Products widely available in major hypermarkets and supermarkets in the UAE and over 500 stores across GCC region

Dubai, October 31st, 2012: Mainboard listed Food Empire Holdings, a leading Singapore based food and beverage group, announced that the company will expand its presence in the UAE. 'Klassno', one of Food Empire's leading coffee brands, is currently available across all the major hypermarkets and supermarkets in UAE. The products will also be available in over 500 hypermarkets across GCC region. As per published reports, UAE has been the fastest growing market by volume for coffee in the world with coffee volume sales expected to register an 80% growth from 2009-2014.

"Coffee is an integral part of the Arab world and we aim to provide them with the best blend that we have developed over the years and currently enjoyed by people across the globe. We wanted to redefine the concept of coffee making and drinking in the Middle East and our coffee masters after years of research have developed a perfect blend that suits the tastes of our customers in the region. We have experienced a great demand for our products from across the region and will be expanding our presence across more locations in UAE and the region in order to address this growing demand," said Abhishek Gupta, Country Manager, Food Empire, Middle East.

In the Middle East, Klassno brand includes instant cappuccinos which are available in 5 distinct flavours - 'Irish Cream', 'Mocha', 'Gold', 'Latte' and 'Traditional'. Other products under Klassno include 3-in-1 coffee mix, 2-in-1 coffee mix (without sugar), hot chocolate mix, non dairy creamer in addition to  instant coffee in jars - Rich Arabica (agglomerated coffee) and Gold (freeze dried) coffee. The company acquires coffee beans from across the globe to create the perfect blend.

Food Empire is a global leading food company that manufactures and markets instant beverage products, frozen convenience food, confectionery and snack food. Food Empire's products are exported to over 60 countries in markets such as Russia, Ukraine, Middle East, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, China, Mongolia and the United States.

"From production through to tasting, nothing is taken for granted. One can start a whole new tradition with instant coffee as each packet delivers the intense, smoky flavour loved by the customers. This is why every cup from our blend delivers the ultimate coffee experience. We aim to put our wealth of experience gathered over the years in every cup of coffee that we produce," added Gupta.

Since its public listing in 2000, Food Empire has won numerous accolades and awards including being ranked as one of 'The Most Valuable Singapore Brands' by International Enterprise Singapore, the lead agency driving Singapore's external economy.

"In a competitive market, price and packaging are integral factors in a customer's decision making process but ultimately, it is the experience that etches a favourable impression in the consumer's mind.  We strongly feel that this is the key factor that enables Food Empire's products to enjoy exponential growth. We are able to repeat our performance year-on-year because of our undying commitment to quality and constant reinvention to make great products even better," concluded Gupta.

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About Food Empire Holdings:
SGX Mainboard-listed Food Empire Holdings (Food Empire) is a global leading food company that manufactures and markets instant beverage products, frozen convenience food, confectionery and snack food. Food Empire's products are exported to over 60 countries in markets such as Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, China, Indochina, the Middle East, Mongolia and the U.S. The Group has 17 offices (representative and liaison) - in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Poland, Turkey, Belgium, Mongolia and Vietnam. 

The Group's products include a wide variety of beverages including regular and flavoured coffee mixes and cappuccinos, chocolate drinks, instant breakfast cereal and flavoured fruit teas. It also markets a refreshing range of food products including snack food such as potato crisps, confectionery and an assortment of frozen convenience food such as bite-sized morsels of seafood, dim sum and spring roll. Food Empire's strength lies in its proprietary brands, including MacCoffee, Petrovskaya Sloboda, Klassno, Hyson, OrienBites and Kracks and has over 200 types of products under these brands. MacCoffee - the group's flagship brand - has been consistently ranked as the leading 3-in-1 instant coffee brand in the Group's core markets including Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Since its public listing in 2000, Food Empire has won numerous accolades and awards including being ranked one of "The Most Valuable Singapore Brands" at the national brand award organised by IE Singapore. MacCoffee was ranked one of "The Strongest Singapore Brands" and the company has been named one of the "Best under a Billion" companies in Asia by Forbes Magazine. For more information on Food Empire, please visit www.foodempire.com.

For further information please contact:
Prem A. Ramachandran
Managing Director
White Water Public Relations
GSM:0097150-4537253
Email: prem@whitewaterpr.com
PO. Box 18936, Dubai, UAE
www.whitewaterpr.com

© Press Release 2012