Middle East and Africa Plant Based Protein Market Outlook, 2030

The Middle East & Africa plant-based protein market depends heavily on imports from Europe, the United States, and India to meet growing local demand. Regional manufacturers lack domestic protein processing capabilities, especially for isolates and concentrates, leading to reliance on pea, soy, chickpea, and lentil protein shipments. Urban populations in cities like Dubai, Riyadh, Cape Town, and Nairobi are demanding clean-label, allergen-free, and Halal-certified plant protein products. The shift toward health-conscious eating patterns and meat alternatives is most visible in alt-dairy products like oat milk, soy yogurt, and coconut-based protein beverages, as well as protein-enriched ready meals.

UAE and Saudi Arabia lead the launch activity in protein-rich meal kits and snacks, with localized preferences shaping formulations especially gluten-free, non-GMO, and sugar-free variants. Manufacturers in the region commonly use chickpea, fava bean, mung bean, and lentil proteins, which are aligned with local crop availability and taste preferences. Regulatory frameworks from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), Dubai Municipality, and South Africa’s National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) guide protein content labeling, shelf-life standards, and Halal compliance. Technological efforts are emerging slowly. While high-moisture extrusion and enzymatic extraction are being tested, large-scale application is limited by energy costs and low-tech capacity. UAE-based processors are testing cold-pressed and enzyme-based methods to improve protein yield from pulses. In January 2023, Al Islami Foods introduced vegan burgers, further diversifying plant-based offerings in the region. Another milestone was the October 2022 deal between Change Foods and Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi to build an animal-free dairy facility, marking a major commitment to food-tech infrastructure. These steps show how the region is trying to reduce import dependency, though key protein ingredients for mass production still come from firms like Roquette, ADM, and Glanbia. Regional food expos such as Gulfood, Africa’s Big 7, and the Middle East Organic Expo now consistently highlight plant-based innovations.

According to the research report "Middle East and Africa Plant-based Protein Market Outlook, 2030,", the Middle East and Africa Plant-based Protein market is anticipated to grow at more than 6.13% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. The demand for vegan protein drinks, fortified soups, and protein snacks is most visible in countries like UAE, Qatar, South Africa, and Kenya. In April 2022, Cargill expanded its Radipure pea protein range to this region, targeting growing interest in pea-based formulations. Retail chains such as Carrefour Middle East, Lulu Hypermarket, Checkers, and Woolworths have widened their offerings by importing brands like Alpro, Violife, Quorn, and Beyond Meat.

Despite visibility, high prices due to import duties, freight charges, and currency volatility keep plant protein products in a premium category. In South Africa, processors have started developing soybean and sunflower protein units in provinces like Limpopo and Mpumalanga to cut dependence on imports. Innovation is emerging in niche categories, including protein-rich hummus using black chickpeas, oat and almond-based RTD shakes, and energy bites with dates and sesame. These products are gaining traction in affluent neighborhoods and fitness hubs such as Dubai Marina, Cape Town CBD, and Nairobi’s Westlands. In May 2022, Saudi Dairy and Foodstuff Company launched Saudia oat milk, branding it as the country’s first locally made oat beverage. This was followed by Vbites Food Limited’s 2021 launch of nine products across 90 Spinneys and Waitrose stores in the UAE, significantly expanding local access to vegan options. Another boost came from Danone’s 2021 acquisition of US-based Earth Island, helping the company bring its plant-based Follow Your Heart brand to Middle Eastern consumers. Startups like Kind Lyfe, which debuted in 2021 in the UAE, continue adding to this momentum with new protein-rich snacks and dairy alternatives.

Market Drivers
- Rising Demand for Clean-Label and Halal-Certified Nutrition:Middle Eastern consumers especially in UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar actively seek clean-label and Halal-compliant plant-based protein foods. Religious dietary laws directly influence purchase behavior, pushing manufacturers to source Halal-certified ingredients and undergo certification from bodies like SFDA (Saudi Food and Drug Authority) and ESMA (Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology). This driver also links with growing lifestyle diseases in urban Gulf populations and interest in protein-rich diets, especially among younger, health-conscious consumers.
- Government Push for Domestic Food Manufacturing and Import Substitution:Due to heavy reliance on imported food products, governments across MEA are investing in local processing capacity. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy aim to boost food manufacturing infrastructure. In South Africa, local players are exploring soy and sunflower-based protein extraction units. This initiative helps reduce costs tied to international shipping, tariffs, and currency volatility, especially for raw materials sourced from Europe, India, and the US.
Market Challenges
- High Import Dependency and Cost Pressures:Most plant-based protein isolates and concentrates soy, pea, rice are still imported into MEA, especially for specialized applications like meat analogues or nutritional supplements. Import duties, cold-chain logistics, and packaging constraints increase end-product prices. Countries like Kenya, Nigeria, and Jordan struggle to scale up processing infrastructure, keeping local production low and pricing non-competitive against animal proteins.
- Consumer Mistrust and Limited Awareness Beyond Urban Areas:Outside metro regions, many consumers associate plant-based food with "foreign," elite, or vegan-only lifestyles. Lack of consumer education, cultural preferences for traditional meat-heavy diets, and low exposure to alternative proteins act as major roadblocks. Messaging and branding often fail to connect with mass consumers, especially where product labels are in English or French and not Arabic or indigenous languages.
Market Trends
- Innovation in Middle Eastern Flavored Protein Products:Food start-ups and global brands are customizing plant-based proteins with regional flavors. Chickpea-based protein hummus, fava-bean falafel, protein-fortified tahini dips, and Halal-certified RTD protein shakes are gaining traction in UAE and Saudi Arabia. Gulfood and Middle East Organic Natural Product Expo frequently showcase such innovations, appealing to both expats and locals.
- Retail Expansion and E-Commerce Availability:Retailers such as Lulu, Carrefour Middle East, Checkers (South Africa), and Spinneys are increasing shelf space for vegan, protein-rich foods. Many list imported brands like Alpro, Oatly, and Beyond Meat. In parallel, online health stores and e-commerce platforms are expanding delivery reach, making products accessible in second-tier cities across Oman, Egypt, and Nigeria.
Soya protein dominates due to its affordability, familiarity, and established halal supply chains.

In the Middle East and Africa, soya protein enjoys the top spot in plant-based protein markets because it fits both local price points and dietary preferences. Importers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and South Africa have relied on bulk soybean imports from Brazil, India, and the US for over a decade, making the ingredient widely available. Its adaptability allows manufacturers to use soya in plant-based meat, dairy alternatives, and bakery protein blends. Local producers often select soya for processed foods because it carries a complete amino acid profile, works well with Middle Eastern spice blends, and delivers high protein content per cost. Many soya products also hold halal certifications, which supports demand in Islamic countries.

Government-approved importers bring in soya protein concentrates and isolates to supply brands across foodservice and retail. In South Africa, soya is now cultivated domestically and processed for textured vegetable protein (TVP), used in affordable frozen meals and meal kits. In the Gulf region, soya-based mock meats and protein beverages dominate retail shelves, especially in supermarkets like Carrefour and Lulu. Food tech startups from Israel and the UAE have also invested in soya fermentation for dairy-free yogurt and protein-rich dips. In North African nations like Morocco and Egypt, soya is promoted in protein fortification campaigns for children and elderly diets. Due to economic instability in parts of Africa, soya becomes a staple in protein enrichment programs and school meal schemes. Its long-standing use in both traditional and modern diets gives it an edge over pea, rice, or lentil proteins. The supply chain for soya protein is also more structured, with traceability from global exporters and regulatory compliance in major import markets.

Supplement and nutritional applications lead due to rising gym culture, athlete demand, and health trends among urban populations.

In cities like Dubai, Riyadh, Johannesburg, and Nairobi, plant-based protein supplements have become essential for gym-goers, athletes, and the health-conscious middle class. The rise of fitness studios, personal training apps, and health-focused retail has driven brands to stock protein powders, shakes, bars, and ready-to-drink supplements. Younger adults and expats actively seek clean-label, dairy-free, and halal-certified options, which places plant-based proteins like soy, pea, and rice at the center of nutritional product launches. International brands like MyProtein, Garden of Life, Orgain, and local MEA startups have launched protein supplements across e-commerce and modern trade.

In UAE and Saudi Arabia, whey protein faced a backlash among vegan and lactose-intolerant users, creating a strong demand gap filled by plant-based blends. Retailers like BinSina, Checkers, Dis-Chem, and Greenheart UAE stock a variety of single-source and blended plant protein powders for muscle building, endurance, and meal replacement. Gym partnerships and influencer-led wellness campaigns have further boosted visibility. In South Africa, plant-based supplements target diabetics and aging populations seeking cholesterol-free nutrition. In Nigeria and Kenya, NGOs and health missions promote plant protein powders for malnutrition and immune support. Local innovations like chickpea-based recovery drinks, lentil-protein mixes, and moringa-added shakes have expanded regional portfolios. Events like Gulfood and Africa’s Big 7 showcase new functional protein launches annually, with a sharp focus on sport, energy, and wellness. Clinical and therapeutic nutrition brands also use plant proteins in prenatal supplements and pediatric formulas. Despite high pricing, the demand stays strong due to rising awareness about plant-based benefits and a shift away from synthetic protein isolates. With regulatory support from the SFDA, Dubai Municipality, and NRCS, nutritional products with plant proteins now meet regional labeling and health claim standards.

Isolate protein is the fastest-growing form due to clean-label preferences, low-carb fitness trends, and export-grade product demand.
Protein isolates have seen a surge in popularity across Middle East and African markets because of their purity, digestibility, and appeal among fitness-focused and medically aware consumers. Unlike concentrates or textured protein formats, isolates offer over 85% protein content with minimal fat or carbohydrates, which makes them ideal for low-calorie diets, diabetic nutrition, and high-performance recovery products. Consumers in UAE, Qatar, and South Africa now actively check nutritional labels for “isolate” due to their understanding of cleaner, faster-absorbing formulas. With rising rates of obesity and lifestyle diseases in Gulf nations, isolates are now used in hospital diets, clinical nutrition, and prenatal supplements.

Manufacturers favor isolates for their solubility and neutral taste, making them suitable for RTD shakes, protein waters, and functional beverages. In Saudi Arabia, product launches include pea protein isolate in protein snacks and chickpea isolate in sugar-free cookies and high-fiber meals. E-commerce platforms like iHerb, Noon, and Takealot stock isolate-based powders with international formulations, appealing to both locals and expats. In North Africa, companies import isolates for use in meal replacement sachets and export-grade products for Europe and Asia. Clean-label requirements under Dubai Municipality and South Africa’s NRCS favor isolate formats due to their ability to meet nutrient thresholds without additives. Isolates also allow blending with other bioactive ingredients like ashwagandha, turmeric, or green tea for functional wellness. Several UAE-based sports nutrition startups now develop isolate-based vegan blends targeted at runners, gym athletes, and fasting-friendly populations during Ramadan. Pricing is higher, but isolates justify their cost through perceived health value and performance benefits.

Saudi Arabia leads the Middle East and Africa plant-based protein market due to high domestic demand for functional foods, rapid product innovation, and strong regulatory infrastructure supporting health-based imports.

Saudi Arabia dominates the plant-based protein market in the Middle East and Africa because of its fast-changing consumer patterns, import-driven supply chains, and regulatory clarity in health and nutrition categories. Over the last five years, demand for plant-based protein products has expanded across urban clusters like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, driven by rising obesity, diabetes, and lifestyle-related disorders. Young Saudi consumers and health-aware expats are shifting towards vegan protein powders, ready-to-drink shakes, protein bars, and clean-label meal replacement products, creating pull for both domestic and imported plant-based options.

Despite limited agricultural output for raw ingredients like soy, peas, or lentils, the country has relied on structured import pipelines from Europe, India, and North America. Foodservice chains and premium retail formats such as Tamimi, Danube, and Carrefour stock high-priced products under global brands like Garden of Life, MyProtein, Orgain, and Nutiva, which cater to gym-goers, athletes, and women under wellness-focused marketing. Government regulations through the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) help standardize product labeling, Halal certifications, and allergen disclosures, enabling smoother market entry for international protein ingredients. Domestic food-tech firms have started collaborating with global players to develop plant-based protein snacks, beverages, and baking mixes tailored to the GCC diet. Additionally, major Saudi investors and holding companies have begun injecting capital into health food startups, especially in sectors like sports nutrition, plant-based dairy, and clean snacking, further accelerating market visibility. Public campaigns promoting nutrition, such as “Healthy Food Strategy” under Vision 2030, are shaping demand in schools, hospitals, and corporate catering. Events like Saudi Food Expo and Global Health Exhibition showcase protein-rich, meat-alternative, and functional food brands, attracting regional B2B buyers.