World of perishables makes its debut in Dubai

Imports of fruit and vegetables in Dubai rose by almost 40% to more than $1bn since 2007, according to a recent market research report.

World of Perishables (WOP) 2009, runs from March 3-5 at the Dubai's Airport Expo and is supported by Al Aweer Market, Dubai's most important fruit and vegetable market. The event will showcase the latest trends in the fresh produce industry and is being held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and Chairman of Dubai Municipality.

Organisers of WOP 2009 say the event has been made possible because of the booming population, which comprises large and diverse expatriate communities keen to buy familiar foodstuffs from their countries of origin. Popular supermarket chain Spinneys has recorded the percentage average of fresh fruit and vegetables in Dubai's supermarkets and hypermarkets as being eight to 12% of total turnover, with most major retailers importing up to 50% of their fruit and vegetables from abroad.

"There is no doubt that it is the diverse and burgeoning nature of the UAE's demographics that has led directly to the increased demand for perishables,"

said Sabina Dillen, Head of Exhibitions at Messe Essen, organisers of the show.

"Fresh produce features highly in people's diets here and the large number of divergent communities that have become established across the region all want fruit and vegetables from their home countries. It is this that has contributed to fuelling the import of such items from all over the world," she added.

The region's thirst for fruit juice has been another significant factor driving demand for perishables. Masafi Juice, one of the top juice brands in the UAE and a regional household name, recorded a 15% growth in sales for the first quarter of 2008 when compared to the same period in the previous year, selling two million juice bottles in three months. The company directly imports fruit from abroad for processing.

"The strategic location of this part of the world has meant a ready availability of relatively cheap and exotic fruits," said Michael Müller, Managing Director of planetfair Dubai LLC, co-organiser of WOP 2009.

"Combined with the hot weather here, this has meant an explosion in juice culture; both from the small street outlets offering freshly squeezed drinks, to supermarket retailed bottled products," he added.

Statistics from the Dubai Central Fruit and Vegetable Market at Al Aweer, which is supporting the expo, also reveal the scale of operations for the regional perishable foodstuff industry.

This huge trading area lists around 700 stores; including companies that provide related services, such as transport, clearing and forwarding. In 2005, Al Aweer received 13,376 trucks, with a planetfair market report from 2008 suggesting that this would rise to 20,000 by the year end. In fact, the total number of recorded delivery vehicles at the close of 2008 had risen to 34,949 trucks - a phenomenal increase of 261% in three years.

"Al Aweer includes 15 to 20 of the UAE's largest direct importers, with renowned fruit, vegetable and juice brands such as Fresh Fruits, Barakat and Schokri Hassan, who have either chosen Dubai as their head office or have at least a central office located there," said Mr. Müller. "Facilities such as the ones found at the market, along with the cool chain process at the Dubai Flower Centre that ensures all products passing through are maintained at the same temperature, have ensured that Dubai has positioned itself as the central hub for fruit and vegetable imports and re-exports," he added.

The first ever regional exhibition dedicated to fruit and vegetables, WOP 2009 covers 4,000 square metres with 80 registered exhibitors from 17 countries. It includes regional market leaders, with well-known names such as Unifrutti Asia, Fresh Fruits Comp and Shokri Hassan playing a part. It is anticipated that 2,500 trade visitors will attend; 40% of these being international guests.

WOP is accompanied by a one day conference featuring supply trends, food safety and logistics. The event takes place alongside the 4th edition IPM Dubai 2009, the region's largest plant and flowers trade fair IPM Dubai with 250 exhibitors from 28 countries.