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Halal Food Business to Reach $45 Billion in Mideast

DUBAI - The Arab world is considered a premier market for halal products and the Middle East market for halal food is set to reach $45 billion this year, according to International Halal 
Integrity Alliance.

This market relies overwhelmingly on imports of halal commodities, with the UAE alone imports $150 million worth of halal food
products per annum.

The re-export trade from the country to markets around the region is currently valued at between $30 million to $50 million.

Demand is strong and growing, as is evident at this year’s Gulfood exhibition, the Middle East’s largest trade-only event for the food, beverage and hospitality industry. The four-day event will open on Sunday, where a record number of companies will be exhibiting halal products.

“The role that Gulfood plays in both showcasing products and driving market activity is well demonstrated in the halal food and beverage category. Not only do a wide range of international suppliers travel to Dubai to attend Gulfood, we have also attracted a growing number of local and regional companies who specialise in the halal market,” said Trixee Loh, Senior Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the organiser of the event.

“With the global halal food industry estimated to be worth more than $650 billion this year according to Business Monitor International, this is a major business and the opportunities are substantial.”

Companies from almost every corner of the world will be represented in Dubai during the event, showcasing a wide range of halal products. Industry players include Al Accad Department Stores, Al Islami Foods, Brazil Food, Herfy Food Service Co., Khazan Meat Factor, Matrade, Midamar Corporation, Nestle, Sadi International, The Halal Catering Argentina 
and Volys Star.

“We have chosen Gulfood as the platform from which to launch our new range as we are confident that in doing so, we will reach a customer base ranging from Morocco to Singapore,” said Nils El Accad, Chief Executive Officer of Al Accad Department stores who are due to unveil their latest range of halal HIPP organic baby food at this year’s show.

“Gulfood is the only significant trade show for the food and beverage industry targeting African and Eastern Asian markets. It is also unique in that it is the only show where distributors and retailers interact in the same setting.”

The tracking of halal global megatrends is also one of the key topics at this year’s Gulfood conference, with strong interest being shown for the session which will be presented by Al Islami Foods CEO, Alex Andarakis on Tuesday, 23^rd February.

“Halal, has become a global mega trend and is gaining serious momentum with investors, suppliers, producers, and retailers,” said Andarakis. “Countries that will succeed in entering the international halal market will be those who pay attention to the details of quality, standards and marketing, aligned with the most active players such as Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Singapore, Turkey and now UAE.” 


abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com