Tourism & Hospitality | Sunday 23 September, 2018 2:30 pm |

The Middle East and North African (MENA) confectionery industry – set to reach a value of USD11 billion by 2021, accruing 18 per cent year-on-year growth according to Euromonitor International – is witnessing a torrent of innovation as regional and international manufacturers look to build regional market share and step up export potential.

The segment’s new wave of inventiveness will come under the spotlight at October’s yummex Middle East Innovation Awards – an independently judged event, which honours the best new products created by exhibitors at yummex Middle East, the MENA region’s leading annual sweet and snacks event.

“The awards are in line with developments in the industry where both overseas suppliers entering the market and local and regional producers are stepping up their game to meet rising demand for confectionery and snacks. Vitally, these new wave products feature more health-related ingredients, while still satisfying the region’s renowned sweet tooth preferences,” said Mark Napier, Exhibition Director, yummex Middle East.

“Many of the winners and those commended will be seen for the first time at yummex Middle East, yet could soon be the segment’s future stars and big sellers across the region’s supermarket aisles. Many of the regionally produced products are also expected to generate strong export demand. Entries for the associated awards have just opened and the winners will be announced on the first day of the show.”

The awards recognise four distinct categories including: ‘Best Chocolate Product’, ‘Best Bakery Product’, Best Hard and Soft Candy’ and ‘Best Snack Product.’

More than 300 exhibitors from upwards of 40 countries are lined up for yummex Middle East, organised by DWTC in partnership with Koelnmesse GmbH, which runs at Dubai World Trade Centre from 30 October to 1 November 2018. This year’s show will also feature a dedicated Middle East Meetings Programme where buyers and suppliers will be able to prior book priority meetings with exhibitors they believe will make the biggest impact on their business.

“Meetings are pre-scheduled to take place on exhibitor stands or in the dedicated meetings lounge for a highly productive and lucrative event experience,” explained Napier. “For visiting buyers, the show offers tremendous opportunities on the horizon with 42 per cent of exhibitors using yummex Middle East as a first entry point into the MENA market. For exhibitors, the regional entry launch pad status is borne out by the fact that the majority of visitors hail from with the GCC countries, India, Pakistan and the Levant.”

Part of a quartet of specialised food-related events, which together present a unique international market overview of the region’s retail trade and foodservice industry, yummex Middle East is co-located with the Speciality Food Festival, the gourmet and artisan food event for the Middle East, Africa and Asia which features the Global Date Market; Seafex, the region’s dedicated professional seafood event, and GulfHost, the specialty food and equipment trade show. All four are powered by the expansive Gulfood trade show series.