Plant based cheese is present in the Middle East but it is not yet as mainstream as it is in US, Canada and Europe,” Weerman said. “ In the Middle East, we are seeing traditional dairy categories including cheese being disrupted by plant-based alternatives. Similar to its dairy counterparts, Violife cheeses have the same performance and are suitable cooking and baking applications. Violife’s vegan cheeses are free from dairy, preservatives, lactose, gluten, nuts, and soya.Įach product is based on coconut oil and fortified with B12, which play a vital role in the body's metabolism.įor instance, its cheddar cheese is made with water, coconut oil, starch, sunflower kernel grounded, mature cheddar flavour, lactic acid, olive extract, vitamin B12 for colour. Chefs can maintain their existing customers while attracting new ones,” Weerman said. “ By introducing plant-based dishes in their menu, restaurants can scale their businesses by attracting more customers with specific dietary requirements, food allergies, intolerances, and dietary restrictions. “ We have also noticed that retailers and the food service sector are fast adapting and catering to a spike in the demand for plant-based foods which is great for the category. This is being driven by consumers belief that it is better for their health (65%) and better for the planet (66%). In Saudi Arabia, the largest market in the Middle East, YouGov research showed that the country is at a plant-based tipping point with 1 in 2 consumers (58%) now actively trying to eat more plant-based foods. “ The progressive growth in the demand for plant-based foods in the Middle East, particularly in the UAE, is also fueled by people’s growing concerns about environmental sustainability, and animal welfare.” With the pandemic, people became more health conscious and have been rethinking their eating habits and choices. “ Interestingly, the Covid-19 pandemic encouraged more consumers to switch to plant-based foods which helped to make our launch a successful one. Last year, Upfield launched the Flora brand comprising a plant-based butter and cream product into UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Jordan and Lebanon, which were available at major supermarket chains.Īmid the COVID-19 pandemic, Reinier Weerman, Upfield’s general manager (MENA) told FoodNavigator-Asia sales have been growing month-on-month. The Amsterdam headquartered firm sells to over 95 countries worldwide. Upfield’s brands including Flora, Rama, Blue Band and Proactiv. The products are sold to food service as well as retail sectors across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain. ![]() ![]() Violife is a vegan, allergen-free alternative range to dairy cheese, and will be available in slices, blocks, grated and creamy in original, cheddar and mozzarella flavours.
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