Tahini Growing in Popularity Owing to its Nutritional Benefits

Tahini, a major component of baba ghanoush, halva, and hummus, is a staple in Middle East and Mediterranean cuisine. People in Greece, North Africa, Iran, Turkey, and Middle East countries. Tahini has traditionally been consumed as a sauce or dip, along with the main course, however, its low calorific properties are making it an appealing prospect to the food processing industry. Rising obesity levels, especially among children, have prompted consumers to look for healthier alternatives for kids’ snacks. Tahini is fast emerging as a popular alternative to peanut butter, as it has lower sugars and saturated fats, and higher levels of calcium and fibre.

Factors Driving Demand for Tahini

Demand for Convenience Food

The demand for convenience food is growing steadily the world over. Consumers in Middle East and Mediterranean, used to prepare tahini at home, however, owing to the hectic lifestyle and easy availability of convenience food, tahini’s demand in the retail sector has witnessed an increase.

Preference towards Low-calorie Spreads

As discussed previously, consumers around the world are looking at healthy alternatives to traditional, high-calorie foods. Peanut butter and other high-calorie foods are witnessing a decrease in demand, and low-calorie products, while the demand for tahini and other low-calorie products is surging.

Tahini is increasingly becoming a preferred choice in both sweet and savoury options, and in the Middle East and Mediterranean, it is quickly becoming the preferred spread in sandwiches.

Demand for Authentic Mediterranean & Middle East Food

Globalisation has meant that people around the world are gaining better awareness of each other’s culture, history, and cuisines. People travelling to Middle East and Mediterranean and immigrants to the US and Europe have helped spread the word about some of authentic cuisines, such as baba ghanoush, hummus, and halva. Owing to this, consumers around the globe have been introduced to tahini, which in turn has augured well for creating the demand in local markets. The global tahini market has received a fillip owing to the popularity of tahini around the globe.

Factors Restraining the Demand of Tahini

Fluctuation in Availability of Sesame Seeds

Availability of sesame seeds, from which tahini is made, is seasonal. The prices of sesame seeds fluctuate every year, making it very difficult for manufacturers to plan for the future. Variation in the availability of sesame seeds disrupts the supply chain, and inhibits the growth of the market.

Political Instability in Middle East

Political instability in Middle East has disrupted trade and commerce many times. The food and beverage sector has also not remained untouched by the political uncertainty, owing to which supply of essential commodities has suffered. Export of tahini from some Middle East companies has witnessed a decline after reports of skirmishes emerged in the region.

High Cost of Tahini

Although the benefits of tahini have made it popular among consumers all around the world, its high cost impedes its widespread acceptance, especially in developing nations, where price sensitivity is an important factor. The high cost of tahini has often led consumers to opt for jams, peanut butters, and other spreads, even in cases where consumers know about the lower nutritional content.

Tahini market globally is anticipated to witness steady growth through 2020, owing to higher awareness and demand from consumers, especially in Middle East and Mediterranean.

Browse Full "Tahini Market: Middle East and Mediterranean Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2015 - 2020" Market Research Report at http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/details/tahini-market