Saudi Arabia: Demand for Gluten-Free Food on The Rise

Saudi Arabia: Demand for Gluten-Free Food on The Rise

Gluten-free food market in the region is projected to grow more than 9 percent per annum until 2025 The gluten-free food market in the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries was worth about $140 million in 2019, with Saudi Arabia accounting for 45 percent of the total, according to a recent study by market research and consulting company TechSci. Gluten is a protein found in many grains, including wheat, barley and rye. It is common in bakery products, baby food, pasta and ready-meal products. Gluten has no essential nutrients and causes harmful conditions such as celiac disease and gluten intolerance. As a result, there has been increased growth in gluten-free food products in the GCC market. According to the TechSci report, the gluten-free food market in the region is projected to grow more than 9 percent per annum until 2025. The study found that pasta and ready meals held the majority of the market share, at about 57 percent. In Saudi Arabia, about 0. 64 percent of the population suffers from issues related to celiac disease, which is mainly caused by the consumption of gluten. People are becoming more aware of the disease, creating higher demand for gluten-free food products.