarkable transformation in its coffee culture, and this shift is reshaping the market for non‑dairy coffee creamers. What was once a niche product is now becoming a mainstream choice, driven by the rapid expansion of specialty cafés, the rise of health‑conscious consumers, and the growing appetite for plant‑based alternatives. Market projections show steady growth, with the sector expected to expand from around USD 24.8 million in 2025 to USD 42.7 million by 2034, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of more than six percent.
Plant-Based Diets in Saudi Arabia: A Path to Sustainability and Health
Saudi Arabia is undergoing a remarkable shift in its food systems, driven by Vision 2030. At the heart of this transformation lies the growing interest in plant-based diets, not just as a lifestyle choice but as a strategic response to challenges of sustainability, food security, and public health.
UAE’s Vegan Ice Cream Market Forecasts Strong Growth — Dinner’s Ready Leads the Way
The United Arab Emirates is witnessing a steady rise in vegan ice cream demand, driven by health awareness, ethical choices, and the growing popularity of plant‑based diets. Cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are at the forefront of this shift, making dairy‑free indulgence more accessible than ever. One standout example is Dinner’s Ready, a homegrown delivery brand offering one of the largest ranges of vegan ice cream in the UAE. Their menu includes indulgent flavors like Vegan Chocolate, Salted Caramel, and Lotus Biscoff, alongside refreshing sorbets such as Mango Madness, Passion Fruit, and Raspberry Burst.
Saudi Arabia’s Vegan Chocolate Market Forecasts Strong Growth Amid Health and Lifestyle Shifts
Saudi Arabia’s vegan chocolate market is poised for significant growth, with IMARC Group projecting the sector to rise from USD 12.9 million in 2025 to USD 30.9 million by 2034. This reflects a compound annual growth rate of 10.2 percent between 2026 and 2034, underscoring the increasing role of plant-based indulgence in the Kingdom’s evolving consumer landscape.
Vegan Snack Packs in the UAE: A Market Shift Toward Conscious Consumption
Based on a recent report by IndexBox on the UAE marketplace for vegan snack packs, the category is showing clear signs of growth and diversification. What was once a niche offering is now becoming a mainstream choice, with both international health food brands and local specialists competing for visibility and consumer loyalty.
The UAE’s Alternative Protein Strategy: Building a Regional Hub for Sustainable Food Innovation
The United Arab Emirates is channeling significant resources into the alternative proteins sector, integrating large-scale infrastructure projects, regulatory innovation, and collaborations between public and private entities to establish itself as a central hub for advanced food production in the region. These initiatives are closely tied to the nation’s broader goals of economic diversification and strengthening food security.
Algae, Lab‑Grown Meat, and Smarter Farms: Shaping the Future of Food in MENA
MENA is entering a moment of transformation, where food is increasingly connected to ideas of health, sustainability, and more mindful consumption. Across the region, new opportunities are opening up: Gulf states are channeling major investments into cultivated meat to meet protein demand ethically, North Africa is expanding aquaculture to deliver sustainable plant‑based protein and strengthen food security, and climate‑smart agriculture is already woven into national strategies. Together, these shifts point toward a future where innovation and responsibility redefine how the region grows and consumes food, creating systems that are efficient, climate‑conscious, and aligned with a vision of healthier diets.
MEA Vegan Baking Ingredients Rise 66% by 2035, Egg Replacers at the Forefront
The vegan baking ingredients market in the Middle East & Africa (MEA) is forecast to expand from USD 25.5 million in 2025 to USD 42.3 million by 2035, marking a 65.9% increase at a CAGR of 5.2%. At the forefront of this expansion are egg replacers & binders, projected as the largest product type segment, reflecting how functional performance and formulation reliability are unlocking mainstream adoption across bakery applications.
Another Peer‑Reviewed Study Shows Vegan Diet Outperforms Mediterranean for Weight Loss
A new study published in Frontiers in Nutrition has found that a low‑fat vegan diet leads to greater weight loss than the Mediterranean diet. Conducted by researchers at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) in Washington, D.C., the randomized, cross‑over trial compared the two diets in overweight adults. The Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, legumes, fish, low‑fat dairy, and olive oil, was long considered a benchmark for healthy eating. The vegan diet, by contrast, excludes all animal products and focuses on fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes, while limiting oils and nuts. In this study, the vegan diet proved more effective for weight management.
Peer‑Reviewed Study Shows Vegan Diet Equals Mediterranean in Nutrition, Excels in Sustainability
A new peer‑reviewed study published in Frontiers in Nutrition by researchers from the University of Granada and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) has confirmed that a well‑planned vegan diet can be nutritionally adequate and comparable to the Mediterranean diet. Importantly, the study also highlights the vegan diet’s environmental advantages, showing that it can dramatically reduce carbon emissions, land use, and water consumption, making it both a healthy and sustainable choice.
Plant-based brand Vegan 2025 Expands Into GCC and Egypt, Valued at $500 Million
Plant-based brand Vegan 2025, now valued at 500 million dollars, is making headlines with its expansion into GCC and Egyptian markets. The company’s rapid growth reflects rising demand for halal-certified, climate-smart, and culturally resonant food choices across the region. Over the past 18 months, Vegan 2025 has achieved a tenfold increase in sales, positioning itself as one of the fastest-growing plant-based brands in the Middle East. Its valuation underscores investor confidence in the future of alternative proteins.
Cruelty-Free and Culturally Rooted: The Vegan Cosmetics Surge in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is no longer just a consumer of global beauty trends — it’s becoming a regional leader in ethical cosmetics. According to a 2025 market report, the Saudi vegan cosmetics sector is projected to grow from USD 165.28 billion in 2024 to USD 267.98 billion by 2030, driven by a compound annual growth rate of 8.45%.
Mapping the Growth of Vegan Protein in the Arab Region: How Conscious Nutrition is Shaping the Future
Consumers in the Arab region and globally are increasingly seeking proteins from sources such as lentils, chickpeas, fava beans, peas, soybeans, rice, and hemp—not only appealing to vegans but also attracting health-conscious individuals pursuing sustainable, functional nutrition. According to the Middle East & Africa Plant-Based Protein Market Outlook, 2030, the region is blending its rich culinary heritage with modern innovations, positioning itself at the intersection of tradition and transformation.
UAE Clears Path for Cultured Meat Expansion—Regional Market to Hit $74M by 2030
The Middle East’s protein landscape is entering a new phase of innovation and execution. With the UAE scaling cultivated meat infrastructure through its AGWA food-tech hub in Abu Dhabi, the region is positioning itself as a strategic center for ethical, sustainable, and locally driven protein solutions.