Hershey’s was a participant at the event

MORE than 40 Singapore food and beverage (F&B) companies took part in Gulfood 2013, the annual trade show for the food and hospitality industry, in Dubai.

Saudi Arabia also had a strong turnout as the food and beverage industry there continues to gain momentum with strong population growth and greater interest in food products and flavours.

The Singapore companies expect to record their best year for sales as global demand for Asian flavours continues to grow, said International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, the government agency promoting the overseas growth of Singapore-based enterprises and international trade.

Of the 40 companies at the Singapore country pavilion, a record 30 of them launched new products this year at the show, which ran from February 25 to 28 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Gulfood 2013 featured a record 110 country pavilions and 4,200 exhibitors. According to IE Singapore, the GCC region is now the sixth largest destination for Singapore F&B exports and is the country’s largest export market outside Asia Pacific.

The total sales volume of Singapore F&B products at Gulfood 2013 is expected to reach over $20 million, surpassing the record-breaking result of 2012, the IE stated.

SAUDI INTEREST HIGH
Gulfood 2013 welcomed a record number of F&B buyers and trade professionals from Saudi Arabia. With Saudi Arabia importing approximately 60 per cent of the Middle East’s total food and beverage imports, the country is a key target market for regional and international food manufacturers and suppliers.

Saudi Arabia’s rising population, together with dynamic growth in its travel, tourism and hospitality sectors are key drivers in the kingdom’s burgeoning food and beverage industry.

According to a report by Business Monitor International (BMI), tourist arrivals in Saudi Arabia are forecast to increase by 7 per cent to 17.3 million in 2013 and by an average of 8.5 per cent each year until 2017.

The Saudi hospitality market is growing in tandem with tourist arrivals. Valued at $13 billion in 2011 by Alpen Capital, the kingdom’s hospitality market is expected to reach $18.1 billion by 2016. Currently the fastest-growing in the GCC region, the Saudi hospitality market is seeing an upward trend in luxury hotels having attracted investments from global players such as Marriott and IHG, said the statement.

Robust growth in the tourism and hospitality sectors is expected to fuel the need for international food products, services and technology even further, it said.

Major brands participating at this year’s Gulfood included Al Rabie, Al Watania, Cadbury, Colman, Del Monte, Green Giant, Hershey’s, Knorr, Lipton, Masafi, Red Bul and SunBulah.