Report Overview
Saudi Arabia meat market is expected to grow rapidly due to the increasing demand for high protein food due to their health benefits, along with a changing consumption pattern and flourishing tourism sector in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia Meat Market- Industry Trends & Forecast Report 2027
The Saudi Arabia meat market is reflecting robust expansion and estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period. The market is growing at a high rate because of the growing demand for high protein food due to their health benefits, along with changing consumption patterns and the flourishing tourism sector in the country. Furthermore, the increasing halal meat certification and imports are expected to boost the Saudi Arabia meat market during the forecast period.
Saudi Arabia Meat Market- Overview
?Meat', in general, refers to animal flesh that is meant for human consumption. Meat is an important source of nutrients that offer proteins, zinc, iron, selenium, phosphorus, vitamin A and B-complex vitamins. There are many types of meat available in Saudi Arabia, such as red meat, which includes beef, goat, lamb; poultry meat, which includes chicken and turkey; and seafood meat, which includes fish, crab, lobster, etc. Among these types, chicken and lamb are the most popular meat in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia Meat Market Forecast and Trends
Growth Drivers
Growing Demand For Seafood
The increasing demand for seafood in Saudi Arabia is anticipated to present lucrative growth opportunities to the meat market. Because Saudi Arabia is surrounded by the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, seafood has always been a large part of their diet. Moreover, as an increasingly young population adopts new lifestyles and the social and economic scene of the country changes, the demand for seafood has risen over the years. Because seafood has significant growth potential in Saudi Arabia, the authorities are promoting fisheries and aquaculture, propelling the overall market growth.
Increasing Import Activities For Meat
In Saudi Arabia, meat consumption is very high, so much so that the country sometimes does not produce enough meat to meet domestic demand. As a result, meat imports are on the rise, providing growth opportunities for the global players. The Saudi Arabia meat market is already booming with leading meat importers with India, France, the US, Argentina being the bigger suppliers for beef. The demand for meat is so strong and is increasing at such a high rate that chicken and sheep are among the most imported food commodities in Saudi Arabia.
Restraints
Stringent Government Regulations For Meat
The Saudi government is very strict regarding the meat imported and circulated in the country. Islamic law mandates stringent halal certifications, and getting the certification is a complicated process. This acts as a major hindrance to market growth. In addition, Saudi Arabia recently banned poultry imports from Brazil, which, according to estimates, would boost domestic production. Such drastic measures may prevent new global players from entering the market, and ultimately restrain the market.
Impact of COVID-19 on Saudi Arabia Meat Market
The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak negatively affected the growth of the Saudi Arabia meat market. This is because of the temporary shutdown of the butcher shops, slaughterhouses, and the unavailability of meat products in supermarkets/hypermarkets due to restrictions on supply chains. Furthermore, increasing awareness and risk of the spread of zoonotic diseases also restricted the demand for meat in Saudi Arabia, incurring huge losses, especially to the local suppliers. This trend of low demand for meat is expected to prevail in the post-COVID-19 period as well.
Saudi Arabia Meat Market - By Type
Based on types, the Saudi Arabia meat market is segmented into red meat, poultry, and seafood. The poultry meat segment holds the largest market share. The consumption of chicken and lamb is highly prominent in Saudi Arabia. Although red meat is also popular, its consumption is rare compared to other types. However, the seafood segment is projected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Saudi Arabia is expected to hold great potential for growing the seafood market with increasing local consumption.
Saudi Arabia Meat Market - By Product type
Based on product types, the Saudi Arabia meat market is segmented into fresh, chilled, and frozen. Among these, the fresh meat segment accounts for the largest market share. The high number of butcher shops and slaughterhouses in the region makes fresh meat accessible to large number of consumers. However, the frozen food segment is projected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period. The longer shelf life of frozen meat and changing consumption patterns due to the increasing workforce are directly influencing the growth of this segment.
Saudi Arabia Meat Market - By Distribution Channel
Based on the distribution channel, the Saudi Arabia meat market is segmented into on-trade and off-trade. The off-trade segment is further classified into supermarkets/hypermarkets, specialty stores, online stores, and others. Specialty stores account for the largest market share because of the availability of fresh and price-friendly meat in these stores. Consumers are inclined towards trusted meat sources, which is why they tend to buy from certain specialty stores only. Furthermore, the presence of a high number of slaughterhouses and their tie-ups with specialty stores to trade fresh meat also favors the market growth.
Competitive Landscape
The leading market players in the Saudi Arabia meat market are Grobat, Othaim Markets Company, Shahia Factory, Yousif H Al Shihab Trading Est., CATCOOT COMPANY, Ali Jalal, Alsilani Trading Co, ARASCO FOODS, Alsalamah Almotatawera Co., Halwani Bros, Skot Trading, and other prominent players.
The market is highly fragmented, with the presence of various industry participants. The perominent industry players offer a wide range of halal-certified meat products for both businesses, such as restaurants and final consumers. The competition is expected to rise during the forecast period as companies from other companies are increasingly entering the market to target the potential consumer base.
Recent Developments
In September 2021, the Organic Meat Company Ltd. (TOMCL), a Pakistan-based meat processing company, announced to have received a USD 1 million contract to supply frozen meat to Saudi Arabia.
By Type
Red Meat
Beef
Goat
Lamb
Poultry
Chicken
Turkey
Seafood
Fish
Crab
Lobster
Others
By Product Type
Fresh
Chilled
Frozen
By Distribution Channel
On-Trade
Off-Trade
Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
Speciality Stores
Online Stores
Others