We’re still buzzing from the incredible time  we had at the Natural Organic Products event in London, and we couldn’t wait to share all the exciting highlights and top trends from the show with you.

Our time at the event was nothing short of amazing. We had the pleasure of meeting with both existing and new clients, forging stronger relationships and exploring new opportunities together. Partnering once again with the event organisers, we invited a select group of VIP buyers from the Gulf region to join us at the show, and it was an overwhelming success! The feedback from our guests was so positive, with everyone excited about the incredible brands the UK and beyond has to offer. We are looking forward to deals being done as a direct result of this in the coming months!

Check out this brief video clip featuring feedback from our buyer at Holland & Barrett Qatar about their experience at the event!

In our exploration of the key product trends at Natural Organic Products Europe 2024, one standout category was mushroom products. From cordyceps and reishi to lion’s mane, mushrooms took centre stage, with many brands showcasing scientific case studies to support their benefits. These mushroom supplements are being incorporated into various products, ranging from protein bars to adaptogenic coffee and mouth sprays.

Another emerging product trend observed at Natural Organic Products Europe 2024 was feminine care, particularly focusing on women in the perimenopausal and menopausal stages. A variety of supplements were showcased, available in convenient formats such as on-the-go sachets and specialist teas. Additionally, innovative products like lubricants and sanitary items were introduced, including packs of 100% organic bamboo period pads made with plant-based vegan materials.

Collagen products once again emerged as a standout trend with their multifaceted benefits. Among the diverse offerings were skincare creams and moisturisers infused with collagen, renowned for their ability to promote skin elasticity and hydration, resulting in a more youthful complexion. Additionally, supplement powders packed with collagen proved popular, in both tub format and on-the-go saches offering a convenient way to support skin health from within. In addition, there was a wide array of collagen capsules, offering a convenient daily dose, delivering skin-loving nutrients with ease.

Another prominent trend observed at the show was the range of drinks offering functional benefits beyond mere hydration. These beverages, ranging from flavoured mineral waters, gut friendly sodas to ranges of tea’s, were formulated with added nutrients, vitamins, herbs, and adaptogens to target specific health needs and enhance overall well-being.

Functional drinks have gained popularity due to their ability to address various health concerns while providing a convenient and enjoyable consumption experience. The trend of drinks with functional benefits reflects a growing consumer interest in products that not only quench thirst but also nourish the body and promote overall vitality

As well as these product trends, another highlight was , our Founder  Victoria leading a compelling panel discussion on Monday at the show, sharing invaluable insights and perspectives. The topic revolved around global product trends and successful retailer stories, featuring insightful contributions from our esteemed guests representing the UAE and Qatar. The session attracted a full-house audience, and we’re hoping to share the video recording with you soon!

Supporting our Buyer network at the show, we also had a number of valued brand and manufacturing clients who were exhibiting or attending the show that we caught up with too. Here’s some feedback from one of our valued clients, highlighting how our services have contributed to their success in the Middle East.

Although we made every effort to connect with as many brands as possible during the show, we understand that we may have missed some of you who were there. If you’re curious about how we can support your brand to develop your Middle Eastern footprint, don’t hesitate to reach out via our contact form below and our team will come back to you.

Our next trade shows will be the Food and Drink Expo at the NEC in Birmingham at the end of April followed by the Saudi Food Show in May in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Do also get in touch if you would like to meet up at either of these forthcoming events to discuss your export related needs.

With a growing population and evolving consumer preferences, the soft drinks market in the Kingdom and UAE is experiencing significant growth and transformation. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the key insights provided by both industry report and our own market research on the Saudi Arabia and UAE soft drinks market to understand the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping this dynamic sector.

Market Overview: Saudi Arabia and the UAE soft drinks market is witnessing robust growth, driven by factors such as increasing disposable income, rapid urbanisation, and changing lifestyles. The market encompasses a wide range of beverages, including carbonated drinks, juices, energy drinks, and bottled water, catering to diverse consumer preferences.

The size of the UAE soft drinks market sits at 1.7 billion litres versus Saudi Arabia at almost 5 billion litres. Both have seen increasing sales by approx. 3% over the period between 2017 to 2022.

Saudi Arabia is the market to watch in the Arab e-comm market, expected to reach 8.2 Billion USD by the end of 2024. Although the UAE is currently the largest overall market size, Arab News reports the Kingdom is growing at a faster rate.

Carbonated Drinks Dominate: Carbonated drinks hold the largest share in the Saudi soft drinks market, fuelled by their popularity among consumers of all age groups. Brands like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and local players have established a strong presence in this segment, offering a variety of flavours and packaging options to cater to diverse tastes.

With rising health awareness among consumers, there is a growing demand for healthier beverage options such as natural juices, functional drinks, and low-sugar alternatives. This trend is driving innovation in product formulations and packaging strategies, with companies focusing on introducing healthier options to meet consumer preferences.

Fruit flavours, including tropical fruits, berries, and citrus infusions held over 37% of the market share. Consumers are increasingly drawn to beverages that offer novelty and excitement, seeking out new sensory experiences in their soft drink choices.

Convenience is a key factor influencing consumer purchasing decisions in Saudi Arabia's soft drinks market. Ready-to-drink (RTD) formats, on-the-go packaging, and availability through various retail channels including supermarkets, convenience stores, and online platforms are driving the growth of the market.

The Saudi government's initiatives to promote healthy lifestyles and regulate the beverage industry are shaping the market dynamics. Stringent regulations on sugar content, labelling requirements, and advertising restrictions are influencing the product portfolios and marketing strategies of soft drink companies operating in the Kingdom. Any drinks with a sugar content (natural or artificial) has a 50% increase on the shelf retail price that is payable to the Saudi government.

The adult segment held over 46% revenue share in 2022 and will continue to dominate. This can be attributed to the Vision 2030 initiative whereby the Ministry of Education has banned soft drinks in schools, as well as, the growing population of adults in their 20s – 30s and their increased disposable income and changing lifestyle.

Functional drinks (those that relieve stress, promote sleep, improve energy, boost immunity) hold the largest share in the UAE drinks market, with over 1.6 million litres in off-trade volume in 2022.

In the UAE, there is a notable increase in sales of smaller bottles and canned formats, particularly through the Aquafina brand. This trend diverges from other markets where canned formats may not be as popular. This relates to it’s ability to offer more convenience as they’re easier to store, carry and consume on the go. Also, smaller bottles and cans provide consumers with better control over portion sizes, which is becoming increasingly important as people become more health conscious.

Sparkling flavoured water is expected to regain lost growth momentum in the UAE soft drinks market in the foreseeable future.

Just like the in the Kingdom, the UAE government have some regulations that can pose a significant challenge in the UAE soft drinks market. The excise tax means that any drinks with a sugar content (natural or artificial) has a 50% increase on the shelf retail price that is payable to the UAE government. Not only this, but bottled water is subject to an additional regulatory requirement beyond standard registration. ESMA/EQM certification is necessary, adding to the regulatory landscape for soft drink companies.

Again, similar to Saudi Arabia, the UAE soft drinks market anticipates growth in ready-to-drink (RTD) products in the upcoming period. These include coffee and tea and sports drinks.

Despite challenges such as increasing health concerns and regulatory pressures, the Saudi Arabia soft drinks market presents promising opportunities for industry players. Key areas of growth include:

If you would like to find out more about how your soft drink could successfully navigate the high growth opportunity of Saudi Arabia book a consultation with our Founder Victoria to discuss your product and our suites of support services that could accelerate your market entry into this territory!

To do so fill in your details via the contact form below and state your consultation request

After an exciting and super busy few weeks out in the Gulf region, our Founder Victoria recounts this business trip and provides some Gulf market and company updates:

We began our latest trip in Dubai, UAE and flew in just in time to coincide with the first edition of the Free From Events in the region. Thanks to our expertise and passion in the area of health and wellness as well as our extensive knowledge of the Gulf markets, we were delighted to provide additional support to the Free From Dubai events organisers and some of their exhibitors participating in the show.

The 2-day show was co-located with the prestigious Future Food Forum and as such attracted a wealth of stakeholders from the wider food and drink industry. We were also asked to play a part in this event too and I was asked to participate in a high-level panel discussion on the evolution of the F&B retail experience within the region on the second day. It was a great opportunity to share the stage with several others and discuss numbers changing consumer trends and demands in the Gulf.

The Free From Dubai edition itself was a great opportunity for those exhibiting at the show to not only showcase their products but also to network with others, and engage in high level buyer meetings that were organised as part of the participation. At Bolst Global we also took a stand at the show and had the opportunity to expose our portfolio of clients and meet with both familiar and new faces in the health and wellness space. It meant a very busy and highly enjoyable couple of days for us and we continue to follow up on the conversations developed from the event.

As the Free From Dubai event drew to a close, our support did not and we bounced into day three (thanks to plenty of caffeine!) with a very special Retailer Safari that we had organised for an inspiring delegation of Female Founded South African producers. Cue a very busy day buzzing around the city and meeting several key retailers in the grocery space from our network. The objective of this day was to help provide accelerated market and category knowledge to the participants as well as introduce them to some of the prominent players who are driving a strong health and wellness agenda in the UAE. The day went really well, and you can find out more about it here. Building on this success we have decided to offer out more retailer safaris next year, especially to coincide with Arab Health and Gulfood 2024, which are the major trade shows for the food, drink and supplement sectors.

Once we had taken some rest over the weekend, albeit the Saturday was still choc-a-bloc with client meetings and a fleeting visit to the Dubai Pro bodybuilding show, we moved into a second week in Dubai. This time it was a busy few days of product training on behalf of a client for one of our partners in market, and as many high value retailer and distributor meetings that we could squeeze into the week for our clients. One of the highlights throughout the trip was certainly the opportunity to spend quality time with our connections in market and to continue to strengthen our business relationships. The face-to-face aspect of doing business and our ongoing commitment to the region remains for us a key strength and one which anyone serious about international trade or business in any area for that matter must be committed to.

We left Dubai with several potential business opportunities for numerous clients, some great private label business brewing, a new airline listing and multiple retailer listings that have already come to fruition.

After Dubai, we headed for a few days to Kuwait. From then on in it was me flying solo for the rest of the trip. Some people may question the reason for choosing Kuwait. Certainly, it is a country that many businesses can often overlook when they are assessing markets in the Middle East, but which can for some segments create significant opportunities. There are growing e-commerce platforms to consider such as Talabat and the private sector with players such as Sultan Center and Trolley playing a role in grocery retail. However, the key to success when trying to enter the market in Kuwait is finding a strong local partner. As most of the grocery retail market share is dominated through the local Cooperatives then access through Kuwaiti based parties is a prerequisite. During our time in market, we made plenty of store visits with some our highly valued distributor partners as well as took time to meet with multiple retailers and distributors. Plus, I even managed to squeeze in a catch up with the lovely Gula and Naz at the British Embassy – always a pleasure to do so!

From Kuwait and with a PO secured in our hand for one of our long-standing clients, I travelled to Qatar for more of the same. Special shout out to Ahmed Elmasry from Holland and Barrett who went above and beyond to make me feel welcome in Doha and show me round the city!

With retailer and distributor meetings filling our days, again it made my stay in Qatar a truly positive experience and I continued to build on our existing relationships as well as create some new ones too.