Middle East & Africa Cheese Market Outlook, 2027

It is no secret that the Middle East is home to some of the most well-known types of cheese in the world, including labneh and halloumi. The lengthy history of this food staple and its unexpected discovery in modern-day Jordan over 10,000 years ago, however, may be even more astounding. Jordan still practices the art of creating cheese today. There is a resurgent appreciation for the ancient methods of making cheeses by hand, using fresh, local milk, frequently from free-range sheep and goats, even if many of the traditional cheeses, like labneh and halloumi, are now produced commercially. The Middle Eastern environment and way of life have been taken into account when adapting the traditional dairy production and preservation techniques.

According to the research report, "Middle East & Africa Cheese Market Outlook, 2027," published by Bonafide Research, the market is anticipated add USD 2.14 Billion from 2021 to 2027. The market for cheese-based snacks in the Middle East and Africa will be driven by the rising desire for western food and the embrace of western culture. One of the key drivers of market expansion for cheese-based snacks is expected to be urban consumers' evolving lifestyles. The market's expansion could be hampered by rising instances of lactose intolerance and a growing number of consumers who are health-conscious. Intense potential for the market's expansion may result from changing eating and lifestyle habits along with increased demand for comfort food. The availability of substitutes on the market and supply chain disruption, however, could pose a threat to the industry's expansion.

Due to rising demand for cheese-based snacks from the food services industry, South Africa is predicted to dominate the Middle East and African cheese market. Due to the region's easy accessibility and affordable prices for cheese-based snacks, the United Arab Emirates is predicted to dominate the industry. The increased use of various types of cheese-based snacks in restaurants and hotels is expected to result in higher market demand in Saudi Arabia. Spreadable processed cheese is viewed as a cost-effective protein source by consumers in markets farther down the pyramid, like the Middle East and Africa. Pricing, though, is crucial. Vegetable fat is frequently used in place of dairy milk fat by producers to save costs, increase availability in terms of overall quality when stored in harsher ambient temperatures, and maintain acceptable overall quality. Due to its positioning as reduced in salt and a good fit with convenience, processed cheese is a particularly dynamic market. For greater variety, businesses are anticipated to invest in specialised goods like spreadable processed cheese, Edam, and Emmental.

Recently, a transaction was revealed between Mondelez International and European dairy juggernaut Arla Foods over a number of the snacking giant's cheese assets in the Middle East and Africa. On the other side, an agreement (MoU) was reached with the Dutch dairy producer FrieslandCampina to investigate and export cheese to African nations. Domty, an Egyptian manufacturer and marketer of a variety of branded white and processed cheeses and juice products, was founded in 1988. By market share, Domty is the top manufacturer of cheese in the country and a household name. Tens of thousands of retail and commercial consumers, as well as more than 46 export destinations, are served by the company's sales. In addition to the partnership, Domty is aiming to double the amount of mozzarella it can produce each month, from the current 55 tonnes to 60 tonnes.

The companies around the world also start a lot of developments, which propels the market for cheese-based snacks in the Middle East and Africa. Collaboration, product launches, corporate growth, accolades and recognition, joint ventures, and other market participant methods help the company expand its presence in the Middle East and Africa market for cheese-based snacks, which also helps the organization's profit growth.

For instance,
• In November 2020, Mars, Incorporated launched a variety of new confectionery and snacks products under the category Mars Wrigley. The snack product also includes Combos Cheddar Cheese Bacon. The new product launch has helped the company expand its cheese based snacks segment and gain more consumer base
• In July 2021, Rich Products Corporation acquired signature bread, expanding its clean label, preservative-free baked goods portfolio. This acquisition will help the company expand the product portfolio of cheese snacks as well, such as cheesecakes and others, which will increase the company's customer base.

Covid-19 Impacts:
The largest dairy producer in the Middle East, Almarai, decreased its SKUs from 500 to 200 in 2020 during the COVID-19 outbreak as a result of a decline in demand from the foodservice sector for dairy goods including butter and cheese and a rise in consumer concentration on stocking only necessities. Additionally, the epidemic severely disrupted the activities of milk collecting, delivery, processing, and marketing in African nations. Small and unorganised milk processors and collectors encountered transportation limitations, and the lack of cold chain networks caused dairy goods to degrade, which contributed to a rise in the region's cheese production. The shift of Africans in milk production, processing, and marketing activities for income, change in consumer behaviour and growing awareness about vegan cheese are anticipated to boost the demands during the upcoming time frame.

Major Companies present in the market
Mondelez International Group, The Kraft Heinz Company, FrieslandCampina Professional, Arla Food Amba, Savencia Fromage & Dairy, Glanbia Almarai, Bel Group, Parag Milk Foods, Lactalis Group

Considered in this report
• Geography: Middle East & Africa
• Historic year: 2016
• Base year: 2021
• Estimated year: 2022
• Forecast year: 2027

Aspects covered in this report
• Middle East & Africa Cheese market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Country-wise cheese market analysis
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

Countries covered in the report
• UAE
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa

By Product
• Mozzarella
• Cheddar
• Feta
• Parmesan
• Roquefort
• Others

By Source
• Animals
• Plants

By Type
• Natural
• Processed

By Distribution Channel
• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Specialty Stores
• Online retail
• Others

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, analyzing 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 Cheese 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.