The Middle East is becoming a hotspot for plant-based food, with interest in meat and dairy alternatives growing at a fast pace, particularly since the pandemic.
Sales of processed meat and dairy products are already relatively low in the region, and with obesity on the rise, plant-based foods are increasingly perceived as healthier options. Awareness of environmental and animal welfare issues is also growing, though it remains fairly low.
As a result, meat and dairy alternatives are increasingly present on supermarket shelves, and many restaurants are offering vegan options. Currently, most plant-based products on offer are imported, but this is beginning to change.
Plant-based eating is particularly prominent in Israel, which is believed to have one of the largest vegan populations (as a percentage) of any country worldwide. The nation is home to numerous alt protein startups (such as Aleph Farms, Remilk, and YO-Egg), and has good relations with the UAE; this could lead to the sharing of food tech knowledge between the two countries.
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