“Food is a sign of friendliness in the Arabian Gulf,” according to Felicia Campbell, an author who specialises in Arabian Gulf cuisine. Saudi has observed a drastic change compared to ancient times. For example, there were times when musky dry black limes from neighbouring Oman and local dried dates and camel's milk used to be part of the ancient diet.
However, these days, camel's milk is more likely to be found in the form of a premium camel milk latte. The introduction of technology is one of the primary reasons for the food and beverage industry's rapid expansion. In the Saudi market, the demand for both organised as well as unorganised outlets is expected to increase tenfold.
Technology is becoming necessary, leading to growing client demand in the food and beverage industries. Moreover, consumers worldwide are becoming more mindful of their health and wellness, which is reflecting an enormous impact on the people of the Kingdom. This will have a direct influence on their eating choices, resulting in a slew of new demands that are expected to quadruple. Drastically, shifting demographics give several chances for boosting Saudi Arabia's Food & Beverage business. Saudi Arabia has the most extensive local food and beverage market in the GCC, with a population surpassing 34 million by the end of 2019.
One result of the greater emphasis on experience will be a change away from the now ubiquitous food stalls found throughout the supermarket around the Kingdom and toward a broader selection of Dinnertainment alternatives, particularly Food Halls. Food halls come in a variety of styles, from classic market revivals to current street food markets. Even while each style provides a unique experience, they all have some traits. They operate because they give a fresh, ever-changing, "local," and one-of-a-kind experience offered by alternating concepts concentrating on exceptional cuisine, freshly created to order, and typically served by local vendors eager to expand their brand.
A food hall is not just a reasonably inexpensive tasty meal; it is also an experience that the local community can connect to as well as a must-see, one-of-a-kind experience for tourists.
The Saudi food and beverage sector is now strongly reliant on traditional indigenous offerings and huge worldwide brands. This tendency is notably seen in the fast-food industry, which is still dominated by names such as McDonald's, Subway, and KFC. In recent times, as the Country continues to evolve its abilities as an emerging tourist attraction, the market has become more attractive to exciting brands such as Coya, Nobu, Scalini, Gaia, and many others who have created a dignified image among the food and beverage industry worldwide.
With a variety of local brands illustrating their competitive edge proficiently against global players, and customers becoming more selective in their desire for more uniqueness, there are possibilities for various local or homegrown/ homemade food in the near future, — especially those trying to offer healthy alternatives made from organic ingredients.
Moreover, The essence of the delivery system, on the other hand, will continue to expand, with choices for delivery to a wider variety of areas. Food delivery to businesses is becoming more widespread in Saudi Arabia. A youthful futuristic population, growing spending power, internet access, and contemporary and changing lifestyles are driving the rise of the Saudi Arabian online meal delivery sector. Furthermore, There has been a surge in demand for "dark kitchens" (kitchens without eating areas) in Saudi Arabia's main cities, and this trend is expected to continue in the future years. Food production from a central kitchen in a relatively low-cost location is likely to appeal to restaurants with several locations.
As a result, American restaurants such as Chili's, Fuddruckers, TGI Fridays, Applebee's, Sizzler, and Even On the Boarder are trendy. They can be found in all of Saudi Arabia's main cities. Standalone food and beverage channels continue to dominate the family restaurant category by offering satisfactory dining food service with a diverse menu. Throughout Ramadan, comprehensive eateries, such as Hyatt Regency Tent and The Ritz-Carlton Residences, compete with nearby eateries to give a more fantastic and unique taste along with boosting the market even further.
(Sain belongs to Dairy Engineering Division at ICAR-NDRI, Karnal;
Balyan belongs to Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. They can be reached at mukulsain95@gmail.com)