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2015 show is 25 per cent larger as international sweets and snack producers eye MEA-leading UAE and Saudi Arabiachocolate spenders
Dubai - With the UAE and Saudi Arabia claiming the biggest chunks of the region's annual chocolate spend according to recently released Euromonitordata, a raft of health-conscious, sugar-free snack producers will line-up alongside traditional confectionary producers at Sweets & Snacks Middle East 2015 - the MENA region's leading platform for the international sweets, confectionery and snack industries.
In registering spends of US$38 and US$31 per capita, respectively, the UAE and Saudi Arabia far outstrip the US$4 spend per capita average across the Middle East and Africa.
According to KPMG, regional demand continues to grow with confectionary sales across the GCC forecast to increase 20 per cent this year, while the Saudi Arabia chocolate market alone is predicted to swell 43 per cent in 2016.
Contrastingly, withmore chocolate-based confectionaries readily available in the UAE after a huge rise in retail options and distribution channels, a recent UAE Chocolate Market Opportunities & Forecast 2019 report by TechSci Research has predictedUAE citizens' busier lifestylesarefosteringhigher intakes of high-fat foods and creating a demand from health-conscious consumers for sugar-free chocolates.
Trixie Loh Mirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), which hosts the ninth edition of Sweets & Snack Middle East from 27 - 29 October 2015, revealed more than 300 specialist exhibitors from both sides of the industry will vie for buyers' attention at the show.
"The global confectionary industry continues to experience tremendous growth, as reflected by this year's largest-ever Sweets & Snacks Middle East standing at 25 per cent larger than the 2014 edition," said LohMirmand.
"Consumption habits and spending power on luxury goods in the UAE and Saudi Arabia continue to provide leading international chocolate and confectionery producers with vast regional investment opportunities. As the MEA region's only dedicated industry platform, Sweets & Snacks Middle East provides a tailored sourcing platform for leading buyers, retailers and distributors to explore hordes of diverse confectionary options - both traditional and sugar-free."
With Spanish and UK national pavilions among a host of new countries participating at this year's show,Sweets & Snacks Middle East 2015 - will house mega national pavilions for Turkey, Germany and Egypt - the latter operating itslargest stand since the show's inception in 2007.
Meanwhile, Innova Market Insights - a long-time supporter of Sweets & Snacks Middle East - will highlight 'Snacking Trends to Watch' and give tailored presentations focussing on 'Top 10 Trends 2015: what they mean for the confectionery industry' and 'Snacking Trends: key insights on the diversity of snacking'.
Elsewhere at Sweets & Snacks Middle East 2015, Modern Chocolate - a leading chocolate company headquartered in Turkey -willput its famous chocolate products on display for visitors to taste. With more than 30 years' of experience, Modern Chocolatecan produce 300 different products under cake, biscuit, wafer and chocolate categories from in its fully-automated and high-tech facilities.
One of the biggest FMCG manufacturers in the Middle East, ShirinAsal Group, will feature various products from its portfolio of 60 brands, including chocolate bars and tablets, cocoa powder, cocoa mass, cereal, wafer, cookies and toffees, amongst others.
Sweets & Snacks Middle East 2015 will also host the Innovation Awards 2015, which recognisethe most innovative, market-oriented confectionery and snacks products. Nominees and winners will be displayed at the show's special Innovation Gallery.
Open 10am-6pm from 27- 28 October and from 10am - 5pm on 29 October 2015, Sweets and Snacks Middle East 2015 - - which is co-organised with Koelnmesse GmbH -runs alongside The Speciality Food Festival 2015 and SEAFEX 2015. The three niche food shows are for trade and business professionals only. General public and persons under the age of 21 will not be permitted entry. Registration is available at the show upon proof of trade status.
DWTC's annual trio of niche food shows The Speciality Food Festival, Sweets & Snacks Middle East and SEAFEX cater to three distinct B2B trade platforms. The shows run from 27 - 29 October 2015 at DWTC.
•The Speciality Food Festival caters for producers, suppliers, importers & exporters of gourmet, halal and organic products eager to showcase lines to a target audience of buyers, gourmet chefs, distributors, delicatessens and retail outlets. www.speciality.ae
•SEAFEX Middle Eastis the region's biggest trade fair and sourcing platform for the international seafood industry. www.seafexme.com
•Sweets & Snacks Middle East is a dedicated platform for the international sweets, confectionery and snack industries across the MENA region, presented by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Koelnmesse GmbH. www.sweetsmiddleeast.com
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About DWTC
www.dwtc.com
DWTC brings more than 35 years' experience delivering world-class events in the Middle East and provides local, regional and international exhibitors with unmatched expertise and in-depth market knowledge. Our team organises more than 20 of the largest and most successful international and regional shows in Middle East, providing an ideal platform for business development in the region.Our commitment to on-going innovation within the exhibition industry has supported the rapid growth and development of a wide range of business-to-business and business-to-consumer shows, and delivered consistent satisfaction to exhibitors and visitors. DWTC works with the leading trade bodies and industry associations to ensure that all exhibitions deliver full value and are built upon the real needs of their specific sector.
For more information, please contact:
Rose Manaog
MCS/Action
T: +971 4 3693496
M: rose.m@actionprgroup.com
© Press Release 2015
