Snacks and Confectionery Trends in the Middle East & Africa, 2026

This brief looks at some of the key trends in snacks and confectionery in the Middle East and Africa. It specifically looks at trends that have changed significantly since 2025.

Table of contents:

1) Summary

2) Middle East: five snacks and confectionery trends

• Dubai chocolate moves from craze to line extension
• Gulf capital consolidates bakery and ingredients
• Iraq and Syria open up as snack markets
• Indian and Asian snack brands target the Gulf
• Retail and travel retail become launch stages

3)  Africa: five snacks and confectionery trends

• Cocoa: price relief and local chocolate making
• Portfolio exits and new owners
• Microaffordability becomes an important pack strategy
• Snack makers localise production
• North African manufacturers go pan-African