From Dubai to Düsseldorf: Why the MENA Region is a Key Player in the Global Packaging Transformation
The continuing growth of the global population, increasing urbanization, higher employment rates, rising incomes, and changing consumer behavior are driving worldwide demand for packaged food. According to the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association, Euromonitor International forecasts that global sales of packaged food will rise by 11 percent between 2024 and 2029 – from 872 million tons to 968 million tons. Demand, however, varies greatly from region to region.
One of the most dynamic growth areas is the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Here a growth of almost 21 percent to 97 million tons is expected for the period 2024 to 2029. Economic diversification, infrastructure investment, and changing consumption habits are driving strong demand for processed and packaged food – and with it, for advanced packaging technologies. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is emerging as both a market of opportunity and an innovation hub for the region. Here, 2.5 million tons of packaged food were sold in 2024. And a growth of 23 percent to 3.1 million tons of packaged food by 2029 is forecast.
At the same time, the global industry is preparing for its most important gathering: interpack 2026, taking place from 7 to 13 May 2026 in Düsseldorf, Germany. For companies in the UAE and across the region, this event offers a gateway to the world’s most advanced technologies and partnerships.
A Region on the Move
According to VDMA and Euromonitor International data, sales of packaged food across the Middle East and North Africa continue to rise steadily.
The largest product category for the Middle East and North Africa region is ‘Baked Goods’ with a share of almost 41 percent (32.9 million tons). It is expected that sales will increase by 17 percent to 38.5 million tons in 2029. The second largest product category are ‘Dairy’ products with a share of 26 percent. Demand here is expected to increase by almost 23 percent to 25.5 million tons. In third place are the category ‘Rice, Pasta and Noodles’ with a demand of 13.2 million tons in 2024. This is followed by the product categories in the order of ‘Edible Oils’, ‘Sauces, Dips and Condiments’, as well as ‘Processed Fruit and Vegetables’.
It is expected that the rising demand for packaged food in Middle East and North Africa will lead to further investment in food processing and packaging machinery in order to build up and expand production capacities and thus meet the increased demand.
Increased investment in machinery and equipment
VDMA figures also show that imports of food processing and packaging machinery into MENA have grown significantly in recent years, highlighting the region’s modernization efforts.
Among the top ten supplier countries, Italy, Germany, and China remain key partners, providing advanced technologies in automation, robotics, and energy-efficient production. For Gulf-based producers, these solutions are vital to enhancing product quality, process reliability, and environmental performance.
The data also reflect the region’s growing importance in global trade:
- In 2024, global exports of food processing and packaging machinery to the Near and Middle East amounted to 2.7 billion euros, an increase of 14.2 percent compared with the previous year (2.3 billion euros).
- Looking specifically at the United Arab Emirates, the volume of global exports to the country has increased every year since 2020.
- In 2024, exports of food processing and packaging machinery to the UAE reached around 604 million euros, an increase of 20.2 percent over 2023 (503 million euros).
These figures highlight both the rising regional demand for high-quality technology and the global relevance of the Gulf markets as drivers of innovation and investment.
Hot Topics at interpack 2026 focus on key challenges
Rising global population, urbanization and increasing prosperity are driving steady growth in demand for packaged food. At the same time, the food industry faces major challenges: high energy costs, volatile raw material prices and growing pressure for sustainable production. Balancing quality, efficiency and environmental responsibility is key – and mastering this complexity will determine long-term competitiveness. With the help of technologies these challenges can be solved. And technology providers have a key role to play here: with secure, efficient and future-proof solutions. interpack 2026 delivers answers to these challenges and focuses on the Hot Topics Smart Manufacturing, Innovative Materials and Future Skills.
interpack 2026: Where the World Meets
With thousands of visitors from MENA countries attending interpack 2023 and driving global business forward, the next edition of the world’s leading trade show for processing and packaging is just around the corner in 2026. The MENA region plays a pivotal role in the global industry, and its presence in Düsseldorf continues to grow.
interpack 2026 will once again bring together the entire value chain – from packaging materials and packaging solutions to packaging machinery and related process technology. The show covers all key sectors: food, beverages, confectionery, bakery, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, non-food, and industrial goods.
As the world’s leading trade fair for the processing and packaging industry, interpack serves as the beating heart of the global market.
Regional Strength, Global Opportunities
With its strategic location, ambitious sustainability goals, and expanding consumer base, the MENA region is emerging as a key player in the global packaging transformation. For companies and professionals from the United Arab Emirates and the wider region, interpack 2026 offers the unique opportunity to be part of the global packaging movement, to connect with international leaders, and to contribute to the transformation of an industry that continues to evolve — from Dubai to Düsseldorf and far beyond.
Quotes:
Thomas Dohse, Director interpack: “At interpack, regional potential is connected directly with the world’s best minds and technologies. The event brings together companies, experts and decision-makers from around the globe to share insights, experience innovation firsthand and help determine the future direction of the industry.”
Richard Clemens, Managing Director of the Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association within the VDMA: “The United Arab Emirates and the wider Gulf region have become important growth markets for the global packaging and processing industries. Investments in food production, logistics and sustainable technologies are driving up demand for high-quality machinery and equipment, and international manufacturers are playing a key role in this development.”
About interpack
Every three years, interpack gathers together the world’s processing & packaging sector in Düsseldorf for one week. Its focus: packaging solutions and packaging materials; packaging machines and the related process technology for the food, beverages, confectionery, baked goods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, non-food and industrial goods sectors. As an internationally leading trade fair, it draws experts from across the world to exchange ideas about the latest technologies and solutions and provides impetuses for the sector’s future topics. The next interpack will take place in Düsseldorf from 7 to 13 May 2026. Around 2,800 exhibitors from around the world are expected.
About VDMA
The VDMA represents 3600 German and European mechanical and plant engineering companies. The industry stands for innovation, export orientation and SMEs. The companies employ around 3 million people in the EU-27, more than 1.2 million of them in Germany alone. This makes mechanical and plant engineering the largest employer among the capital goods industries, both in the EU-27 and in Germany. In the European Union, it represents a turnover volume of an estimated 870 billion euros. Around 80 percent of the machinery sold in the EU comes from a manufacturing plant in the domestic market.
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