Big growth in food and beverage market reflected in growing success of the Jeddah food/hotel/propac arabia exhibition

The last edition attracted over 10,000 professional visitors from across Saudi Arabia and neighbouring countries, and deals worth many millions of US dollars were reported by exhibitors. Visitors were not only presented with a diverse range of products and services by a broad exhibitor profile of international and leading Saudi companies, but also entertained during the exhibition by the enthralling TopChef and 'Art de Table' competitions.

The Turkish exhibitor Marsa Kraft Foods, a seasoned exhibitor participating for the fourth time, was elated, "We were impressed by the professionals and serious businessmen .....and we have done business of more than $100,000". Within the hotel arabia section, the Do Food Co, a member of the Thai group, was ecstatic with their participation " As a result of our participation we are expecting to sign some 'big' airline deals in Saudi Arabia soon".

The exhibition, organised by Al Harithy Company for Exhibitions (www.acexpos.com), is the Kingdom's only dedicated international event that showcases the entire spectrum of the food, beverage, hotel, catering, and food processing and packaging sectors. Attracting participation from around the globe, both individual and national pavilions, the exhibition has a truly international flavour.

Fuelled by escalating oil prices the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is seeing strong economic growth and attracting huge investments. The Kingdom's food sector is particularly capitalising on the strength of the economy, investment and rapidly increasing population.

Importing annually over US$7 billion of food and beverage products Saudi Arabia is the Gulf Region's largest market for food and beverage products, and represents in excess of 60% of all regional imports.

The Kingdom's rapidly growing population, higher disposable incomes and greater exposure to international trends have generated heightened consumer awareness and increased demand across the entire spectrum of the food and beverage sectors. This is especially true amongst the younger population (60% are under the age of twenty) where lifestyle changes are helping to create a more discriminating consumer as well as leading to a rising demand for ready-to-eat meals (that currently account for some 16% of packaged food sales).

Lifestyle changes have also led to a change in the retailing of grocery products with a major trend toward Western style hypermarkets and supermarkets as opposed to the traditional 'bakalah' corner grocery shop. Indeed, such is the growing importance of hypermarkets and supermarkets that shopping at these establishments is considered a primary form of entertainment for the entire Saudi family.

The growing population ensures that Saudi Arabia's need for imported food stuffs will continue to increase in the future, and the rapidly changing grocery retail outlets, with their vast requirements of product ranges, will provide opportunities unrivalled in the Gulf and ensure the on going success of food/hotel/propac arabia, the Kingdom's national showcase and the Region's international forum.