The vegan population in developed countries has increased rapidly in the past few years. Preventing the exploitation environment is the key reason for consumers' preference toward a vegan diet, due to which there is a rising demand for plant-based dietary supplements in the market. Omega- 3 fatty acids are majorly produced from fish, algae, krill, etc. However, factors such as overfishing and environmental issues, such as ocean warming, have prompted consumers to include viable and sustainable alternative sources of omega-3, which do not contribute to the depletion of natural resources. Various plant-based sources such as flax seeds, chia seeds, ahiflower, walnuts, hemp seeds, seaweed, and algae are also enriched with omega-3 fatty acids. Apart from this, consumers’ shift toward a healthier lifestyle has raised the popularity of flexitarian, vegetarian, and vegan diets, which has opened up exciting opportunities for omega- 3 supplements manufacturers. These companies are trying to develop innovative products by using minimal or no animal-derived ingredients. For instance, DSM Life's OMEGA is a unique, plant-based alternative to fish oil-based products, containing at least 500 mg/g of EPA and DHA in the triglyceride form, derived from a vegetarian source. Thus, the escalating consumer preferences toward vegan supplements is giving rise to several key trends that will boost the dietary supplements market growth in the coming years.
Turkey, South Africa, Iraq, and Israel are among the major countries in the Middle East & Africa, which have reported a high number of COVID -19 cases. According to the International Finance Corporation, the COVID -19 pandemic has had a severe impact on the economy in this region, which has led to a decline in oil production, tourism, and remittances. The quarantine measures implemented for sanitary purposes in the region have led to disruptions in several activities across diverse economic sectors. The MEA comprises many growing economies, which are prospective markets for omega 3 supplements vendors. The pandemic has significantly propelled the growth of the omega 3 supplements market in the region on the back of health benefits associated with these products.
With the new features and technologies, vendors can attract new customers and expand their footprints in emerging markets. This factor is likely to drive the Middle East & Africa omega-3 supplements market. The Middle East & Africa omega-3 supplements market is expected to grow at a good CAGR during the forecast period.