Middle East and Africa Agriculture Films Market Outlook, 2030

The agricultural films market in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) is witnessing steady growth, driven by changing agricultural practices, urbanization, and technological advancements. Traditional farming methods are gradually being replaced by modern techniques, including the use of agricultural films such as mulch, greenhouse, silage, and tunnel films, which enhance crop yields by retaining soil moisture, regulating temperature, and protecting against pests and diseases. Countries like South Africa, Ghana, and Saudi Arabia are increasingly adopting these films to boost productivity and ensure food security.

Urbanization in the region is reducing available arable land, making controlled-environment agriculture more essential, and agricultural films are crucial for maximizing output in limited spaces. Greenhouse farming, particularly in Saudi Arabia, is growing as these films enable year-round crop production, ensuring a steady food supply in urban areas. Innovations in the market are focused on sustainability and efficiency, with biodegradable films emerging as eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastics, reducing soil pollution and eliminating the need for post-harvest film removal. Multi-layered films with UV resistance and thermal stability are also improving crop protection and yield.

On the regulatory front, governments in the MEA region are implementing policies to encourage the use of biodegradable and recyclable films, and certification standards are being developed to ensure quality and environmental compliance. However, challenges remain in enforcement and adoption, especially in rural areas where infrastructure and awareness are limited.

According to the research report "Middle East and Africa Agriculture Films Market Outlook, 2030,", the Middle East and Africa Agriculture Films market is anticipated to grow at more than 7.16% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. The region's arid climate and water scarcity further fuel demand for films that conserve soil moisture, reduce evaporation, and suppress weed growth, making water-efficient farming more feasible. Technological innovations, including biodegradable films and multi-layered films with UV resistance and thermal stability, are attracting investment and facilitating sustainable agriculture practices.

Government support and policy initiatives also play a key role, with incentives and subsidies encouraging the use of eco-friendly agricultural films and promoting wider adoption among farmers. The market offers numerous opportunities, highlighted by events and conferences such as Agra Middle East, which serve as platforms for knowledge sharing, networking, and showcasing the latest advancements in agricultural technology. Interesting market trends include the rapid growth of the mulch film segment due to its effectiveness in improving soil efficiency and water management, the dominance of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) as a raw material, and the increasing adoption of biodegradable plastics as environmentally friendly alternatives.

These factors collectively underscore the region's potential for market expansion, with agricultural films serving as a critical tool in addressing challenges posed by urbanization, climate change, and sustainability requirements, while also creating avenues for innovation, investment, and industry collaboration. In October 2023, Armando Alvarez Group and RedSea signed an exclusive collaboration agreement for creating and distributing new smart greenhouse covers. These new greenhouse covers use the advanced Iyris technology created by RedSea to control greenhouse temperature. The technology is integrated into the 100% recyclable covers made by the Armando Alvarez Group, conserving water and energy while enhancing harvest yield in hot regions.

Market Drivers

• Expansion of Greenhouse and Protected Agriculture: Due to harsh climatic conditions, including high temperatures, low rainfall, and arid soil, farmers in the MEA region increasingly rely on greenhouse and tunnel farming. Agricultural films are essential for regulating temperature, humidity, and light, which ensures crop protection and enhanced yields. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt are investing heavily in controlled-environment agriculture, driving strong demand for high-performance films.
• Government Initiatives and Support Programs: Governments in the MEA region are promoting modern agricultural practices through subsidies, grants, and technical support for greenhouse development and irrigation efficiency. Initiatives focused on food security and sustainable agriculture encourage the use of mulching films, greenhouse covers, and silage films. This support reduces financial barriers for farmers and promotes the adoption of advanced agricultural films.

Market Challenges

• High Cost of Advanced Films: While films with multi-layer structures, UV stabilization, and biodegradable properties offer better performance, they are expensive. The high upfront cost can limit adoption, especially for small-scale farmers in the region. This challenge is compounded by budget constraints and the need to invest in additional infrastructure for greenhouse farming.
• Limited Recycling and Waste Management Infrastructure: The lack of proper recycling and waste management facilities in many parts of MEA hinders the adoption of recyclable and biodegradable films. Improper disposal of used films can lead to environmental concerns, discouraging large-scale use of sustainable alternatives despite regulatory and social pressure.

Market Trends

• Growing Adoption of Biodegradable and Recyclable Films: Environmental awareness and regulations are gradually pushing farmers toward biodegradable and recyclable films. Eco-friendly mulching, greenhouse, and silage films are gaining traction, particularly in countries with stricter environmental policies. This trend reflects the regional shift toward sustainable agricultural practices.
• Integration of Advanced Film Technologies: There is a rising trend of using films with specialized features, such as anti-drip, anti-fog, light-diffusing, and UV-stabilized properties, to improve crop yield and quality. Multi-layer and co-extruded films are becoming more common, especially in high-value crops and greenhouse applications. The trend aligns with the adoption of modern, technology-driven agriculture in the region.

LDPE is the fastest-growing material in the MEA agricultural films industry due to its superior flexibility, durability, and cost-effectiveness, which make it ideal for a wide range of applications in harsh climatic conditions.

The rapid adoption of LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) in the MEA (Middle East and Africa) agricultural films market is driven by a combination of functional, economic, and environmental factors that align with the region’s unique agricultural demands. LDPE is highly valued for its exceptional flexibility, toughness, and resistance to tearing, which ensures long-lasting performance even under extreme weather conditions commonly seen in MEA countries, such as high temperatures, intense sunlight, and variable wind patterns. This makes it particularly suitable for applications like greenhouse covers, mulching films, silage films, and irrigation covers, which are critical to improving crop yield and protecting produce.

Additionally, LDPE films offer excellent light transmission properties, allowing for optimal photosynthesis in greenhouse applications and better soil temperature control for mulching. This enhances the efficiency of water usage and fertilization, which is crucial in arid and semi-arid regions where water scarcity is a pressing concern. The material’s chemical resistance further ensures that it can withstand exposure to fertilizers, pesticides, and other agricultural chemicals without degradation, maintaining its protective qualities throughout the crop cycle.

From an economic perspective, LDPE is more affordable compared to alternatives like EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) or EBA (Ethylene Butyl Acrylate), enabling widespread adoption among small- and medium-scale farmers in MEA. Its relatively low production and processing costs, combined with high performance, make it a preferred choice for large-scale agricultural operations seeking cost-efficient solutions.

Mulching is the largest application in the MEA agricultural films industry because it significantly improves soil moisture retention, temperature regulation, and weed control, which are critical for maximizing crop yields in arid and semi-arid climates.

The dominance of mulching applications in the MEA (Middle East and Africa) agricultural films market is largely driven by the region’s climatic and agricultural conditions, where water scarcity, high temperatures, and soil degradation pose significant challenges to crop productivity. Mulching films, primarily made from materials such as LDPE, provide an effective barrier that reduces evaporation, retains soil moisture, and minimizes water loss, which is essential in areas where irrigation is limited and water management is a critical concern. By conserving moisture, these films help crops survive prolonged dry spells, ensuring consistent growth and higher yields, which is a top priority for farmers in MEA countries.

Beyond water retention, mulching films play a vital role in regulating soil temperature. In regions with extreme heat, they prevent excessive soil warming during the day while maintaining adequate warmth at night, creating a more stable microenvironment for plant roots. This leads to enhanced germination rates, faster growth, and improved fruit and vegetable quality.

Additionally, mulching films suppress weed growth by blocking sunlight, reducing the competition for nutrients, water, and space. This contributes to healthier crops and reduces the reliance on herbicides, aligning with the growing interest in sustainable and eco-friendly farming practices in the region. The economic advantages of mulching also drive its adoption.

By increasing crop yields and reducing water and labor costs associated with irrigation and weeding, mulching films offer a high return on investment, especially for farmers operating on tight budgets or in large-scale commercial farms. The availability of affordable LDPE and other polymer-based films further accelerates this adoption, as these materials are durable, flexible, and compatible with various farming techniques used in MEA.

Saudi Arabia is leading the MEA agriculture films industry due to its adoption of advanced farming technologies, large-scale greenhouse and controlled-environment agriculture, and government initiatives promoting sustainable and high-yield crop production in arid regions.

Saudi Arabia has emerged as the leading market for agriculture films in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, primarily driven by the country’s focus on modern, high-efficiency agricultural practices and the need to maximize crop productivity in its challenging arid climate. Agriculture in Saudi Arabia faces significant environmental constraints, including limited arable land, high temperatures, low rainfall, and scarce water resources.

To overcome these challenges, the country has invested heavily in advanced farming techniques, particularly greenhouse cultivation, hydroponics, and controlled-environment agriculture, all of which rely extensively on agriculture films such as greenhouse covers, mulch films, silage films, and protective row covers. These films help regulate soil and ambient temperatures, conserve water, protect crops from pests and extreme weather, and extend growing seasons, making them indispensable for sustainable and efficient crop production. The widespread adoption of greenhouse and controlled-environment agriculture is a key factor driving Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the MEA agriculture films market.

The country has developed modern agricultural infrastructure to produce high-value crops such as fruits, vegetables, and flowers, which require consistent protection and precise environmental control. Greenhouse films, in particular, are widely used to create optimal growth conditions, enhance yield quality, and enable year-round cultivation despite the region’s harsh climatic conditions.

Mulch films and other protective films are also employed in open-field cultivation to retain soil moisture, reduce evaporation, and prevent nutrient loss, which is critical given the scarcity of water resources. Government support has further strengthened the adoption of agriculture films. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative emphasizes food security, sustainable agriculture, and the efficient use of natural resources, leading to subsidies, incentives, and technical programs that encourage farmers to adopt innovative farming solutions.

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