Gulfood 2012 boasts more exhibitors than ever

Running from February 19-22, 2012 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gulfood 2012 is set to be bigger than ever before with a record 83 countries, 107 international pavilions and more than 3,800 exhibitors participating in the key global industry event.

“Gulfood is now internationally recognised as one of the key trading platforms for the industry. This is a position that we continue to expand on through the showcasing of the broadest range of products, ingredients, services and technologies for the food and hospitality sectors,” said Trixee Loh, senior vice president, Dubai World Trade Centre, the organiser of Gulfood.

“Three quarters of the buyers who attend Gulfood make purchasing decisions at the show, which illustrates not only the value and variety of products, but also the caliber and competitiveness of the exhibitors.”

With home markets increasingly over-saturated, many of the world’s food trade companies are looking to emerging markets to deliver sustainable growth. Strategically positioned at the centre of trade between east and west, Gulfood’s host city Dubai plays a key role in the exhibition’s ongoing success.

Companies from countries as far afield as Argentina, Australia, China, France, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, USA and Vietnam are confident of strong trading results at Gulfood 2012.

With a world-class logistics, trade and business infrastructure, and a progressive approach to its expansion to meet growing demand – Jebel Ali port will undergo an $850 million expansion in 2012 and the cargo-dedicated Dubai World Central Airport is on track for an increase in capacity – Dubai remains the hub for the re-export market into the Middle East, Asia, Africa and increasingly, Eastern Europe.

More than 1 million square feet of exhibition space has been dedicated to Gulfood, together with Restaurant & Café Middle East and Ingredients Middle East, the co-located shows that run alongside to deliver a full-circle offering to the industry’s professionals.

A well-established feature at Gulfood, the Dubai International Food Safety Conference, organised by the Dubai Municipality, will address essential food safety systems, regulations and best practices within the manufacturing, retailing and food service sectors of the industry.