Middle East beverage market offers untapped opportunities

Gulfood 2008, which runs from 24 - 27 February 2008 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC), aims to provide a focused forum of this dynamic sector, through the launch of a dedicated beverage and beverage equipment section which will be supported by a series of specialist Beverage Opportunity Workshops.

Organised by industry specialist Zenith International, the workshops are a series of management and technical briefings on beverage trends, innovation and opportunities for the Gulf region. Speakers include market leading regional companies, Zenith International experts and global suppliers to the industry with a track record of excellence.

Trixee Loh, Exhibitions General Manager, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of Gulfood said: "As a territory which has traditionally relied upon a high volume of beverage imports, this region has become a major market for drinks producers. In recent years, local and regionally-focused firms have captured a significant share of the existing market and helped to create new markets."

"Given this ongoing development and the huge range of economic opportunities that this has created, we felt that it was appropriate to increase the focus on the drinks sector at Gulfood," she added.

With the highest per capita liquid consumption in the world, the Middle East and wider region offers fantastic opportunities for companies in the drinks sector. The United Arab Emirates has reached the highest levels of per capita consumption of 635 litres a year, compared to the global average of 197 litres in 2006. Hot and dusty conditions, a fast-growing population, and increasingly sophisticated demand for "designer" drinks have all fuelled growth in the market.

Bottled water sales in the Middle East have more than doubled in the past five years, according to research from Zenith International. Growth has been spectacular in a number of countries, with a well-established local bottled water industry competing aggressively with international market entrants.

In addition, the region provides a point of entry to emerging Asian markets, with major potential for sustained growth in countries such as India and Pakistan, which have large populations but low bottled water penetration.

Richard Hall, Chairman, Zenith International, said: "With strong growth across the regional market and significant potential in the emerging product categories, we are witnessing unprecedented opportunities in the regional beverage sector in 2008."

Other speciality areas offer additional opportunities for new brands to win significant market share.

Beverage and beverage equipment companies set to participate in this year's show include Animo of The Netherlands, Arrow Juice Factory from Saudi Arabia, Aujan Industries from the UAE, Bon Café from UAE, Bunn Corporation of the USA, Dilmah from Sir Lanka, Nuova Simonelli of Italy, Nespresso and Nestle Waters from the UAE and Power Horse of Austria.

Gulfood is now sold out, registering a 20 percent increase in exhibition space this year and is set to welcome more than 2,500 companies who specialise in the food, drink and hospitality sector. Building on the large international presence at this year's show, over 86 percent of these leading suppliers are from outside of the UAE.

The 13th Gulfood Exhibition, organised by Dubai World Trade Centre, will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 24-27 February 2008.

Gulfood is strictly a trade-only event and is open to business and trade visitors from within the industry only, proof of which must be provided at registration. General public and persons under the age of 21 will not be allowed into the exhibition.