Saudi Arabia: Market for Prepared Dishes and Meals 2026

Market Size for Prepared Dishes and Meals in Saudi Arabia

In 2025, the Saudi prepared dishes and meal market decreased by X% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a five-year rising trend. Overall, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2025, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Prepared Dishes and Meals

Exports from Saudi Arabia

In 2025, the amount of prepared dishes and meals exported from Saudi Arabia soared to X tons, jumping by X% on 2023. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2025 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, prepared dishes and meal exports surged to $X in 2025. Overall, exports recorded a strong expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of X%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2025 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X tons), Yemen (X tons) and Oman (X tons) were the main destinations of prepared dishes and meal exports from Saudi Arabia, together comprising X% of total exports. Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Sudan, Libya, Jordan and Indonesia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further X%.

From 2012 to 2025, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Iraq (with a CAGR of X%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for prepared dishes and meal exported from Saudi Arabia were the United Arab Emirates ($X), Yemen ($X) and Oman ($X), with a combined X% share of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Oman, with a CAGR of X%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2025, the average prepared dishes and meal export price amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of X% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, enjoyed moderate growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the average export price increased by X% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2025, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Indonesia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Sudan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2025, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Libya (X%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Prepared Dishes and Meals

Imports into Saudi Arabia

In 2025, supplies from abroad of prepared dishes and meals decreased by X% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a five-year rising trend. Overall, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of X%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2025, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, prepared dishes and meal imports expanded notably to $X in 2025. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2025; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 when imports increased by X%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2025 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Denmark (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Bahrain (X tons) were the main suppliers of prepared dishes and meal imports to Saudi Arabia, together accounting for X% of total imports. Germany, Italy, Ireland, Egypt, Malaysia, Spain, the UK, the Netherlands and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X%.

From 2012 to 2025, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Malaysia (with a CAGR of X%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Ireland ($X) constituted the largest supplier of prepared dishes and meals to Saudi Arabia, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Egypt ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2025, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Ireland was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Egypt (X% per year) and Germany (X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average prepared dishes and meal import price stood at $X per ton in 2025, rising by X% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2025, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Ireland ($X per ton), while the price for Malaysia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2025, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (X%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

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