Packaging suppliers are set to target the lucrative UAE market as sector grows rapidly
According to statistics provided by management consultants IMES, per capita consumption of liquid milk in the UAE of around 26 litres per person per year is the foundation of an ever expanding dairy market, around 20% more per person than in Saudi Arabia. With predicted annual growth of at least 8-10%, it is no wonder that packaging suppliers from around the world are taregtting next April's Gulf Pack trade fair as an opportunity to present the region's dairy industry with the latest packaging solutions.
One such company that has this firmly in their sights is SIG Combibloc. Working in conjunction with their regional partners Obeikan, they have made substantial inroads to the Middle Eastern aseptic carton market and continue to support the Gulf Pack event. They are also keen to gain a bigger share of other sectors, including laminated cartons for short life or fresh dairy products. All will be revealed at Gulf Pack.
A myriad of dynamics affect the dairy sector, not least of all the Holy Month of Ramadan. Many Muslims traditionally break their fast with laban and dates, thus creating a huge spike in dairy consumption with comparable increases in demand for various types of packaging, especially gable top cartons and HDPE bottles.
The combined result of milk and laban consumption creates huge market opportunity, predicted to reach 702 million units by 2009. All sectors of the packaging industry are expected to flourish, from cartons and HDPE through to closure and label suppliers.
Add to that the production of yoghurt and labneh, amounting to around 50,000 tonnes per annum, and dairy desserts at more than 715 tonnes, and the sector already exceeds one billion pack units.
According to Dominic McGill, Gulf Pack's event director, the dairy market is just one of the reasons why there has been so much interest in the event. He confidently predicts that next year's show is set to be a sell out. "We have had so much interest in Gulf Pack as a consequence of the very favourable market conditions that many new exhibitors have chosen to take part. National groups from Turkey, India and China are already asking for much more space. They know that this show offers a platform to access the lucrative markets around the Gulf area as well as the UAE's own manufacturing sector."
Gulf Pack is also enjoying regional attention as a consequence of hosting a unique student design competition for packaging and graphics. Students are set to submit entries for the design equivalent of the Oscars, dubbed the "Pandas", the Packaging and Design Awards for Students. "So far universities running design courses have agreed to take part from most GCC countries plus Syria, Lebanon, Tunisia and Egypt," said McGill. The awards and an exhibition of entries will be staged at Gulf Pack 2007.
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More information is available at: www.gulfpack.info
Issued on behalf of Gulf Print by Momentum
For information contact:
Maida Talhami
Tel: +971 4 390 1630
Mobile: +971 50 7347728
Email: maida@momentum.cc
© Press Release 2006
