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| Source: Gulfood website. |
The 2015 edition of Gulfood, the world’s largest annual food and hospitality trade show, marks the 20th anniversary for one of the most important international platforms for the global food trade.
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| Source: Gulfood. |
Gulfood 2015 is a unique trade and sourcing platform for finished food suppliers, bulk commodity wholesalers and exporters across the spectrum of fresh, frozen, dry and processed food and beverage products. Driven by a fast-growing population, burgeoning hospitality and tourism markets and its prominent position as a re-export hub, the UAE’s demand for food staples is increasing at a rate of 30% every year, according to the Ministry of Economy coupled with the observation from Euromonitor that the number of F&B outlets in the UAE is expected to double in the next four years, and Gulfood becomes all the more significant.
To take place from 8 to 12 February at Dubai World Trade Center, Gulfood continues to connect nations and suppliers, open distribution channels for industry-related business, and highlight Dubai’s strategic role as a key trading hub for the global food industry.
“By providing a convenient and strategic meeting platform for traders and investors from around the world, Gulfood is perfectly positioned to facilitate food trade through Dubai and contribute to the growth and development of the UAE’s increasingly diverse economy,” said Trixie Loh Mirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC. “Focusing on providing traders and investors with real added value, the 20th edition of the show will be more influential than ever with business transactions expected to reach an all-time high.”
The 2014 event broke records for showfloor and year-round legacy sales, and Gulfood 2015 – the biggest edition in the show’s history – is expected to do even better. February’s show will span more than 127,000m² of exhibition space, including a 23,000m², purpose-built temporary structure - the largest of its type regionally. The biggest European showcase ever and the largest South American participation to date have also been confirmed.
Gulfood 2015 is expected to attract more than 4,800 international companies from 120 countries and over 85,000 visitors from 170 countries. The US pavilion alone - with almost 200 companies participating - generated showfloor and legacy sales of more than US$300 million.
The 2014 event broke records for showfloor and year-round legacy sales, and Gulfood 2015 – the biggest edition in the show’s history – is expected to do even better. February’s show will span more than 127,000m² of exhibition space, including a 23,000m², purpose-built temporary structure - the largest of its type regionally. The biggest European showcase ever and the largest South American participation to date have also been confirmed.
Gulfood 2015 is expected to attract more than 4,800 international companies from 120 countries and over 85,000 visitors from 170 countries. The US pavilion alone - with almost 200 companies participating - generated showfloor and legacy sales of more than US$300 million.
Thousands of food and beverage products and services are introduced every year at Gulfood and the Gulfood Awards - in its sixth edition this year - presents an opportunity for best-in-class excellence to be recognised and rewarded. The accolades celebrate both people and companies behind the region’s leadership and innovation in the food and drink industry. Judged by an international panel of independent industry experts, the Awards will take place on 10 February at the Conrad Hotel in Dubai.
One of Gulfood’s undisputed draws for the regions’ top professional chefs, pastry chefs, cooks and bakers every year is the annual Emirates Culinary Guild International Salon Culinaire – a showcase of the region’s best culinary talent and expertise. Held in Za’abeel Pavilion, 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. Dubai has become a global gateway for foodstuff commodities trade. The UAE is the world’s largest re-exporter of rice, importing rice from 32 countries and exporting it to more than 80 countries globally. It is also the world’s biggest re-exporter of tea. The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) expected to facilitate more than 7.5 million kg of re-exported tea by the end of 2014.
With imports accounting for between 80-90% of GCC food consumption, Dubai is best placed to cater for increasing demand in regional food trading. According to Dubai Customs, Dubai’s foreign trade for foodstuff including re-exports came to AED21.5 billion in Q1 2014 – 17% higher year-on-year. In this context, a renewed focus on commodities such as meat, rice, grains, nuts, vegetable oil, coffee, milk, tea at Gulfood 2015 could play an essential role in generating increased revenues from global food transactions.
Due to significant shifts in consumption patterns, particularly in emerging regions such as the Middle East, consumers are moving from carbohydrate-based foods to protein-rich diets, including meat and dairy. While traditional food habits still dominate, the growing GCC population – expected to exceed 50 million by 2020 - and rising affluence regional levels are leading to increased demand for premium protein-rich foods, particularly meat. The Alpen Capital GCC Food Industry Report states that the consumption of meat is expected to grow faster than any other food product through to 2017 at a CAGR of 3.9%, followed by fruits, vegetables, milk and cereals.
With operations in 30 countries, Hakan Agro - one of the world's largest food ingredients supply organisations - will leverage Gulfood 2015 to expand its operational network. Headquartered in Dubai, Hakan Agro specialises in feed ingredients, vegetable protein segments such as pulses (beans, lentils, peas), oilseeds (sesame seeds, ground nuts), spices (ginger, turmeric, cloves), animal feed ingredients, soya beans, soya meal, corn, cereals, dairy products, rice, and frozen poultry and meats.
"We have been avid supporters of and exhibitors at Gulfood for many years and we look forward to showcasing our wide range of animal and vegetable proteins and raw materials at the show's landmark 20th edition," said Sudhakar Tomar, Managing Director, Hakan Agro. "The international food trade meets at Gulfood, making it the perfect platform for our specialist traders and executives to meet visitors and clients with tremendous purchasing power to discuss existing and potential business liaisons."
Gulfood 2015 is a trade-only event and is open to business and trade visitors. The show is open 11am to 7pm from February 8 to 11 and from 11am to 5pm on February 12. The on-site entry fee is AED250.