MENA a growing market for baby food

High birth rates and the changing role of women are factors for the increase in demand for baby food in the Middle East and North Africa, according to the market research, Middle East and North Africa Baby Food Industry Outlook to 2017 – Led by Changing Lifestyles and Increased Working Women Population.

Amongst leading markets are Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Israel and United Arab Emirates. In terms of segments, infant milk formula accounted for the largest share, followed by dried baby food.

In the KSA, a high birth rate of 19.2 births per 1,000 people was noted in 2012 and more women have also joined the workforce. Here, packaged baby food has become the convenient solution. According to the report, milk or infant formula contributes the highest revenue, even as breastfeeding remains a strong tradition.

In Israel, urbanisation, higher income levels and more working women all contribute to increasing demand for all types of baby food. The same factors are driving demand for baby food in the UAE and Qatar, while in Egypt, price is an issue, with only the upper and middle classes being able to afford baby food.

Morocco is undergoing changes in consumer lifestyle, and its growing population will propel demand for baby food. Algeria will also see a boom in baby food market in the next five years as more parents seeks better nutrition for their children.

Click here to access report.