Edible meat refers to a wide range of animal-derived items that are regarded safe and fit for human consumption.  In recent years, the definition of edible meat has evolved to encompass plant-based meat substitutes as well as lab-grown (cultured) meat. These products seek to replicate the taste, texture, and nutritional value of traditional meat while also addressing issues of environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and food security. Different varieties of meat are classified according to the animal source, such as beef from cattle, pork from pigs, poultry from chickens and other birds, and mutton or lamb from sheep. Each variety of meat has distinct nutritional qualities, supplying critical components such as protein, vitamins, and minerals, including iron and B vitamins, which are required for a healthy diet.

Driving Factors- Meat is a staple in the Saudi diet, having cultural and religious significance, especially during Islamic holidays such as Eid al-Adha, when meat demand increases. The demand for halal meat, which complies to Islamic dietary requirements, drives the local meat industry, since the country provides a consistent supply of halal-certified products. The Saudi government has taken steps to improve food security, such as investing in domestic meat production and supporting agricultural technology. These projects attempt to reduce reliance on meat imports while increasing local production, so contributing to the expansion of the edible meat market. The growth of modern retail formats such as supermarkets and hypermarkets, together with a thriving foodservice industry featuring international and local restaurant chains, has raised demand for convenient, high-quality beef products.

Challenges- The Saudi government has strong rules in place to ensure food safety, halal certification, and meat product quality. While these requirements protect consumer safety and adherence to Islamic dietary laws, they also create major obstacles for producers and importers. Meeting these legal standards can be expensive and time-consuming, especially for small enterprises. Noncompliance can result in product recalls, fines, or bans, affecting market players' profitability and share. Saudi Arabia is seeing a steady shift in consumer tastes as health consciousness and awareness of sustainable food sources grows. There is growing interest in plant-based diets and alternative protein sources, such as plant-based or lab-grown meat, which may have an influence on the traditional meat market and pose a challenge to traditional meat producers who must adapt to changing consumer tastes.

The Covid-19 epidemic caused a substantial shift in consumer behavior, which influenced the edible meat market. The closure of restaurants, hotels, and catering services resulted in a dramatic fall in foodservice demand. This was somewhat countered by an increase in retail demand as people turned to home cooking. Panic buying and stockpiling of meat items were noted in the early phases of the epidemic, causing changes in store sales. Furthermore, health concerns have fueled interest in locally produced meat and other protein sources, such as plant-based foods. The pandemic forced the Saudi government to enforce stronger health and safety rules throughout the food industry, including the meat sector, resulting in decreased operational efficiency, temporary closures, and higher operational expenses.

The market study provides market data by competitive landscape, revenue analysis, market segments and detailed analysis of key market players such as Al-Watania Poultry, Almarai Food Company, BRF S.A, Golden Chicken Farm Factory Company, Halwani Brothers Company, Sunbulah Group, Tanmiah Food Company, The Savola Group.

By Type: Based on the Type, Saudi Arabia Edible Meat Market is segmented as; Beef, Mutton, Poultry, Other Meat.

By Form: Based on the Form, Saudi Arabia Edible Meat Market is segmented as; Canned, Fresh/Chilled, Frozen, Processed.

By Distribution Channel: Based on the Distribution Channel, Saudi Arabia Edible Meat Market is segmented as; Convenience Stores, Online Channel, Supermarkets and Hypermarkets, Other.

By Region: Based on the Region, Saudi Arabia Edible Meat Market is segmented as; Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Rest of Saudi Arabia.

This study also encompasses various drivers and restraining factors of this market for the forecast period. Various growth opportunities are also discussed in the report.