Middle East & Africa Baby Food Market Outlook, 2029

The Middle East and Africa (MEA) baby food market industry is a dynamic and rapidly growing sector catering to the nutritional needs of infants and toddlers across the region. With a population that includes a significant number of young children, there is a consistent demand for high-quality and nutritious baby food products. The market encompasses a diverse range of offerings, including infant formula, baby cereals, purees, snacks, and ready-to-eat meals, designed to meet the developmental milestones and dietary requirements of infants and toddlers. Factors driving the growth of the MEA baby food market include increasing urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and growing awareness among parents about the importance of early childhood nutrition. Moreover, the market is characterized by a shift towards organic and natural baby food products, driven by health-conscious parents seeking safer and cleaner options for their children. Regulatory standards ensure the safety and quality of baby food products, fostering consumer trust and confidence. Regulations establish maximum limits for contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and mycotoxins, as well as permissible food additives, to protect infants from harmful substances. In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, baby food products are regulated by national authorities such as the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) and the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA). According to the research report "Middle East and Africa Baby Food Market Overview, 2029," published by Bonafide Research, the Middle East and Africa Baby Food market is expected to reach a market size of more than USD 11 Billion by 2029. The baby food market in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region is a burgeoning sector experiencing significant growth driven by various factors unique to the region. With a population that includes a substantial number of infants and young children, there is a consistent demand for safe, nutritious, and convenient baby food products. One of the primary drivers of the MEA baby food market is the region's rapid urbanization, particularly in countries like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa, where urban populations are expanding rapidly. This urbanization trend is accompanied by increasing disposable incomes and changing lifestyles, leading to a higher demand for packaged and ready-to-eat baby food options. Moreover, there is a growing awareness among parents in the MEA region about the importance of early childhood nutrition, fueled by access to information and rising health consciousness. This awareness drives demand for baby food products that offer high nutritional value and meet specific dietary needs. Additionally, the MEA baby food market is witnessing a shift towards organic and natural products, driven by health-conscious consumers seeking safer and cleaner options for their children. Regulatory standards and policies ensure the safety and quality of baby food products in the region, fostering consumer trust and confidence.

The baby food market industry in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) offers a diverse range of products tailored to meet the nutritional needs of infants and toddlers across the region. Key product types include infant formula, baby cereals, purees, snacks, and ready-to-eat meals. Infant formula stands as a fundamental category, providing essential nutrients for babies who are not breastfed or need supplemental nutrition. This segment often includes specialized formulations for different stages of infancy and specific dietary requirements. Baby cereals, fortified with vitamins and minerals, serve as crucial sources of iron and other nutrients essential for early growth and development. Purees, crafted from fruits, vegetables, and meats, offer convenient and nutritious meal options for babies transitioning to solid foods, while snacks such as teething biscuits and fruit bars cater to older infants and toddlers, encouraging self-feeding and fine motor skills. Ready-to-eat meals, comprising balanced and pre-portioned servings of various ingredients, provide convenience for busy parents. Furthermore, there is a noticeable trend towards organic and natural baby food products in the MEA region, reflecting a broader global movement towards healthier and cleaner eating options. This diversity in product types ensures that parents have access to a wide variety of nutritious options to support their children's growth and development, catering to the diverse preferences and dietary needs of families across the MEA region. The distribution channels of the baby food market industry in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region encompass a variety of outlets catering to the diverse consumer base across the region. Traditional brick-and-mortar retailers remain significant, with supermarkets, hypermarkets, and pharmacies serving as primary distribution channels for baby food products. These stores offer convenience and accessibility to a wide range of consumers, particularly in urban areas where shopping centers are prevalent. Moreover, specialized baby stores play a crucial role, providing a focused selection of baby food along with expert advice on nutrition and feeding. With the increasing penetration of digital technologies, e-commerce has emerged as a significant distribution channel in the MEA region. Online marketplaces and dedicated baby food websites provide convenience for busy parents, offering a wide variety of products and the ability to compare prices and read reviews from the comfort of their homes. Direct-to-consumer sales through company websites have also gained traction, allowing manufacturers to establish a direct relationship with customers and offer personalized shopping experiences. Additionally, distribution partnerships with healthcare providers, such as paediatricians and maternity hospitals, serve as important channels for promoting and distributing baby food products, leveraging the trust and authority of healthcare professionals. One of the main factors propelling the growth of the infant care products market in Saudi Arabia is the rising consciousness for quality products. One of the effective government agencies in Saudi Arabia that ensures food and product quality at predetermined intervals of time is the ministry of health. The Saudi Arabian market for infant care products is growing as a result of the government's strong laws and regulations protecting the quality of goods and services, particularly in food and baby care. Consumers' growing awareness of the importance of high-quality baby products is driving the market expansion for baby care items in developed nations like Saudi Arabia. The high support offered by the Saudi Arabia government is making Saudi Arabia a market for quality products. Baby care products are items that have to showcase more quality and hygiene. The food policies of the Saudi government in the field of food and health sector and baby care are boosting the market of baby care products in Saudi Arabia.

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Recent Developments • In March 2022, Le Lionceau, a Dakar-based company that specialized in the production and marketing of smooth purée for children from 6 months to 36 months, launched its products in Senegal. The company claims that its products are of high nutritional quality and made from locally produced fruits, vegetables, cereals, and ingredients. • In May 2020, India-based children's organic food company Mimmo Organics expanded its operations in the Middle East with the launch of its baby food products. • In February 2020, Arla Foods, a leading international dairy company, introduced its new range of Arla Baby&Me Organic supplements to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates following increased demand for related products in the Middle East with a launch event at Park Hyatt Jeddah – L'azurde Ballroom held recently. COVID-19 impact The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic affected the market growth of baby food in Middle-East and Africa. The lockdowns and isolations imposed by governments resulted in the shutdown of manufacturing units in the Middle East and Africa, resulting in the decline of the baby food market. The supply chain sector of the baby food market got affected, but with that the rising awareness about infant health and wellness, the market grew and saw an incline in the sale of baby food products. Major Companies Included: The Hain Celestial Group, The Kraft Heinz Company, Perrigo Company plc, Reckitt Benckiser Group plc, Hero Group, HiPP GmbH & Co. Vertrieb KG, Arla Food, Danone, Ella's Kitchen, Friesland Campina, Ausnutria, Beingmate

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Considered in the report • Geography: Middle East and Africa • Base year: 2023 • Historical year: 2018 • Forecasted year: 2029 Countries covered: • South Africa • Saudi Arabia • UAE Aspects covered in the report • Market Size by Value for the period (2018-2029F) • Market Share by Product Type (Milk Formula, Dried Baby Food, Cereals, Others) • Market Share by Channel Sales (Hyper/Supermarket, Convenience store, Pharmacy/ Drugstores, Online) • Market Share by Country • Market Share by Company The approach of the report: We keep an eye on evolving markets and try to evaluate the potential of the products and services. If we find the market interesting, we start working on it and create the desired table of content, considering all aspects of the business. We start by creating separate questionnaires for C-level executives, national/regional sales personnel, company owners, dealers, distributors, and end-users. Once the questionnaires have been finalized, we start collecting the primary data (mostly through phone calls) and try to understand the market dynamics regionally or tier-wise. This process gives us in-depth details of the market, including all present companies, the top-performing products with reasons why they dominate; we get the details of new players and their innovative approaches; market trends; dynamics; and all the small details of the market. After the collection of primary inputs, we then cross-check the same with secondary sources that include associations, trade journals, annual reports, paid databases, newspapers, magazines, press releases, government sources, etc. From this, we get a rough estimate of the market and start checking existing product price variants, trade, production, raw material scenarios, policies and regulatory landscape, etc. Then, to finalize the market, we start collecting financials of each player present in the market, including limited, private limited, and LLPs. Moreover, we perform cross-industry and cross-region analysis of the product, and based on collected primary inputs and using statistical modeling, we start forecasting the market. We follow our forecasting algorithm, which is unique for each product but gives more weight age to primary inputs. At the same time, the content team starts preparing company profiles, market dynamics, market trends, five forces, PEST analysis, etc. Once the data is verified by the data expert, the team (primary team, content team, and data team) together crosscheck the segmentations, validate the market, and then the designing team starts plotting the graphs. Once the file is ready, the content team completes the report and makes sure that all the discussed points have been covered and provides their valuable inputs in the form of strategic recommendations for new as well as existing players. The QC team then checks the overall report that includes spell check, data verification, and makes the same dispatch ready and error-free. Intended Audience This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to the Consumer goods and Service industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry. Keywords: Middle East And Africa, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Infant, Milk Formula, Dried Baby Food, Cereals, Supermarkets, Hypermarket, Pharmacy, Drugstores, Convenience Stores, Online This Report would help to answer these questions: 1. What is the growth rate of the Middle East and Africa Baby Food market? 2. Which Country is the biggest Baby Food market in Middle East and Africa Pacific? 3. What is the key Baby Food market driver? 4. Which Sales Channel segment has the biggest market share? 5. Which Product Type segment has a significant future market growth? Answers: 1. Middle East and Africa Baby Food market is expected to grow with a CAGR of over 6% CAGR till the year of 2027. 2. Saudi Arabia is the biggest market in the region with around 30% of the total market share in 2021 3. The changing lifestyle in the region with favourable government policies is driving the market. 4. The Hyper/Supermarket segment has the biggest market share in the region accounting for around 40% of the total market. 5. The Dried Baby food segment is going to grow with one of the highest CAGR of almost 7%