MEA Frozen Food Market - By Product Type: Frozen Meat & Poultry, Frozen Vegetables & Fruits, Frozen Fish & Seafood, Ready Meals (Arab, Asian, Western), Frozen Snacks & Breads (samosas, spring rolls, flatbreads), Frozen Dairy (ice cream, frozen yogurt); By Distribution Channel: Hypermarkets & Supermarkets, Discounters & Traditional Retail, Online Grocery & Delivery Apps, HoReCa (Hotels, Airlines, Caterers), Institutional Buyers (Hospitals, Schools, Camps)
1 | Market Overview:
The frozen food market in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region is expanding rapidly, driven by urbanization, changing lifestyles, rising disposable incomes, and a surge in the modern retail sector. Increasing demand for convenience and the growing young population in countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and South Africa are accelerating the shift toward frozen meals, snacks, and staples. The rise of QSR chains, cloud kitchens, and online food retail has further fueled frozen food consumption. Government investments in food security and local manufacturing, particularly in Gulf nations, are strengthening regional supply chains.
2 | Market Size and Forecast
|
Year |
Market Value (USD Billion) |
Notes |
|
2019 |
6.2 |
Historical baseline |
|
2024 |
9.1 |
Five-year CAGR 7.9% |
|
2031 |
16.7 |
Seven-year CAGR 9.0% |
The MEA frozen food market is projected to nearly double between 2024 and 2031, fueled by increasing urban demand, enhanced logistics, and growth in regional processing capacity.
3 | Key Market Drivers
4 | Market Challenges
5 | Competitive Landscape
The MEA frozen food market is fragmented, consisting of a mix of multinational corporations, regional manufacturers, and rapidly growing private labels.
Market Share Estimates (2024):
|
Company |
Estimated Market Share |
Regional Presence |
|
Al Islami Foods |
9% |
GCC – meats and ready meals |
|
BRF Sadia |
8% |
Wide Middle East network – poultry and snacks |
|
Americana |
7% |
Pan-regional – Arab cuisine frozen meals |
|
McCain Foods |
6% |
Potatoes and appetizers – strong in South Africa and Gulf |
|
Private Labels |
28% |
High in GCC and Egypt via retail chains |
|
Regional & Local Players |
42% |
Diverse offerings, including halal and ethnic cuisines |
6 | Market Segmentation
By Product Type:
By Distribution Channel:
By Region:
7 | Strategic Outlook
Growth will hinge on expanding region-specific product portfolios (halal, spicy, vegetarian), upgrading last-mile cold chain logistics, and investing in digital order fulfillment. Partnerships between international brands and regional manufacturers will unlock localisation and cost synergies.
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