Middle East Africa Ice Cream Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2023 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2024 - 2029 |
| Historical Data Period | 2019 - 2022 |
| CAGR | 5.41 % |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Middle East Africa Ice Cream Market Analysis
The Middle East & Africa ice cream market was valued at USD 80.61 billion for the current year and is projected to register a CAGR of 5.41% over the next five years.
- The Middle East and African ice cream market is growing significantly due to the increased consumption and sales of ice cream. This briefs the need for consumers to continually experiment with new flavors and tastes of ice cream to not saturate with conventional offerings.
- As a result, the major ice cream brands, Baskin-Robbins and Haagen-Dazs, ice cream are well catering to the growing demand for development and innovations in the industry. Branded and private-labeled ice creams comprise a vital part of the Middle East & African frozen dessert market. Additionally, the shift in consumer preference toward the vegan diet and the growing lactose intolerance population improved demand for the non-dairy ice cream category across the region. This, in turn, is augmenting the growth of the ice cream market in the region.
- There is also a rise in demand for premium ice creams, which will be one of the primary factors driving the market growth. Premium ice creams have become a popular product among health-conscious consumers due to the presence of high-quality ingredients and a lower amount of aeration than regular ice creams.
- Furthermore, a growing preference for natural, less processed, and convenient food and an increasing focus on low-calorie ice creams are enabling companies to tap the growth potential of the market. For instance, in December 2021, Thrivv, a healthy food brand based in the United Arab Emirates, launched keto-friendly bread, jam, and ice cream for people with diabetes on its e-commerce store and Noon Daily, Kinsons, and Shop Kitopi as well. The market in the region is therefore expected to grow due to these factors.
Middle East Africa Ice Cream Market Trends
Demand for Low-fat and Non-dairy Ice Cream Products
- Non-dairy ice cream products are witnessing significant growth in the market owing to the increasing vegan population. Shifting trends toward vegan lifestyles owing to increasing health consciousness and socialization trends are propelling the industry. Furthermore, rising incidences of lactose intolerance and other milk-related allergies foster product demand.
- For instance, according to Britannica ProCon.org, in Saudi Arabia, in 2022, 28% of the country's population had lactose intolerance; similarly, 81% of South Africa's population had lactose intolerance, while 73% of Morocco's Population had lactose intolerance.
- With the growing awareness of plant-based dairy-free products, consumers are willing to opt for dairy-free ice cream. This, in turn, led the key players to invest more in research and development to formulate new dairy-free frozen desserts, including ice cream.
- For instance, in March 2023, Saddle launched its new offering, matcha ice cream, in Dubai. The ice cream is vegan and dairy-free, as per the company's claim. High per capita ice cream consumption, particularly in the United Arab Emirates and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is boosting the product demand in the region.
- Comprehensive product variations through materials, including coconut, almond, and soy milk, will positively influence the industry's growth. Innovative flavor offerings, mainly including blended flavors, have enhanced product development. Increasing consumer spending on take-home and impulse products will further boost the non-dairy ice cream demand.
United Arab Emirates Dominating the Ice Cream Market
- Ice cream remains the favorite frozen dessert in the United Arab Emirates as it has an arid subtropical climate with long summers and brief warm winters. Thus, expatriates, tourists, and locals consume it throughout the year. Consumption will likely increase with multinational ice-cream manufacturers such as Mars GCC and Unilever Middle East entry. A growing preference for natural, less processed, and convenient food and an increasing focus on low-calorie ice creams enable companies to tap into the market's growth potential.
- Many ice cream manufacturers have been instrumental in introducing new varieties and flavors. For instance, some of the most exotic concoctions in September 2022 include saffron gelato with Emirati pumpkin pudding, green apple wasabi, and pistachio baklava.
- Ahmad Almarri introduced Canvas Gelato, an artisanal ice cream company headquartered in Dubai, in 2017, with the aim of setting a new benchmark for luxury frozen desserts. Almarri's goal was to provide exceptional gelato with robust flavors crafted from natural ingredients.
- Moreover, the growth of the tourism sector and restaurant businesses is also expected to support the growth of the ice cream market in the country. For instance, post-COVID-19, the tourism industry is regaining its trajectory with increasing inbound tourist trips to Saudi Arabia.The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) estimated that around 3.48 million inbound tourists visited Saudi Arabia in the year 2021.
Middle East Africa Ice Cream Industry Overview
The ice cream market is fragmented and competitive, comprising many regional and international competitors. The Middle East & Africa Ice Cream Market includes the company profiles of Unilever, General Mills Inc, Nestle, IFFCO Group, and Wells Enterprises Inc. The most active companies in the market are mainly focused on introducing new products to cater to the interests of consumers.
Key players are focusing on product development and product innovation to meet the consumer's needs by offering a variety of tastes and product quality to maintain premiumization. Some of the major players use mergers and acquisitions as their key strategy.
The strategy to follow mergers and acquisitions by these top players is to sustain and secure a leading position in the industry. This will enable the companies to maintain dominance over other players, and the companies can remain a strong competition for other players in the market.
Middle East Africa Ice Cream Market Leaders
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General Mills, Inc.
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IFFCO Group
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Nestlé S.A.
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Unilever PLC
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Wells Enterprises, Inc.
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Middle East Africa Ice Cream Market News
- May 2023: Siwar Foods signed a private label and distributor agreement with French company Sarl So Mochi to market and distribute a range of Mochi ice cream in the Middle East, starting with the launch in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- May 2022: Baskin-Robbins partnered with the premium chocolate brand Galaxy to launch a fusion product, Milk Chocolate Twist. The product is developed with a fusion concept of flagship chocolate from Galaxy and ice cream from Baskin Robins. The new flavor will be served in a sundae topped with hot fudge, milk chocolate balls, and two Galaxy flutes at a few Baskin-Robbins locations in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
- March 2022: Baskin-Robbins company which operates under Inspire Brands, expanded its presence in the United Arab Emirates by opening its 1000th store in the Middle East, North Africa, and Australia combined. The outlet opened at Dubai Hills Mall, and Baskin-Robbins hosted a public ice cream party at Ain Dubai to mark the event.
Middle East Africa Ice Cream Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET DYNAMICS
4.1 Market Drivers
4.1.1 Demand for Low-fat and Non-Dairy Ice Cream Products
4.1.2 Growing Acceptance of Experimental Flavors
4.2 Market Restraints
4.2.1 Rising Concern over Health Issues Associated with Ice Cream
4.3 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
4.3.1 Threat of New Entrants
4.3.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
4.3.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
4.3.4 Threat of Substitute Products
4.3.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION
5.1 Product Type
5.1.1 Impulse Ice Cream
5.1.2 Take Home Ice Cream
5.1.3 Artisanal Ice Cream
5.2 Distribution Channel
5.2.1 Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
5.2.2 Convenience Stores
5.2.3 Specialist Stores
5.2.4 Online Retail Stores
5.2.5 Other Distribution Channels
5.3 Geography
5.3.1 South Africa
5.3.2 Saudi Arabia
5.3.3 United Arab Emirates
5.3.4 Rest of Middle-East and Africa
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
6.1 Most Adopted Strategies
6.2 Market Share Analysis
6.3 Company Profiles
6.3.1 General Mills, Inc.
6.3.2 Nestlé S.A.
6.3.3 Inspire Brands, Inc.
6.3.4 Unilever PLC
6.3.5 IFFCO Group
6.3.6 Saudia Dairy & Foodstuff Co Ltd
6.3.7 Mars, Incorporated
6.3.8 Wells Enterprises, Inc.
6.3.9 Graviss Group
6.3.10 Gatti Ice Cream
- *List Not Exhaustive
7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
8. DISCLAIMER
Middle East Africa Ice Cream Industry Segmentation
Ice cream is a frozen dessert made using milk, cream, and artificial or natural flavorings.
The Middle East & African ice cream market is segmented into product type, distribution channel, and geography. By product type, the market is segmented into impulse ice cream, take-home ice cream, and artisanal ice cream. Based on the distribution channel, the market is segmented into supermarkets/hypermarkets, convenience stores, specialist stores, online retail stores, and other distribution channels. Based on geography, the market includes major geographies across the region, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Rest of the Middle East & Africa.
For each segment, the market sizing and forecasts have been done on the basis of value (in USD million).
| Product Type | |
| Impulse Ice Cream | |
| Take Home Ice Cream | |
| Artisanal Ice Cream |
| Distribution Channel | |
| Supermarkets/Hypermarkets | |
| Convenience Stores | |
| Specialist Stores | |
| Online Retail Stores | |
| Other Distribution Channels |
| Geography | |
| South Africa | |
| Saudi Arabia | |
| United Arab Emirates | |
| Rest of Middle-East and Africa |
Middle East Africa Ice Cream Market Research FAQs
What is the current Middle East & Africa Ice Cream Market size?
The Middle East & Africa Ice Cream Market is projected to register a CAGR of 5.41% during the forecast period (2024-2029)
Who are the key players in Middle East & Africa Ice Cream Market?
General Mills, Inc., IFFCO Group, Nestlé S.A., Unilever PLC and Wells Enterprises, Inc. are the major companies operating in the Middle East & Africa Ice Cream Market.
What years does this Middle East & Africa Ice Cream Market cover?
The report covers the Middle East & Africa Ice Cream Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Middle East & Africa Ice Cream Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Ice Cream in Middle East Africa Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 Ice Cream in Middle East Africa market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Ice Cream in Middle East Africa analysis includes a market forecast outlook to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
Ice Cream Market in Middle East Africa Report Snapshots
