Middle East and Africa Food Certification Market Size, Share and Trends Analysis Report – Industry Overview and Forecast to 2033

Middle East and Africa Food Certification Market Size

• The Middle East and Africa food certification market size was valued at USD 621.60 million in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 1,036.51 million by 2033, at a CAGR of 6.60% during the forecast period
• The market growth is largely fuelled by increasing consumer awareness regarding food safety, quality, and traceability across global supply chains
• In addition, rising regulatory standards, adoption of sustainable practices, and growing demand for certified organic, non-GMO, and allergen-free products are supporting market expansion

Middle East and Africa Food Certification Market Analysis

• Growing emphasis on food safety, quality assurance, and compliance with international regulations is shaping the market
• The increasing adoption of global food certification standards by manufacturers, retailers, and foodservice providers is enhancing supply chain transparency and reinforcing consumer confidence
• Saudi Arabia dominated the Middle East and Africa food certification market in 2025, driven by growing food imports, regulatory enforcement, and increasing consumer focus on safe and certified food products
• ​South Africa is expected to witness the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the Middle East and Africa food certification market due to rising consumer awareness of food quality and safety, increasing adoption of organic and sustainable products, and government initiatives promoting food certification and compliance
• The high-risk foods segment held the largest market revenue share in 2025, driven by the growing need for stringent safety measures and regulatory compliance in perishable and processed food products. Certifications for high-risk foods help ensure hygiene, traceability, and consumer safety across supply chains

Report Scope and Middle East and Africa Food Certification Market Segmentation  

Middle East and Africa Food Certification Market Trends

Rising Demand for Food Safety, Quality, And Traceability

• The growing focus on food safety and quality is significantly shaping the food certification market, as consumers and businesses increasingly prefer products that meet standardized safety, quality, and sustainability criteria. Food certification is gaining traction due to its ability to assure compliance with regulatory requirements and enhance consumer trust without affecting product availability or cost. This trend strengthens adoption across food processing, retail, and catering industries, encouraging certifying bodies and manufacturers to innovate with robust certification programs
• Increasing awareness around health, hygiene, and sustainable sourcing has accelerated the demand for certified food products, including organic, non-GMO, allergen-free, and eco-labeled offerings. Retailers and foodservice operators are actively seeking certified suppliers to ensure compliance and quality assurance, prompting collaborations between certification agencies and food manufacturers to enhance credibility and traceability
• Certification and sustainability trends are influencing procurement and purchasing decisions, with businesses emphasizing compliance, transparency, and eco-friendly practices. These factors are helping companies differentiate products in a competitive market, strengthen brand reputation, and build consumer confidence while driving the adoption of international and third-party certification programs
  • For instance, in 2024, leading food manufacturers expanded their certified product portfolios, incorporating ISO, HACCP, and organic certifications to meet rising demand for verified quality and safety. These certifications were introduced in response to consumer preference for trustworthy and safe food products, with implementation across processing, packaging, and supply chain operations
• While demand for food certification is growing, sustained market expansion depends on continuous process improvement, cost-efficient auditing, and maintaining rigorous compliance standards. Certification agencies are also focusing on scalability, digital verification, and innovative program development to balance operational efficiency, credibility, and market accessibilit

Middle East and Africa Food Certification Market Dynamics

Driver

Growing Emphasis on Food Safety, Quality, And Sustainability

• Increasing consumer demand for safe, high-quality, and sustainably sourced food is a major driver for the food certification market. Businesses are increasingly seeking certifications to validate compliance, improve product appeal, and meet regulatory and industry standards
• Expanding applications across packaged foods, beverages, processed products, and catering services are influencing market growth. Food certifications help enhance traceability, hygiene, and quality assurance, enabling manufacturers to meet consumer expectations for safe and reliable offerings
• Certification bodies and industry organizations are actively promoting food safety and quality programs through auditing, training, and compliance verification. These efforts are supported by the growing focus on sustainability, reducing environmental impact, and reinforcing consumer trust
  • For instance, in 2023, leading global food brands reported increased adoption of ISO 22000, HACCP, and organic certifications across multiple product lines. This expansion followed higher market demand for verified safety, traceability, and sustainable sourcing, driving repeat business and competitive differentiation
• Although rising awareness of food safety and sustainability supports growth, wider adoption depends on cost optimization, accessibility of certification programs, and scalable auditing processes. Investment in digital verification, training, and standardized frameworks will be critical for meeting global demand and maintaining market credibility

Restraint/Challenge

High Cost And Complex Certification Processes

• The relatively higher cost of obtaining food certifications compared to standard operational practices remains a key challenge, limiting adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises. Fees for auditing, documentation, and compliance verification contribute to elevated expenses
• Consumer and manufacturer awareness regarding certification standards remains uneven in certain markets. Limited understanding of the benefits of certifications restricts adoption across some food categories and emerging markets
• Administrative and supply chain complexities also impact market growth, as certified products require adherence to stringent standards, proper documentation, and periodic audits. Operational challenges, including staff training and process standardization, increase time and resource requirements
  • For instance, in 2024, smaller food processors and suppliers reported slower uptake of ISO, HACCP, and organic certifications due to cost constraints and procedural complexity. Limited access to accredited certification bodies and digital verification systems further slowed adoption
• Overcoming these challenges will require cost-efficient certification processes, digital auditing platforms, and awareness programs for manufacturers and consumers. Collaboration with regulatory agencies, retailers, and industry organizations can help unlock the long-term growth potential of the global food certification market. Furthermore, developing simplified and scalable certification frameworks will be essential for broader adoption

Middle East and Africa Food Certification Market Scope

The Middle East and Africa food certification market is segmented on the basis of risk, type, application, category, and end user.

• By Risk

On the basis of risk, the Middle East and Africa food certification market is segmented into high-risk foods and low-risk foods. The high-risk foods segment held the largest market revenue share in 2025, driven by the growing need for stringent safety measures and regulatory compliance in perishable and processed food products. Certifications for high-risk foods help ensure hygiene, traceability, and consumer safety across supply chains.

The low-risk foods segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2026 to 2033, supported by increasing consumer awareness and demand for verified quality in packaged and shelf-stable food products. Low-risk food certifications are gaining popularity among manufacturers seeking to build trust and meet sustainability and clean-label standards.

• By Type

On the basis of type, the Middle East and Africa food certification market is segmented into ISO 22000, BRC, SQF, IFS, HALAL, KOSHER, Free-From Certifications, HACCP, Vegan, and others. The ISO 22000 segment held the largest market share in 2025 due to its global recognition, comprehensive food safety management framework, and applicability across multiple food categories.

The HALAL segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2026 to 2033, driven by rising consumer demand for dietary-compliant and allergen-free products in the region. Growing Muslim populations across region, combined with increasing awareness of certified food standards, are encouraging manufacturers and retailers to expand their HALAL-certified product offerings. In addition, e-commerce platforms and modern retail chains are facilitating easier access to certified products, further boosting market adoption.

• By Application

On the basis of application, the Middle East and Africa food certification market is segmented into bakery products, confectionery products, baby foods, meat & poultry products, convenience food, nuts & dried fruits, milk & dairy products, tobacco, honey, tea & coffee, cereals, grains & pulses, herbs & spices, and others. The bakery and dairy segments held the largest revenue share in 2025 due to high consumption and regulatory focus on safety and quality.

The baby foods segment is expected to witness the fastest growth from 2026 to 2033, fueled by increasing parental awareness, urbanization, and demand for high-quality, certified nutritional products. Rising disposable incomes, dual-income households, and a focus on infant health and safety are prompting manufacturers to prioritize certified, traceable, and fortified baby food products.

• By Category

On the basis of category, the Middle East and Africa food certification market is segmented into organic food certification and sustainable food certification. The organic food certification segment held the largest share in 2025, supported by growing demand for non-GMO, pesticide-free, and eco-friendly products.

The sustainable food certification segment is expected to register the fastest growth during the forecast period, driven by initiatives focusing on environmental impact reduction, responsible sourcing, and eco-conscious consumer behavior. Increasing awareness among consumers about climate change, ethical sourcing, and sustainable farming practices is encouraging manufacturers to obtain sustainability certifications.

• By End User

On the basis of end user, the Middle East and Africa food certification market is segmented into growers, manufacturers, retailers, food service organizations, and others. The manufacturers segment held the largest market revenue share in 2025 due to the need for compliance across production, processing, and packaging stages.

The retailers segment is expected to witness the fastest growth from 2026 to 2033, driven by increasing adoption of certified products to ensure consumer trust and meet evolving food safety and sustainability standards. Retail chains are expanding their certified product portfolios to differentiate offerings, enhance brand credibility, and attract conscious consumers.

Middle East and Africa Food Certification Market Regional Analysis

• Saudi Arabia dominated the Middle East and Africa food certification market in 2025, driven by growing food imports, regulatory enforcement, and increasing consumer focus on safe and certified food products
• Food manufacturers and importers in the region increasingly rely on certifications such as ISO, HACCP, and HALAL to ensure compliance and maintain consumer confidence
• This adoption is further supported by rising urbanization, modern retail infrastructure, and government initiatives to strengthen food safety standards

South Africa Food Certification Market Insight

The South Africa food certification market is expected to witness the fastest growth from 2026 to 2033, driven by rising awareness about food safety, quality, and traceability. Manufacturers and retailers are increasingly adopting certifications for organic, sustainable, and allergen-free products to meet consumer demand. In addition, initiatives promoting export quality and international compliance are boosting certified food product adoption across the country.

Middle East and Africa Food Certification Market Share

The Middle East and Africa food certification industry is primarily led by well-established companies, including:

• Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (U.A.E.)
• Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (Saudi Arabia)
• Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality (Egypt)
• South African National Accreditation System (South Africa)
• Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kenya)
• Standards Organization of Nigeria (Nigeria)
• Tanzania Bureau of Standards (Tanzania)
• Uganda National Bureau of Standards (Uganda)
• Qatar General Organization for Standards and Metrology (Qatar)
• Bahrain Standards and Metrology Directorate (Bahrain)
• Oman Authority for Standardization and Metrology (Oman)
• Morocco Institute for Standardization (Morocco)
• Ethiopian Standards Agency (Ethiopia)
• Zimbabwe Standards Association (Zimbabwe)
• Institute of Standards Ghana (Ghana)

SKU-63883