Keeping it cool: the Middle East’s ice-cream market 

Keeping it cool: the Middle East’s ice-cream market 

ice-cream

In light of National Ice Cream Day on July 21, we enjoy a little taste of the Middle East’s ice-cream market.  

Recent reports by Mordor Intelligence, Euromonitor International, and Arizton value the MEA’s ice-cream market at USD 80.61 billion in 2023. It is anticipated to grow steadily at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.41percent from 2024 to 2029.

Furthermore, the Middle East leads globally in ice-cream consumption, with annual consumption exceeding 1.5 billion liters. Saudi Arabia leads with an estimated annual intake of over 500 million liters. The UAE follows closely, consuming more than 300 million liters per year.

Looking at the broader frozen desserts market, the Middle East and Africa combined reached USD 1.62 billion in 2022. Analysts expect this market segment to grow steadily, projecting a CAGR of 2.2 percent and aiming for USD 1.85 billion by 2028.

Factors driving the Middle East ice-cream market’s expansion include the adoption of Western food trends and increasing demand for premium and exotic flavors. These trends will contribute to a robust CAGR of over 4 percent from 2024 to 2029.

In summary, the Middle East ice-cream market is sizable and rapidly growing, driven by high per capita consumption, especially in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Rising disposable incomes, tourism growth, and consumer demand for innovative ice cream products will drive continued expansion.

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About author

Rita Ghantous

Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector. Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC). She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book. She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter. Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler. It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.

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