The market for flexible packaging in the Middle East and Africa continues to show strong growth. The reason for this is the publication of a recent market study by Towards Packaging, a sister company of Precedence Research. According to the study, the market volume was around USD 12.9 billion in 2025 and is expected to rise to around USD 20.03 billion by 2034. Drivers include urbanisation, the growing consumption of packaged food and the increasing importance of pharmaceutical and personal care products.
The report describes flexible packaging as lightweight, mouldable materials such as films, bags and laminates that reduce material usage and can be adapted to different product shapes. These solutions are gaining importance in the region, particularly due to cost and weight advantages as well as improved barrier properties.
Sustainability and regulation characterise the market
According to the study, companies and legislators are increasingly focussing on sustainable packaging concepts. Several countries in the region have introduced or tightened regulatory frameworks in recent years. These include programmes for extended producer responsibility as well as requirements for recyclability and material labelling. These developments have promoted the use of recyclable mono-materials and paper-based alternatives without compromising the protective function of the packaging.
Technological innovations and new applications
In addition to sustainability, the analysis identifies technological advances as an important growth driver. Improved barrier films, lighter material structures and digital printing technologies enable longer shelf life, individualised packaging and more efficient logistics. At the same time, demand is increasing due to growing online trade, which requires robust, lightweight and transport-safe packaging solutions.
According to the report, a differentiated regional picture emerges: While countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates benefit from high purchasing power and modern trade infrastructure, African markets such as Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa are gaining in importance due to the expansion of food processing and increasing product safety requirements.
Source: Precedence Research
