ISM Middle East organisers praise exhibitors for another successful show

The organising team behind this year’s ISM Middle East has hailed the success of its 2025 edition, as the show closes its doors for another year after an action-packed three days in Dubai, reports Neill Barston,

Confectionery Production was on-hand as a media partner for this year’s event, which saw well over 600 companies exhibit from around the world, from as far afield as China, US, Thailand and across Europe, all eager to make their mark on the UAE market.

Among stand-out products this year, the event saw a heightened presence for manufacturers of Dubai Chocolate, which continues to be on something of a roll in terms of its development. There were also a huge range of hard/soft candies, premium chocolate bar series, and as well as another strong trend for freeze-dried confectionery options that were in evidence.

Speaking to Confectionery Production, Mark Napier, vice president for events at Dubai’s World Trade Centre, enthused that there had been plenty of positivity surrounding this year’s event.

He said: “This really has been our best ISM Middle East yet, there’s really is something quite exciting going on in this marketplace at this point in time. Globally, the confectionery industry within this part of the world is worth $389 billion which is a huge number. Underlying that is underlined by the manufacturing and trade backdrop to the sector.

“There has been talk around sugar taxes and trade tariffs and that’s changed the dynamic of where and how to manufacturer. Alongside the conference programme that has been outstanding, we were looking at the story behind Dubai Chocolate where you are seeing viral trends that are now populating around the world,” noted the senior executive, who enthused that the UAE’s duty free segment in particular is enjoying strong fortunes, as much as its general market is succeeding in spite of wider trading headwinds in many locations around the world at present.

Sharing his optimism for the event, Inga Drawe, of Kolenmesse, who has served as ISM director for the past year, felt a considerable degree of optimism surrounding its 2025 iteration.

She said: “I am more than pleased with the results of this year’s show, we have had some fantastic days here, and it’s great to see the event come alive. There has been a real buzz, with crowded halls and lots of smiling faces, with the exhibitors I’ve had the chance to speak to have been highly satisfied with this year’s event.

“They have reported that they’ve had some very good conversations and meetings with visitors, and noting that they will definitely be returning. So it has been a really good show, with our 2025 event being record-breaking featuring two additional halls,” she explained, noting that the quality of exhibition stands, as well as the overall level of innovation on display had contributed to raising the bar of this year’s performance.

= See our next edition of Confectionery Production for a full extended coverage of the 2025 iteration of ISM Middle East.