United Arab Emirates (UAE) Savory Snacks Market Overview, 2028

The United Arab Emirates is home to a diverse population, with residents hailing from various regions of the world. This multiculturalism has resulted in a fusion of flavours and culinary influences, with a wide range of international savoury snacks finding their way into the UAE market. Savoury snacks have become an integral part of the UAE's snacking culture, enjoyed by both Emiratis and the diverse expatriate community residing in the country. In the UAE, savoury snacks are often associated with socialising and hospitality. Emiratis have a strong tradition of offering food and refreshments to guests, and savoury snacks play a role in this hospitality. It is common for households to serve a variety of savoury snacks during family gatherings, social events, or when hosting guests. This reflects the UAE's culture of generosity and creating a welcoming environment for visitors. In the UAE, savoury snacks are often associated with socialising and hospitality. Emiratis have a strong tradition of offering food and refreshments to guests, and savoury snacks play a role in this hospitality. It is common for households to serve a variety of savoury snacks during family gatherings, social events, or when hosting guests. This reflects the UAE's culture of generosity and creating a welcoming environment for visitors. Emirati cuisine also has its own traditional savoury snacks that hold cultural significance. These may include popular snacks such as samosas, falafel, sambousek, and fatayer, which are enjoyed during festive occasions, Ramadan, or simply as everyday treats. These traditional snacks reflect the heritage and culinary traditions of the Emirati people.

According to the research report "United Arab Emirates Savory Snacks Market Overview, 2028," published by Bonafide Research, The United Arab Emirates Savory Snack market was valued at above USD 563.52 Million in 2022.The savoury snack market can be segmented into various categories based on product type. It includes Potato chips, extruded snacks, popcorn, nuts and seeds, puffed snacks, tortilla chips, and many more. The UAE savoury snacks sector was dominated by the nut and seed category. Nut and seed snacks refer to a variety of savoury snacks made from roasted or flavoured nuts and seeds, such as peanuts, cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds. These snacks are known for their nutritional value and the rich flavours they offer. The nuts and seeds market in the UAE is around 200 million. The popularity of the nut and seed category can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, nuts and seeds are considered healthy snack options, as they are a good source of protein, fibre, and essential nutrients. In a region where health and wellness are gaining importance, consumers are increasingly seeking nutritious snack alternatives, and nut and seed snacks fulfil this demand. Meat snacks are also holding a significant market share in the UAE market. In the country, there is significant demand for halal meat snacks, as adhering to halal dietary requirements is important for many consumers. The fast-paced lifestyle in the UAE has fueled the demand for convenient, on-the-go snack options. Meat snacks, such as beef jerky or meat sticks, offer portability, a long shelf life, and do not require refrigeration, making them ideal for busy individuals or those looking for quick protein-rich snacks.

In the UAE savoury snack market, several major brands have gained significant recognition and popularity. Lay's is one of the leading brands, offering a wide array of potato chips in various flavours. Known for their crispy texture and wide flavour selection, Lay's has become a household name in the UAE. Pringles, with their iconic stackable chips, have also made a strong presence in the market, offering a range of unique flavours that consumers enjoy. Cheetos, known for their cheese-flavoured snacks like puffs and sticks, have a loyal following and are favoured for their bold and cheesy taste. Doritos, with their zesty tortilla chips, have also captured a substantial share of the market, appealing to consumers who enjoy bold and tangy flavours. Ruffles, recognised for their ridged potato chips that deliver a satisfying crunch, is another prominent brand in the UAE savoury snacks market. Additionally, UAE-based brands like Lulu, Hunter's Gourmet, and Hala have made their mark by offering a diverse range of savoury snacks, including potato chips, organic popcorn, vegetable crisps, and gourmet options. These major brands reflect the dynamic nature of the UAE savoury snacks market, where a variety of flavours, textures, and brands cater to the diverse preferences of consumers in the region. Sales channels for savoury snacks, catering to the preferences and convenience of consumers. Supermarkets and hypermarkets like Carrefour, Lulu Hypermarket, Spinneys, Choithrams, and Al Maya Supermarket are major retail destinations where consumers can find a wide variety of savoury snack brands and flavours under one roof. Convenience stores such as Zoom, 7-Eleven, Allday Minimart, and Quick Mart provide a quick and accessible option for consumers to grab savoury snacks while on the go. In the digital era, online retail has gained significant popularity, and platforms like Noon, Amazon.ae, Carrefour UAE Online, and Talabat offer consumers the convenience of browsing and purchasing savoury snacks from the comfort of their homes. Specialty snack shops like The Snack Society, Snacktivate, Gourmet Box, and The Lime Tree Café & Kitchen cater to snack enthusiasts looking for unique and premium options. Traditional markets and souks, including Souk Al Bahar, Spice Souk in Deira, and Abu Dhabi Central Market, offer a cultural and immersive shopping experience where consumers can explore local snacks and flavours.

The UAE has advertising and marketing regulations that govern the promotion of food products, including savory snacks. These regulations aim to ensure that advertisements are truthful, transparent, and do not mislead consumers. In a predominantly Muslim country like the UAE, halal certification is important for many consumers. Savoury snack brands often seek halal certification to ensure that their products comply with Islamic dietary requirements and are suitable for Muslim consumers. The government mandates clear and accurate labelling of savoury snacks, including information on ingredients, nutritional content, allergens, and expiration dates. Labels must comply with specific requirements and standards to provide consumers with essential information. The savoury snacks market in the UAE faces both challenges and drivers that shape its growth and development. One of the challenges is the increasing focus on health and wellness among consumers. With a growing awareness of the impact of dietary choices on health, there is a demand for healthier snack options with reduced salt, fat, and artificial additives. Manufacturers need to address this challenge by offering healthier alternatives that align with changing consumer preferences. Another challenge is the intense competition in the market. Numerous local and international brands compete for market share, necessitating product differentiation, effective branding, and competitive pricing strategies. Companies must continually innovate and differentiate their offerings to stand out in this highly competitive landscape. On the other hand, several drivers fuel the growth of the savoury snack market. The UAE's growing population and increasing urbanisation contribute to the rising demand for savoury snacks. The expanding consumer base, including a large expatriate population, provides opportunities for market growth. The busy lifestyles of UAE residents drive the demand for convenient snack options. Savoury snacks offer quick and easy solutions for on-the-go consumption, catering to the fast-paced routines of busy professionals and families.

Considered in this report
• Geography: United Arab Emirates
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028



Aspects covered in this report
• United Arab Emirates Savory Snacks Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product type
• Potato chips
• Extruded snacks
• Popcorn
• Nuts & seeds
• Puffed snacks
• Tortilla chips
• fruit & vegetable chips
• Pretzels
• Meat snacks

By Category
• Baked
• Fried

By Distribution Channel
• Supermarkets & Hypermarkets
• Retail
• Convenience stores
• Online stores
• Speciality Stores
• Others (Forecourt retailers, Discounters, Independent small grocers, etc.)

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analysing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us. we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to savory snacks 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.