* Gulfood Manufacturing to draw attention to meaty opportunities within the halal sector
* With consumer preference for quality and safe products fueling strong growth of USD667 million global Halal food industry, exhibitors descend on region’s largest food manufacturing trade show to demonstrate latest solutions to meet rising demand
The global halal industry has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years, driven by rising populations and a seismic shift in consumer preference towards high-quality, safe and ethical products.
According to the Global Halal Industry Overview report by Edbiz Consulting with Nasdaq OMX Global Indexes, the Halal food market alone has recorded strong growth over the past decade with an estimated value of USD667 million and now represents almost 20 per cent of the overall global food industry.
The same report states that when taking into account the contributing factors, consumption of Halal food is set to grow at an annual rate of approximately 16 per cent. The UAE meanwhile, has set the global benchmark in Halal certification, with the Emirates Authority for Standardization & Metrology (ESMA) having implemented legislation in recent years for the certification and control of Halal products.
Given the immense potential and the value of the GCC’s Halal sector exceeding USD50 billion, according to food and agri-business specialists Farrelly and Mitchell, Gulfood Manufacturing 2017, which runs from 31 October to 2 November at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) presents the perfect opportunity for hundreds of local, regional and international exhibitors across the food industry supply chain, including 144 halal exhibitors in the ingredients sector, to showcase the latest products and solutions to meet the growing demand for Halal.
“The Halal sector across the world has witnessed tremendous growth in recent years and the UAE has forged ahead as a leader in the industry in setting the highest standards. Influential manufacturers and leading Halal food supply chain professionals now increasingly see the benefit of exhibiting at Gulfood Manufacturing, the Middle East’s largest ingredients, processing, packaging, and logistics exhibition,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions and Events Management, DWTC.
“With 1,600 global suppliers of latest food ingredients, processing, packaging and logistics solutions making their way to the show, I believe this platform undoubtedly help the emirate achieve its objective of becoming the capital of the Islamic Economy bolstered by its trade of halal goods”, added LohMirmand.
Demonstrating a unique halal certified product is the Egypt based exhibitor Kamena Products Corporation, which will showcase its seasoning blend Sprinkle – that can be used to flavor fries, salads, popcorn and more, with flavours including Mexican Cheese, Paprika, Chili-Lemon, Kebab and Jalapeño.
Samy Anton, Regional Export Sales Manager at Kamena Products Corporation, said: “We believe that the Gulfood Manufacturing, as one of the most important events for the food industry in the Middle East, will assist our company in achieving our expansion strategy and help increase our international clients’ base in the Middle East.
“Having a very strong capability to develop flavours that suit Middle East tastes and preferences that, we hope to reach out to our markets of interests such as Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait, in addition the African nations such as Sudan, Ethiopia, Libya, Algeria, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda.”
