Middle East & Africa Residue Testing Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, And Global Industry Analysis: By Type (Toxins, Pesticide Residues, Allergens, Veterinary Drugs, and Heavy Metal), By Technology (Chromatography Based, Spectroscopy, Immunoassay, and Other Technologies), By Application (Dairy Products, Fruits & Vegetables, Meat & Poultry, Cereals, Grains & Pulses, Processed Foods, Functional Food Ingredients, and Nuts, Seeds & Spices), and Country Forecast 2020-2031

Middle East & Africa Residue Testing Market size was valued at US$ 380 million in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 540 million by 2031, growing at a significant CAGR of 5.4% from 2025-2031. The market is a defined sector dedicated to the analysis and identification of undesired compounds, such as pesticides, chemicals, or pollutants, in food, agricultural products, animal feeds, and water. The Middle East & Africa (MEA) Residue Testing Market is primarily driven by the enforcement of stringent food safety regulations and export compliance mandates. As international markets demand stricter residue limits in food exports, MEA producers are increasingly adopting testing protocols to meet global standards. This is especially critical in high-export segments such as meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables.

Supplementing this regulatory push is rising consumer awareness of food safety, increasing agrochemical usage in farming, and expanding access to modern analytical technologies like chromatography and mass spectrometry. A key trend shaping the market is the shift toward portable and rapid testing tools, enabling real-time, on-site residue analysis. Integration of blockchain and digital traceability solutions is also gaining momentum, particularly in premium and export-oriented supply chains. At the same time, the growing preference for organic and clean-label food is encouraging more frequent testing across value chains.

The opportunity lies in rising investments in food infrastructure, lab capabilities, and traceability tools, driven by the need to boost export readiness. However, market growth is restrained by inadequate lab infrastructure, limited skilled personnel, high testing costs, and uneven regulatory harmonization across MEA countries. These factors present challenges, especially for small-scale producers and low-income regions.

Facts & Figures

• Stringent Food Safety & Export Regulations: Regulatory enforcement for Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) is intensifying across MEA, especially for export compliance. For instance, in February 2025, the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) updated MRL standards for 50+ pesticides in line with Codex guidelines to protect export potential.
• Rising Agricultural Input Use: Increased use of pesticides and veterinary drugs in crop and livestock production is raising residue risk. For instance, in March 2025, South Africa's National Department of Agriculture reported a 12% rise in pesticide imports YOY, triggering expanded residue surveillance across citrus exports.
• Government Investment in Laboratory Infrastructure: The Public sector is actively funding lab upgrades and building national testing frameworks. For instance, in January 2025, Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture inaugurated a new pesticide residue lab in Giza to support its fruit and vegetable export program.
• Expansion of Export-Oriented Food Processing: More MEA food processors are targeting EU, US, and Asian markets, where residue testing is non-negotiable. For instance, in May 2025, Kenya signed a horticultural trade deal with Germany requiring full-spectrum pesticide residue testing through ISO-accredited labs.

Key Developments:

• In April 2025, SGS Gulf enhanced its UAE presence by investing in GC and LC-MS technologies, focusing on food safety compliance in key export commodities.
• In February 2025, Eurofins introduced on-site mobile laboratories across the region, equipped with LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS to support rapid pesticide and contaminant analysis for exporters.
• In January 2025, PolyAnalytik partnered with UAE-based Concorde Corodex Group to launch Corodex Life Sciences, an advanced analytical CRO in the Middle East targeting molecular and residue testing.

Middle East & Africa Residue Testing Market Segmentation:

Based on the type:

• Toxins
• Pesticide Residues
• Food Allergens
• Veterinary Drugs
• Heavy Metal

In the market, the pesticide residues segment holds the largest market share. This dominance is driven by the high use of agrochemicals in crop production, especially in countries exporting fruits, vegetables, and grains to regions like the EU, where strict Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) are enforced. With increasing international scrutiny and regulatory alignment, pesticide residue testing has become routine for export-focused agribusinesses and government checkpoints. Moreover, public health concerns regarding food safety have further boosted this segment. In contrast, the toxins segment currently holds the smallest market share due to relatively lower awareness and testing infrastructure for naturally occurring contaminants like mycotoxins.

Based on the technology:

• Chromatography Based (HPCL, GC, LC, LC-MS/MS)
• Spectroscopy
• Immunoassay
• Other Technologies

In the market, chromatography-based technologies (such as HPLC, GC, LC, and LC-MS/MS) hold the largest market share due to their high precision, sensitivity, and ability to detect multiple residue types in a single run. These methods are widely used in food safety laboratories and government-regulated export testing due to their accuracy in quantifying pesticide residues, veterinary drugs, and toxins. Chromatography is considered the gold standard for compliance with international food trade standards. Conversely, immunoassay technology, while faster and cost-effective for screening, holds a smaller share due to its limited scope, sensitivity variation, and qualitative nature.

Based on the application:

• Dairy Products
• Fruits & Vegetables
• Meat & Poultry
• Cereals, Grains & Pulses
• Processed Foods
• Functional Food Ingredients
• Nuts, Seeds & Spices

In the market, the Fruits & Vegetables segment holds the largest market share. This dominance stems from the region's high volume of fresh produce exports to markets with stringent Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) standards, such as the EU and Asia. Frequent pesticide application in cultivation, combined with global demand for residue-free produce, drives continuous testing in this category. Additionally, government residue monitoring programs prioritize fruit and vegetable exports due to their perishability and sensitivity to contamination. On the other hand, the Functional Food Ingredients segment holds the smallest market share, largely due to limited local processing and lower regulatory pressure on niche health ingredients.