With a 4% forecast CAGR from 2017 to 2022, the Middle East and Africa are predicted to outperform world sales, which are expected to see a 2% CAGR. Annual per capita sales in the region remain low, at US$31, corresponding to less than half of the world’s average.

• Saudi Arabia and the UAE: with a modern grocery channel, both countries benefit from wider availability of perishable dairy products. Also, both countries have higher per capita sales for cheese in the Middle East.
• Iran: Among the largest markets, Iran has seen a stagnation of sales.
• Algeria: the affordability of cheese was improved by small portions allowing cheese to be sold individually, as well as by products suitable for non-chilled storage enabling to lower unit prices and target low-income consumers.
• Egypt: Yoghurt and sour milk products have seen strong performance, with a shift from unpackaged to packaged yoghurt helped fuel growth, while drinking yoghurts also saw a rise in popularity.

*Source: Euromonitor International

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• Greater product variety and more convenient products on offer drive yoghurt sales
• Non-dairy milk alternatives are increasingly present, whilst remaining a niche
• Organic products, notably milk, are making gains thanks to wider availability
• Flavoured variants of dairy products
• Dairy products marketed to children, notably cheese and butter, providing solutions for on-the-go consumption and lunchboxes