Saudi Arabia Baby Food Market - Forecasts from 2022 to 2027

The growth is attributable to the rising awareness of nutritional food and the overall diet in Saudi Arabia. Baby food includes fruits, vegetables, and cereals, that promote the overall development of the child. Especially with infants, this food acts as a substitute for breast milk. They are generally used for children from the age group of 6 months to 4 years. They also include baby soup and baby snacks.

Rising awareness regarding a healthy diet drives the baby food market

Owing to the rising awareness regarding the healthy substitute diet for infants, the demand for such baby food has increased in Saudi Arabia in recent times. Market players are developing the product by launching new products into the market to meet the same demand and to provide more new and healthy options. In addition to this, the increase in per capita income has also led to an increase in consumer spending. This led consumers to buy the new products on the market. Baby products are essential for infants, which has piqued the interest of infant parents. Whereas Saudi Arabia has been gradually adapting to the adaptation of westernization during the last few years.

Furthermore, the population of Saudi Arabia will increase in recent years, according to the World Bank data, Saudi Arabia population has increased to 3.48 crores in the year 2020. Additionally, the rising number of working women is one more factor in the increasing demand for baby food. According to the World Bank, the total female labor force participation rate increased to 23.31% in 2019. This is expected to increase in the coming years as the cost of living in Saudi Arabia rises. Hence, an increase in per capita income, changing lifestyles, working women, and an increase in the population, the growth in the baby food market is expected during the forecast period.

Restraints in the baby food market

According to the World Health Organization report, Saudi Arabia's government spends 6.5% of its national income on health. The government promotes breastfeeding in the country owing to its long-lasting health benefits for infants. Provisions such as maternity leaves have also been implemented in Saudi Arabia to provide a greater work-life balance for women. Health professionals in Saudi Arabia also encourage mothers to practice breastfeeding for the nutritional growth of infants. The Health Ministry in 2008 restricted the advertisements of baby food products. This is one of the factors hampering the growth of baby food products.

COVID-19 analysis

Due to the sudden outbreak of the pandemic, many restrictions were imposed on industrial activities, business sectors, travel, and many more. Due to this the supply chain was also disrupted in many industrial sectors. The baby food market was also affected due to the same. Additionally, due to an increase in the rate of unemployment, which is 8.22% in the year 2020 according to the report by the World Bank, consumers have inclined toward cutting down on extra expenses. Due to these factors, the baby food market in Saudi Arabia has slowed down. However, the strategies implemented by the market players and the increasing rate of income are expected to drive the baby food market in upcoming years.

Market Segmentation:

By Type

• Organic baby food
• Conventional baby food

By Product

• Dried baby food
• Milk formula
• Prepared baby food
• Others

By Distribution

• Online
• Offline