Gulfood news
The 2016 edition of Gulfood is set to welcome more than 5,000 international companies from 120 countries at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
Among the 85,000-plus visitors from more than 170 countries expected, Gulfood 2016 will host international heads of state, ministers, government officials and national trade associations from five continents.
With event and year-round legacy trading expected to run into billions of dollars, Gulfood 2016 will connect nations and suppliers, open distribution channels for industry-related business, and highlight Dubai’s strategic role as a key global food industry trading hub, on the lines of this year’s theme ‘More Tastes, More Trends and More Trade’.
Led by the nation’s Ministry of Agriculture, Gulfood 2016 will also welcome its first Russian national pavilion — one of 117 national pavilions spanning in excess of 120,000m2 of multi-functional indoor exhibition space and two purpose-built, temporary structures spanning a 10,900m2 at DWTC. The expanded indoor exhibition space includes three new DWTC halls — Za’abeel 4, 5 and 6.
“Gulfood is internationally renowned for providing a trusted and accessible platform for the world’s food industry to meet, transact and trade out of Dubai — one of the world’s most diverse, energetic and vibrant trading hubs,” said Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president, exhibitions & events management, DWTC.
“As global food producers and traders establish new supply routes to reach customers and monetise opportunities in emerging markets, the heightened visitor experience will enable industry heavyweights to make strategic purchasing decisions with trusted suppliers, all while consolidating the UAE’s key role as a major trans-shipment destination for food products and hospitality equipment,” added LohMirmand.
The show-floor culinary demonstrations will peak at the annual Emirates Culinary Guild International Salon Culinaire — a showcase of the region’s best culinary talent and expertise. One of Gulfood’s undisputed draws for the regions’ top professional chefs, pastry chefs, cooks and bakers, this year’s Salon will see more than 1,300 professional chefs evaluated by a panel of 25 renowned experts, mandated by the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) to judge culinary events across the globe. An in-depth report on this year’s Salon Culinaire is featured in sister publication Caterer Middle East.
With the number of F&B outlets in the UAE expected to double by 2020 when Dubai hopes to receive 20 million tourists as the emirate hosts Expo Dubai 2020 —food service and hospitality equipment is an expanded focus at Gulfood 2016.
Every year, thousands of F&B products and services debut at Gulfood and the seventh Gulfood Awards will recognise excellence of individuals and companies behind the region’s innovation in the food and drink industry. Judged by an international panel of independent industry experts, the Gulfood Awards will cover six categories and 10 accolades.
Gulfood 2016 is a strictly trade-only event for business and trade visitors. The show is open 11am-7pm from February 21-24 and 11am-5pm on February 25. Visitors can pre-register at www.gulfood.com to save AED 100 (US$ 27) on the AED 300 (US$ 81.70) on-site entry fee.
UAE coffee market set to grow by over 30%
The UAE’s coffee market is expected to grow by over 30% in the next four years as the country’s trading hub emerges as a key supply cog in the global coffee supply chain. With domestic demand continuing an upward surge with over 4,000 tea and coffee houses now operating in the country and 82% of the population saying they consume coffee each day, according to Zagat, the UAE is increasingly seen as both a growing consumer and re-export market for coffee beans and refined finished product.
Euromonitor International says the country sits at the centre of a region which now accounts for 8%, or US $6.5 billion, of the $85 billion global consumer spend on coffee — and that this could increase by up to a third by 2030. In 2014, the UAE alone spent $121 million on coffee consumption.
Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president, exhibitions & events management, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), agreed as she is seeing huge space demand from suppliers, traders and roaster and finished product equipment manufacturers at Gulfood.
Of the 70 coffee producing countries worldwide, major exporters Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia, Columbia, Ethiopia, India and Mexico will all be present at Gulfood 2016. In addition to buyer delegations from the world’s two largest traditional importers — the United States and Japan — attending the show, Gulfood will welcome more than 200 specialist coffee manufacturing, trading, roasting and packaging companies from around the world. Coffee sector exhibitors range from the UAE’s Karam and other emerging markets players from the MENA region, South Asia and Africa, to household heavyweights Lavazza and Illycaffé (illy) from Italy.
Gulfood 2016 to offer a platform for 117 pavilions
Gulfood has topped its own record by confirming its largest country and pavilion line-up to date for the 2016 event. This year, the show will feature 117 pavilions — five more than last year — with first-time group participation from Russia, Costa Rica, Belarus, Mauritius and New Zealand, the Oceania nation returning after a six-year break.
“The sheer scale of the pavilions and their extensive membership lives up to our promise of delivering more taste, more trends and more trade,” said Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president, exhibitions & events management, DWTC.
Italy will operate the event’s largest pavilion with more than 190 companies occupying 3,956m2, while a few Italian producers will have their own specialised stands. Italy is focusing on ultra-high-end producs from fresh fruits and vegetables, to dairy — mainly cheese — pulses, dried and canned foods, dried and frozen foods, grocery products, olive oils and vinegar, juices, sweets and snacks. The Italian pavilion will also host several specialist manufacturers of hospitality equipment and coffee and gelato machinery.
Turkey will also be out in force with 103 exhibitors marketing beverages and beverage equipment, finished food and beverage products, food service hospitality and restaurant and café equipment.
The Netherlands is planning a strong presence with the Netherlands Council for Trade Promotion’s pavilion — having exhibited every year since 1995 — housing 54 companies across the dairy, deep-frozen, fresh vegetables, fresh/deep-frozen meat, conserves, traders, oils, sauces, grocery, fine food and drinks sector.
Britain’s Catering Equipment Suppliers Association (CESA) will pack 24 companies into a 330m2 pavilion that is 40% larger than its 2015 offering.
Kenya is boosting its Gulfood presence with a pavilion 48% larger than last year that will focus largely on tea and coffee produce, while Egypt is weighing in with 125 companies covering a multi-commodity profile including freshly frozen fruit and vegetables, confectionery, dairy and dates.
Western Australia’s Department of Agriculture and Food is spearheading 10 companies at the show , while, back for its third Gulfood promotion, the small Eastern European state of Moldova is looking to expand its export reach for a wide range of agricultural and processed food products that currently account for 40% of the country’s GDP.
Halal World Food returns to Gulfood
The UAE’s advancing status as an international centre for halal food trading is evidenced by Halal World Food — the world’s biggest annual halal food sourcing trade event — featuring more than 800 certified suppliers in only its third year. “Adding more than 100 new halal food companies highlights a leap in demand as major local, regional and international halal food producers explore new areas of business opportunity and investment,” said Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president, exhibitions & events management, DWTC.
“The increase in our halal exhibitors and companies is being driven by investment opportunities across the halal food value chain, halal food SMEs seeking Islamic financing for working capital, trade financing and expansion needs, M&A opportunities, organic, pure and wholesome new products, halal ingredients and co-operation on building global or regional brands that deliver on halal integrity.”