Preview: Sweets & Snacks Middle East to Showcase Regional Development
As the market for sweets and snacks in the MENA region continues to grow and Sweets & Snacks Middle East is the gateway to clients from the Middle East as well as North Africa, the figures for the trade fair are once again indicating outstanding registration rates – six months in advance of the event.
The fair taking place from November 9-11, 2014 in Dubai is almost fully booked up. Additionally, a significant growth in the number of exhibitors as well as in rented floor space is expected.
Among the companies already registered are Bodeta (Germany), Candelite (UAE), Confetti Crispo (Italy), Duc D’O (Belgium), Original Candy (UK) and Roshen (Ukraine). With national pavilions representing Belgium, Brazil, China, Germany, Greece, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Turkey and the USA, the range of international opportunity and offers is extended even further.
The event organisers estimate that over 200 exhibitors from about 40 countries will participate in total (2013: 178 exhibitors from 32 countries). Sweets & Snacks Middle East, produced by Koelnmesse GmbH and the Dubai World Trade Centre, will take place in November 2014 for the eighth time and has developed its status year on year as an important network for the confectionery and snacks trade in the MENA region.
The positive growth forecasts for chocolate, baked goods, ice-cream and savoury snacks in the Gulf States, in particular, underline the relevance of Sweets & Snacks Middle East as the central platform in this region.
Region Overview
Over the last three years, there has been considerable growth in countries in the Gulf region. In Saudi Arabia, for example, sales volume has grown by six per cent. In the UAE, there has been an increase of almost eight per cent and in Kuwait an increase of nine per cent (all figures courtesy of Nielsen, by SG Network). Customer purchasing preferences in confectionery and snacks in the Gulf States differ significantly. In Saudi Arabia, consumers favour baked goods, according to reported quantities consumed, followed by savoury snacks and ice-cream. In the UAE, figures point to a particular love of ice-cream. In Kuwait, the preference is for baked goods as well as savoury snacks. There is an overall growth in the consumption of chocolate, a luxury product on the rise.
In order to further promote commercial activity generated by Sweets & Snacks Middle East, the “Hosted Buyer Programme“, first introduced in 2013, will continue to be developed. A variety of selected services will make the event even more attractive for top buyers. Sweet & Snacks Middle East principally targets industry visitors from the Gulf region, its neighbouring states as well as North African countries. In 2013, more than 6,200 buyers from 75 countries registered for the event.
In parallel with Sweets & Snacks Middle East, a range of other trade fairs will take place. The Speciality Food Festival, SEAFEX & Gulfood Manufacturing offer exhibitors and visitors the opportunity of further synergising their visit.