6. Fruit and Veg Revival
While consumers are familiar with the “5-Portions-A-Day” mantra promoted by government bodies around the world, many food manufacturers are now incorporating fruit and vegetables in a wide range of products. Leading pasta manufacturer, Barilla now produces a pasta that includes carrots, while Gulfood exhibitor Del Monte now offers one of the most extensive fruit and vegetable product ranges in the world – from freeze-dried through to fresh, frozen, canned, vacuum packed and juiced. Fruit based snacks are also gaining ground around the world, from banana crisps through to freeze-dried cranberries and ‘fruit leather’.

7. For Your Own Good
Consumer demand is increasing for food and beverages that include inherent health benefits, from anti-oxidants to probiotics and beyond. Dairy products and cereals lead the way in taking this trend to the mass market. Companies such as Fortitech Inc., the world leader in the development of custom nutrient premixes, Andre Ingedients, who provide 50 different types of pectin products, and Sternvitamin, a renowned developer of vitamin and mineral premixes, will exhibit their latest innovations and ‘star nutrients of today and tomorrow’ at this year’s exhibition.

8. Time for Tea
Thanks to green tea being recognised globally for its health benefits, the category is now booming with tea and tea-fruit juice blends. Many now lean towards exotic fruits to take advantage of the health and wellness trends, as well as globalisation’s growing ethnic flavour offerings. These combinations are incorporating super-fruits of the moment like açai, carambola and pomegranate. Leading Thai manufacturer Mulberry Tea Company is adding a green tea produced from mulberry leaves to its range at Gulfood, and Jafferjee & Sons have announced that they will be unveiling a “unique and unconventional” selection of tea products exclusively at the event.

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9. Making a Mint
Symrise returns to the exhibition, highlighting a growing trend globally for menthol, specifically for the confectionery market producing gums and mints. The company, which manufactures a synthetic menthol flavour with a nature identical molecule, has the advantage of assuring a constant supply of the popular flavouring, undeterred by adverse harvests or weather conditions.

10. Population Paths
While population statistics in developed markets such as the US and Europe lean towards an ageing market looking for products offering cognitive and physical functionality benefits later in life, in developing markets such as the Middle East up to 50% of the population demographic is under the age of 25. This means a completely different focus in the food and beverage sector, with snack and convenience foods offering strong opportunities for market growth.

Gulfood is strictly a trade-only event and is open to business and trade visitors from within the industry only. Complimentary registration is available in advance online. Industry business professionals on the day of the show will be able to buy either a Day Pass for AED 75, or a Four Day Pass for AED 150.

 

Gulfood is open from 11am – 7pm Sunday 27 February 2011 to Tuesday 1 March 2011 and from 11am – 5pm on Wednesday 2 March.

For more information, please visit www.gulfood.com.