Confectionery Production confirmed as official media partner for Gulfood Manufacturing
Confectionery Production magazine is set to return again as an official media partner of this year’s Gulfood Manufacturing event in Dubai.
The global industry showcase, which will feature a total of 2,000 exhibitors displaying a host of new technology, processes and concepts anticipated to forge major market trends for the Middle East and North African region.
As event organisers explained to Confectionery Production, this year will see a heightened focus on key issues such as equipment efficiency, robotics enhancements, Internet of Things (IOT) developments, potential for block chain, and the latest ingredients trends.
Significantly for the confectionery market, Gulfood will take place as a co-located event with Yummex sweets and snacks show, in addition to Private Label & Licensing Middle East, creating the region’s equivalent of ISM and ProSweets sector showcases taking place each January in Cologne, Germany.
Major names from across the industry have already been confirmed for the event, including equipment businesses such as Aasted, Bosch, Sacmi, Carugil, Cavanna, Cepi, Ecomec, GEA and Mecatherm, as well as ingredients specialists such as Sensient.
For 2019’s Gulfood Manufacturing, which marks its sixth edition, providers of supply chain logistics solutions can be seen catering to more specific, higher volume and higher value shopping lists from food manufacturers. In order to produce food options that are fast, affordable and easily accessible in line with consumer demand, today’s solutions are integrating advanced automation and data analytics for better energy and temperature control, instant product traceability, SKU precision and faster delivery times.
Middle market F&B companies are more inclined than ever to implement these innovational changes, while UAE operators in particular can be seen revisiting their business strategies in order to improve their operational efficiencies through 2019 and beyond. According to industry reports, 22% of F&B companies have already installed advanced automation systems, while Artificial Intelligence in F&B is to register an astounding 65.3% CAGR over the next five years.
According to the Gulfood Outlook Report commissioned to Euromonitor International in 2019, the Middle East & North Africa is where F&B consumption is highest globally, with the region also forecast to lead the health and wellness packaged market thanks to a 9.9% growth rate, set to be worth US$31.6 billion by 2023.
The report also revealed that of all business segments, food manufacturers are the most optimistic, with two thirds forecasting growth in revenues in the next 12 months and only 5% expecting a drop. Perhaps fittingly, production costs are now confirmed to be the biggest focus for the food industry– highlighting major opportunities for exhibitors at Gulfood Manufacturing where this year’s drive for next level innovation is set to raise the benchmark for international trade exhibitions.
New exhibitors on board for 2019 include Givaudan the world’s largest flavour and fragrance company and Firmenich – another major player in flavours & fragrances worldwide. Growing country pavilions include Italy, Germany, France, Spain, UK and USA.
High profile buyers from MEASA will once again be hosted in Dubai as part of a business traveler tourism drive to increase exhibitor ROI during the show that takes place on 29-31 October 2019 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The events 36,000 strong global visitor base will include 2000 qualified manufacturers with collective budgets in excess of US$ 2 billion. These influential stakeholders are hand-selected annually before being flown into the Emirate to seal deals with the Gulfood Manufacturing community. Networking features include the 2nd Foodtech Summit, the Industry Excellence Awards and the Manufacturing Advice Centre open to all visitors.
This year’s edition of Gulfood Manufacturing will be complemented by its first time co-location with Private Label & Licensing Middle East, the region’s only event of its kind, as well as two finished food events; yummex Middle East covering confectionery and snacks and SEAFEX Middle East covering seafood.
Visitors can register free to attend at gulfoodmanufacturing.com.
Mark Napier, Group Director, portfolio management, Gulfood Manufacturing, highlighted the importance of confectionery within this year’s event. He said: “Increasing demand for confectionery items is a key topic in the industry and many relevant technologies are set to be showcased at Gulfood Manufacturing, from specialist Chocolate Molding Lines to Automatic Panning Systems. Functional dark and sugar-free options are perhaps among the most exciting in today’s health-conscious consumer climate and we look forward to seeing which products take the honours during this year’s Awards event. The shows co-location with yummex Middle East makes this the perfect platform for anyone within the confectionery and snacks supply chain, from manufacturers and researchers to procuring retailers, chefs and international hotel groups.”
