Top 10 FMCG Trends in the Middle East and Africa, 2026

This brief looks at some of the key trends in our analysis of events in the Middle East and Africa. It specifically looks at trends that have changed significantly since 2025 and their implications.

Table of contents:

1. Summary
2. The Hormuz shock: Gulf supply chains rerouted
3. FX stabilises in West Africa and profits rebound
4. Ownership changes hands: multinationals sell, institutional investors back retailers
5. Varun Beverages and Indian groups become consolidators
6. Convenience moves to metro stations and forecourts
7. Retail splits into small packs and discounters at one end, premium at the other
8. French grocery brands enter frontier markets
9. Protein is in, sugar is out, and GLP-1 appears
10. Energy drinks are booming and regulators are cracking down on alcohol
11. Cocoa and sugar: from prices to local processing