Fast-rising confectionery and snacks markets in the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa region (APMEA), are forecast to total over $400 billion for the wider region this year, writes Neill Barston.

As our title has previously covered, the market upturn has been driven by a combination of factors, including the comparatively young age demographic in the UAE and elsewhere, as well as factors including a growing private label sector seeking to capture a share of the sector.

The market expansion comes amid preparations for this year’s ISM Middle East, which returns to the Dubai World Trade Centre between 3-5 November, with Confectionery Production set to play its part as a media partner for the key regional event. 

As previously reported by our title, chocolate confectionery is anticipated to feature notably among the hundreds of exhibitors at this year’s event, with or this year’s event. It will include contributors from nations including Italy, Poland, Germany, China, Spain, Türkiye, as well as a fast-rising range of local producers who are helping set a new benchmark for quality and standards in the region. (see our exclusive video review below from 2025).

Moreover, as the organising team noted, confectionery buyers are now contending with an ever-wider range of considerations, including expanding portfolio ranges to include better-for-you options, as well as series that cater for specific dietary requirements. This has further enhanced the overall confectionery landscape, which continues to thrive in spite of wider supply chain challenges and economic headwinds in some territories.

Sweets and snacks prominence
Beyond chocolate ranges, sweets and snacks will also feature heavily, with broad international representation from  Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Pakistan, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, the UAE, the UK and the USA, among other markets.

As the organising team confirmed, European participation includes Germany’s Trolli and Powermints, Spain’s CAFOSA GUM and Productos Churruca, Poland’s Dr Gerard, Italy’s Crispo, Denmark’s Gumlink Confectionery Company and Latvia’s The Beginnings. Collectively, their portfolios reflect the breadth of current category demand, from sour and filled gummies, compressed mints and private-label chewing gum to roasted corn and legume snacks, sandwich biscuits and wafers, snack cakes and croissants, filled chocolates and pralines, and high-fibre oat, fruit-and-nut and protein-led snacks.

The global mix extends across Asia and beyond, with Indonesia’s Yupi Indo Jelly Gum, Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Biscuits and Türkiye’s Akanlar Çikolata İçecek Gıda among the manufacturers bringing regional production expertise and export-ready portfolios to Dubai. 

In addition, the Gulf’s own manufacturing base is also represented by Bahrain’s Amalfi Foods, Dubai-based Blooming Foods FZCO and Saudi Arabia’s Al Wefag Manufacturing, adding locally produced bakery, confectionery, marshmallow and snack products to the international sourcing mix.

Mark Napier, Vice President, ISM Middle East, InD, believed momentum was continuing to grow for the event. He commented: “ISM Middle East brings a distinctive combination of international manufacturing expertise and regional buying demand to Dubai. The value of the event is not simply in the breadth of products on display, but in the opportunity it creates for manufacturers and buyers to meet directly, understand market requirements and develop commercial relationships across APMEA.

“With producers travelling from more than 40 countries, the event provides a concentrated environment for businesses looking to establish new routes to market and for regional buyers seeking new products, suppliers and ideas for their portfolios.”