Product launches
If it’s not a new opening, it’s a new product! Gulfood saw the launch of many new items in the Middle East market, with exhibitors showcasing what they could offer the region’s F&B industry.

Melitta launched two coffee machines — the Caffeina XT6 and the CT8. Key account manager Falko Pluckebaum said: “We’ve worked on these for two years to introduce completely new coffee machines with the latest components.”

The Caffeina XT6 features a new design as well as new grinders, cold and hot milk foam, a milk cooler that can hold up to four litres, a cup warmer, and a touch display for pictures or product names.

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The CT8 coffee-machine is suitable for large consumption and can produce up to 250 cups of coffee per hour. The machine also features a hot and cold milk foam maker and a touch display.

According to Pluckebaum, the cold milk foam is ideal for hot areas in the summer and can be used to make iced coffee or ice lattes.

Another firm, UAE-based distributor Gourmet 360 used Gulfood to increase the profile of gluten free and organic products across the Middle East F&B market. Founded two years ago, Gourmet 360 has since signed agreements with large US-based F&B suppliers such as Bob’s Red Mill, Sarahbeth’s and Sir Kensington’s, to introduce their ranges of organic and health food products into the Middle East.

Gourmet 360 president Natasha Gangaramani said: “We have a range of products, such as Bob’s Red Mill gluten free coconut flour, which is very hard to find in the market here and some suppliers would charge a premium for, as there is high demand and very low supply. However, that is not how we operate. We have very low margins, and we work very closely with our suppliers and with customers in the Middle East.”

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