F&B specialists from 120 countries bring solutions from all corners of the globe to Gulfood, seeking to feed soaring MEA needs. Trade ministers and top-level decision makers feature prominently among global food industry delegations descending on Gulfood 2019. It returns to Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 17-21 February.
The event will host 5,000 local, regional and international exhibitors who will be displaying innovative, new-to-market products and solutions. National zones from West to Far-East will shine a light on how established and emerging food producing markets are adapting to meet the MENA region’s food and beverage needs. According to Gulfood Global Industry Outlook Report 2018, F&B sales are estimated to reach USD 130 billion in value by 2021.
From Wales to the world
A Welsh Government delegation will lead the country’s Gulfood presence as part of its mission to grow the F&B industry by 30 per cent come 2020. Commenting on the initiative, Lesley Griffiths AM, Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs for the Welsh Government said, “The GCC continues to be a key priority market for Welsh food and drink exports, which recorded 41.6 per cent growth between 2014 and 2018, with 19.3 per cent growth in the UAE alone.”
French flavor
Traditional food industry powerhouse France will highlight the country’s multifaceted export potential with a beefed-up Gulfood presence at this year’s show. Led by Business France, the national agency which supports the international development of the country’s economy, French companies will span four of eight Gulfood segments: Dairy; Meat and Poultry; Beverages and World Food.
France exported more than USD1.4 billion worth of products to the GCC in 2017. French food exports to the UAE have grown by more than 213 per cent since 2010 and reached USD 446 million in 2017. “The F&B export industry is vital for our sustainability and it is something we work on and produce with passion,” said Marc Cagnard, Managing Director at Business France Middle East.
Made in Germany
Some 70 German companies will be represented across four halls, displaying an array of culinary specialties and new and innovative products featuring the renowned “Made in Germany” trademark. Elaborating, Hans-Joachim Fuchtel, Vice-Minister for Food and Agriculture said, “We are delighted to be at Gulfood for the 10th time. Come and meet the German exhibitors at Gulfood 2019, find out about German foods and taste some light refreshments from Germany offered by our show-kitchen or on-site at the company booths.”
Enterprise Singapore, the government agency championing trade and enterprise development, heads to Gulfood amid a burgeoning food trade relationship with the UAE. The Emirates are one of the city state’s top destinations for food exports, with trade standing at USD 70.2 million in 2018. At Gulfood, the Tasty Singapore area – a ‘supermarket meets technology’ concept – will see 46 Singapore food companies, including 14 first-time participants, display new ingredients, products and technological developments in food manufacturing, packaging and retailing.
Europe can answer the region’s food needs
Making its Gulfood debut this year, the European Union (EU) will highlight the diversity and quality of food products from across the 28-country bloc led by Agriculture and Rural Development commissioner Phil Hogan. The UAE ranks as the EU’s 13th biggest export market for agri-food products, the value of which reached USD 3.3 billion in 2017.
The EU’s presence will complement its member states’ individual stands at Gulfood by focusing on live cooking shows and masterclasses in Gulfood’s Tastes of the World area. Chef Charles Soussin, from France and Celebrity Chef Mona Mosly from KSA (jury of Top Chef Arabia) will demonstrate the quality and adaptability of EU products through exclusive recipes mixing European and Arabic flavors.
“The Middle East and Africa are poised for robust F&B growth between now and 2021, which puts Gulfood top of the agenda for existing exporters and market newcomers,” explained Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions and Events, DWTC.
Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector.
Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC).
She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book.
She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter.
Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler.
It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.
