Middle East

FN+

Iran conflict: food sector’s 8 biggest casualties

Impacts from the Iran conflict have rippled across the global food system, with disruption taking an overall toll on food security and supply chains

Agthia’s ‘world-first dates energy drink’ targets category shake-up

United Arab Emirates (UAE) based Agthia has entered the energy drink category with a world-first invention, attempting to appeal to a modern audience with a major regional ingredient: dates

Middle East Focus: WALOVI Saudi growth, ASEAN halal and Calbee packs

WALOVI Saudi growth, ASEAN halal and Calbee packs feature in this edition of Middle East Focus

UAE’s Nutri-Mark nutrition labelling system goes digital

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has launched an app to bring its national nutritional labelling system to the next level

聚焦中东：土耳其肉类消费、伊朗冲突与韩食动向等

本期“聚焦中东”重点关注土耳其肉类消费、伊朗冲突与韩食动向等专题报道

Iran-US peace deal: What it means for food

The deal includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz

Global Food Tech Awards

Global Food Tech Awards EMEA heat opens: Why startups should apply and how to stand out

Calling all EMEA food and beverage startups - applications are now open and entry is free

Snack trends: Nutrient-dense grazing hitting its stride

Snack brands are targeting fluid eating occasions with products that deliver nutrition in smaller portable formats, aligning with healthier snacking trends to suit busier lifestyles

Middle East Focus: Turkish meat consumption, Iran conflict and K-Food

Turkish meat consumption, Iran conflict and K-Food feature in this edition of Middle East Focus

WALOVI taps food-as-medicine trend to grow in Saudi and beyond

China’s WALOVI is seeking growth globally in markets from the Middle East to Africa for its traditional herbal teas

聚焦中东：巴西莓品牌 SAMBAZON、伊朗冲突与沙特食品欺诈

本期“聚焦中东”重点关注巴西莓品牌 SAMBAZON、伊朗冲突以及沙特食品欺诈

FHA 2026

FN+

ASEAN poised as next halal growth market amid Middle East turmoil

South East Asia has all the parts in place to emerge as the key halal growth market for food amid the Middle East conflict — but will the region be able to grasp this opportunity?

中東フォーカス：SAMBAZONのアサイー、イラン紛争、サウジアラビアの食品不正問題

今月のMiddle East Focusでは、SAMBAZONのアサイー、イラン情勢、サウジアラビアの食品不正問題を取り上げています

スタートアップ スポットライト： Plaquette、Vicky en France、Morus

今月のStart-up Spotlightでは、プラケット、ヴィッキー・アン・フランス、モラス Plaquette、Vicky en France、Morusなどを取り上げています

FHA 2026

FN+

Taiwan courts overseas halal food markets with culture, health benefits

Taiwan’s halal brands are leveraging health messaging and cultural appeal to attract overseas consumers from Asia Pacific and the Middle East

Middle East Focus: SAMBAZON acai, Iran conflict and Saudi food fraud

SAMBAZON acai, Iran conflict and Saudi food fraud feature in this edition of Middle East Focus

Men more likely than women to justify meat-eating, Turkish study finds

Men shaped by traditional masculine norms are more likely to justify meat-eating, a finding researchers say could inform targeted efforts to reduce consumption

K Food exports set to take major hit after losing Middle East growth

South Korea’s K Food export growth momentum face a sharp slowdown as the Middle East — its key growth engine — weakens from the US-Iran conflict

聚焦中东：Hunter Foods 辣味薯片、海湾出口产品与抹茶鸡块

本期“聚焦中东”包含 Hunter Foods 辣味薯片、海湾出口产品与抹茶鸡块。

Iran conflict: The 5 biggest pressure points for food and beverage

The price of oil and transport dominates headlines: but food and beverage companies need to anticipate other potential impacts

ミドルイースト フォーカス：Hunter Foodsのスパイシーチップス、湾岸諸国への輸出、抹茶ナゲット

今回のMiddle East Focusは、Hunter Foodsのチリ愛好家のためのスパイシーチップス、変わる湾岸諸国への輸出、抹茶ナゲットを取り上げています.

FN+

Iran conflict: Is ceasefire too little, too late for global food?

A two-week ceasefire is now in place in the war between US-Israel and Iran, but much is still uncertain about how long-lasting the impacts of damage done thus far will be and what still lies ahead for the global food sector

FN+

Bite-sized dairy: Award-winning Belgian candy butter eyes global stage

Belgian butter firm Plaquette has big ambitions for its bite-sized ‘candy’ butters

Gulfood 2026

FN+

Açai leader SAMBAZON eyes Japan, Middle East to drive next growth phase

World’s largest açaí brand SAMBAZON is building on rapid growth in Japan and the Middle East to establish açaí as a lifestyle in the region

Middle East Focus: Hunter Foods spicy chips, Gulf exports and matcha nuggets

Hunter Foods spicy chips, Gulf exports and matcha nuggets feature in this edition of Middle East Focus

聚焦中东：主要食品市场、阿联酋饮食习惯和游戏化

本期聚焦主要食品市场、阿联酋饮食结构与游戏化等精彩内容

Japanese crisps hit by Iran conflict

The Middle East fuel shock has forced a Japanese snack maker to halt production, exposing how quickly energy disruption can ripple through the wider food system

Abundant coffee crops; consumer wobbles and the Iran conflict: Another shake-up for coffee prices?

Coffee prices had finally started declining: but what’s next?

FN+

Iran at war: What food and beverage needs to know

Israel and US attacks on Iran have long-lasting implications for global food and drink industries. Here’s the latest

中東フォーカス：主要食品市場、UAEの食生活、ゲーミフィケーション

今月のMiddle East Focusでは、主要食品市場、UAEの食生活、ゲーミフィケーションを取り上げています。

Opinion

Middle East turmoil exposes dairy to new challenges

No one expected plain sailing in 2026 – but a fresh conflict in the Gulf introduces new variables

FN+

Bakery, snacks and cereals: The next cost shock may start in the Gulf

Geopolitics rarely stays confined to energy markets. Sooner or later, it reaches the food system

FN+

Saudi introduces tougher controls to prevent food fortification fraud

New Saudi regulations tighten control of nutritional claims to curb food fortification fraud and protect consumers

FN+

Iran Conflict: What does this mean for global food sector?

The ongoing tensions in Iran could disrupt supply routes and drive volatility across key food commodities such as rice and meat

FN+

Flavour feature: Scallion in the spotlight for ‘modern savoury’ appeal

Ingredients giant Kerry has spotlighted scallion as a ‘hero’ flavour amid strong focus on wellness and tradition in its 2026 Taste Charts

Why familiarity drives texture acceptance in food and drink

Consumers are more receptive to new food and drink products when textures reflect familiar eating experiences

Middle East Focus: Top food markets, UAE diets and gamification

Top food markets, UAE diets and gamification feature in this edition of Middle East Focus

Gulfood 2026

Hunter Foods’ spicy chips bring extra heat to Middle East chilli lovers

Snacking giant Hunter Foods has launched a range of new snacks meant for ‘true chilli lovers’ in the Middle East, bringing more bold heat and flavour to the region

What is yerba mate and why is this natural energiser going global?

Yerba mate is breaking out from its South American roots, fuelled by soaring exports, innovation and booming global demand for natural energy beverages

New product development

What’s hot in confectionery? Nestlé Easter, KitKat Cookie, POLO, and more…

Major players are leaning into texture, premium gifting and flavour crossovers, while challenger brands continue to push sustainability and plant‑based credentials

Estonia’s Middle East playbook: Key insights for food exporters to the Gulf

Estonia is tapping healthier food trends and grain-based product demands to further its ‘Northern Standard’ approach in the region

Africa’s dual bakery market surges as bread demand rapidly rises

Industrial and informal bakeries across Africa are expanding and adapting fast as bread solidifies its position as a critical, high‑volume breakfast staple

Top functional ingredients shaping food & drink in 2026

Protein, fibre, nootropics and antioxidants are emerging as key functional ingredients shaping food and drink innovation as wellness continues to steer buying decisions

聚焦中东：清真标准统一、沙特 Nutri-Score 及更多动态

本期内容涵盖中东地区清真标准统一化进程、沙特 Nutri-Score 营养标签，以及区域市场其他动态

Gulfood 2026

Farm Fresh redefines healthy snacking with matcha chicken nuggets

UAE-based Farm Fresh has taken the concept of functional snacking to a new level with its matcha-infused chicken nuggets, blending flavour and function with novelty

Middle East Focus: Halal harmonisation, Saudi Nutri-Score and more

Halal harmonisation, Saudi Nutri-Score and more feature in this edition of Middle East Focus

Which Middle East markets are leading food and beverage sales?

The Middle Eastern food industry is booming, with billions of dollars of growth expected over the next decade

Youth engagement and gamification drive APAC & ME packaging trends

Brands are embracing connected packaging, using youth-focused, gamified strategies in Asia Pacific and the Middle East

UAE government survey flags high salt, low vitamin D in local diets

New UAE data has shown excess salt consumption and poor vitamin D levels, findings set to guide national reformulation and health initiatives

聚焦印度：联合利华印度业务、本地超加工食品消费等行业动态

本期重点关注联合利华印度业务、本地超加工食品消费等行业动态。