Sweet Outlook for Packaging Opportunities

Sensitive specialities such as macarons require safe as well as attractive packaging Sweets & SnackTec Middle East reflects the growing sweets & confectionery, bakery, ice cream and snack industries in MENA

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INDUSTRY research experts, Pira International, report that the Middle East and North Africa offer attractive investment opportunities for packaging material, machinery and equipment suppliers. Consumption of packaging material in the MENA region is set to reach a total of 25.5 million tonnes by 2014, it forecasts. This packaging boom is reflected at this year's Sweet & SnackTec Middle East, which alongside Sweets & Snacks Middle East, will host more international exhibitors than ever before. The Middle East is considered as a region with tremendous growth potential, said Nestlé's regional CEO Yves Manghardt. The region's proximity to European markets makes it an attractive alternative for western producers, such as Nestlé whose chocolate and confectionery brands include KitKat, Nestlé Crunch, Wonka and Butterfinger, looking for low cost production sites. Premium products will be showcased at the Speciality Food Festival Coupled with the high demand for a diverse range of packaging solutions is growing consumer demand for packaged food products. Hypermarkets are a key driver of grocery value sales in the Middle East, and a total consumption of food products at almost USD 4 billion in the UAE alone (source: New Zealand Trade and Enterprise). Indeed, the outlook for the confectionery, snacks, baked goods and ice cream industry in the Middle East remains sweet. Ideal platform To capitalise on these favourable market trends, the co-located exhibitions, Sweet & SnackTec Middle East and Sweets & Snacks Middle East will take place from 31 October - 2 November 2010 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The twin events make an ideal platform for producers, suppliers, importers & exporters of the sweets, confectionery, bakery and snack machinery industry from across the MENA region and GCC countries. With more than 30 countries present at this specialist trade events, including Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Iran, Malaysia, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey and USA, and visitors registering to attend from more than 70 countries, both trade exhibitions are set to deliver another record-breaking year. Sweet & SnackTec Middle East 2010 will showcase a comprehensive range from packaging machinery, processing technology and equipment, plastic packaging to chocolate moulds, chocolate fillings and raw material including ingredients for confectionery and mixed flour for bakery products. Leading companies participating in the event include A.M.P. Rose, Baker Perkins and Jacob White Packaging from England, BSA Schneider from Germany, Hundred Machinery from Taiwan, and Mafco from the United Arab Emirates. Sweeter than ever Offering even greater scope for sourcing food and packaging opportunities at the same time as Sweet & SnackTec Middle East, co-organiser Dubai World Trade Centre is launching The Speciality Food Festival, the first trade exhibition in the Middle East to focus on premium, exclusive and elusive products - the 5 star market positioning so closely associated with Dubai. The Speciality Food Festival will showcase elite suppliers from the gourmet and luxury food market including the Halal, Organic and Seafood sectors. Combined with The International Travel Catering Association Exhibition (ITCA Dubai), all four dedicated food industry events will run alongside each other providing visitors and exhibitors alike with the perfect trading, networking and cross-selling environment. And all under one roof!(the end)Nike Air Max