Day: September 4, 2023

With one of the largest food and beverage sectors in the region, the UAE is unquestionably one of the most alluring markets in the Middle East for exporters of these goods, coming in second only to Saudi Arabia. According to the statistics, industry spending is projected to impressively reach $44.5 billion in 2023! And with over 90% of the nation’s food coming from abroad, the need for imported food is practically unparalleled. The market is extremely competitive, but it can also be very lucrative for the appropriate brand and product.

1. Consumers Who Travel Through Food

UAE customers are constantly eager to explore new cuisines and are developing a rising hunger for new international flavors and meals due to the country’s highly globalized economy and its large expat population. The popularity of international cuisine increased as a result of COVID-19’s two-year dampening of travel opportunities as a way to experience other cultures without leaving the country. Asian cuisine is particularly popular, with customers frequently visiting Thai, Chinese, and Japanese restaurants.

2. Expensive Foods Continue to Be Popular

With a projected GDP per capita of US$41,800 by the end of 2022, the UAE is one of the richest nations by international standards. The substantial, affluent Western expat population in the UAE can be partly blamed for this high income. The huge demand for imported, high-end foods results from this consumer base’s high income and Westernization. In the UAE, Australian goods currently enjoy a solid reputation for quality, particularly in the market for high-end processed foods, and demand is anticipated to increase as disposable incomes increase. The need for new speciality foods and niche items is also being fueled by a young, experienced consumer base, which furthers the premiumization process.

3. People Value Convenience Highly

The UAE has a very urbanized population—86% of people live in cities! Due to the rapid rate of urbanization and the restoration of normalcy following the COVID-19 shutdown, consumers are leading increasingly stressful and busy urban lifestyles. It therefore comes as no surprise that demand for convenience is increasing, particularly in the food and beverage industry. Pre-made ready meals and frozen foods are becoming more and more popular, and over the next five years, strong growth is predicted in this market as a result of rising demand, manufacturer innovations that result in more nutrient-balanced frozen foods, and investments in cold chain logistics.

4. How Popular Non-Alcoholic Beverages Are

In the UAE, which is predominately a Muslim nation, only specific retail and dining establishments are permitted to sell alcohol. As a result, customers increasingly choose non-alcoholic beverages, which have shown double-digit growth over the past two years. The foodservice industry has been keeping an eye on a recent trend that is increasing consumption, especially at the more upscale end of the market, and encouraging demand for higher-quality alcohol-free beverages: the popularity of non-alcoholic bars like The Virgin Mary Bar. Customers are specifically looking for beverages that may mimic the flavor and sensation of alcoholic drinks.

5. Trends in Organic, Health, and Plant-Based Foods Keep Growing

The UAE has adopted Western eating trends due to the presence of an expat community. The epidemic has considerably increased the demand for nutritious, useful, and organic foods and beverages, which is one of these trends. The pandemic has forced people to rethink their bad lifestyle choices and place a greater emphasis on health and wellbeing. Given the high rates of obesity—more than 30% of the population—in the UAE, this has assumed particular importance. Sales of goods including organic juices, low-calorie selections, and substitute milks have increased particularly. There is a strong focus on organic food in particular, which has become the UAE’s fastest-growing sector. The UAE also depends on organic imports due to its arid climate which represents a unique opportunity for exporters in space.

These developments are being driven by sustainability issues in addition to health concerns. Even though it’s still primarily just a trendy word, UAE consumers are paying more attention to the sustainability and origins of the food they eat. This can be seen in actions like cutting back on meat consumption or switching to a more flexible diet. In actuality, 35% of buyers increasingly prioritize sustainability when choosing a brand. Foodservice establishments are already reacting, and an increasing number are expanding their menus to include vegetarian and vegan options. As consumer awareness of plastic pollution grows, so are retailers, with supermarkets boosting their selection of plant-based, sustainably sourced goods as well as plastic-free products.

6. Gut-healthy foods and superfoods supported by wellness trends

Beyond more general health issues, a few substances in particular are grabbing the attention of consumers. For instance, people are becoming more aware of the advantages of “superfoods” like goji berries, kale, and chia seeds as they actively seek them out as sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Natural foods, such as pure honey, wild salmon, or fresh fruits and vegetables, which each offer specific health advantages, are undoubtedly the focus. Ingredient lists are getting shorter and shorter in the packaged food industry as a result of this trend. Foods that support gut health, such as yoghurt and kimchi, are another area to monitor as probiotics and digestive health become popular buzzwords.

7. Increase in Sports Nutrition

As we’ve seen, the epidemic made the population of Emiratis more aware of the value of eating well. But the emphasis on leading an active lifestyle goes hand in hand with this trend. As a result, even prior to the pandemic, there has been a considerable increase in the demand for sports nutrition products. Products including protein powders, protein bars, ready-to-drink items, weight-management items, and dietary supplements are among the main areas of concentration here. This demand is a reflection of both the market’s exposure to Western culture and body standards as well as the rise in health consciousness. The expansion of health food stores like Holland & Barrett, which carry sports nutrition items along with a wide selection of vitamins and supplements, is one effect of this trend.

 

Processors of battered and crumbed fish and shrimp are now more productive, efficient, and safe than ever thanks to new equipment and processing techniques. The key to processing the best breaded fish is clean, effective, high-capacity frying, and the fryer used to prepare items like these has a significant impact on the quality of the final product.

Heat and Control, a single-source provider, offers a comprehensive selection of industrial processing equipment that enables you to stay on top of consumer trends, meet demand, and market your best fish products.

Breading Applicator for SureCoat

Processors are substantially investing in equipment to help them make (or expand their range to include gluten-free versions of conventional favorites) due to the approximately 121 million gluten-free consumers worldwide. The two largest trends in breadings right now are gluten-free and clean label; to assure the quality of a new recipe and ensure you are getting the same crispiness and flavor development as traditional breadings, dealing with an experienced, food industry supplier is recommended.

The SureCoat Breading Applicator from Heat and Control provides complete coverage on all product surfaces with the hardest-working applicator in the industry. It is appropriate for items including seafood, meat, poultry, vegetables, prepared dishes, and meat substitutes and has the shortest changeover and cleaning times in the industry.

The special design of SureCoat applicators enables it to evenly apply batter or flour pre-dust, granular and non-free-flowing breadings, and even fine Japanese-crumb or flake coatings. Large diameter, adjustable-speed augers are used to quickly transfer the breading, and top and bottom coatings can be adjusted separately for better coverage of all product surfaces.

Fried Breaded Goods

For goods like tempura shrimp, chicken nuggets, bone-in chicken, meat patties, breast fillets, meatballs, egg rolls, coated vegetables, and meat substitutes, the Breaded goods Fryer also offers clean, effective, and high-capacity frying.

This popular product is made to operate effectively and continuously. By removing the heating elements from the fryer pan, the system oil volume is greatly reduced. Every minute, 100% of the system oil volume is circulated between the fryer, filter, and external heat exchanger, resulting in superior oil quality and the highest quality output.

To protect the product’s coatings and orientation, the incoming oil and product velocities are precisely matched. Oil inlets with a gentle flow avoid high-velocity currents and maintain a constant oil flow and temperature throughout the pan’s breadth.

This fryer uses 25–40% less system oil than comparable direct heated fryers since it only uses as much oil as is necessary to completely cover your items. This increases the oil turnover rate and extends the shelf life of your goods.

The market for food processing is extremely competitive, and demand from consumers for new and unique prepared food products is rising. Developing your recipe or broadening your product line can be difficult, but with the correct tools, you can bring your best products to market.

Heat and Control provides equipment testing and trials and can assist you in optimizing your food processing operation.

The region’s leading Free From Food Event will debut in Free From Food Dubai, sponsored by Expo Business Communications, alongside partner UAE Food & Beverage Business Group (FBMG). The event is scheduled to take place at Le Méridien, Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, United Arab Emirates, on September 20 and 21 from 08:00–17:00. The growing Healthy, Organic, Vegan, Plant-Based, Functional, and Free-From food sectors across Middle Eastern nations will undergo a change thanks to Free From Food Dubai.

The most committed social gathering of its kind, Free From Food Dubai is dedicated to promoting a better lifestyle and meeting the rising need for nutrient-dense food options.

The gathering of renowned worldwide food producers, importers, merchants, retailers, and different distribution channels from European, Asian, and Middle Eastern nations offers a special setting for networking, knowledge sharing, and company expansion.

Additionally, this two-day, 100% B2B event will include a physical showcase of cutting-edge companies and products, a thorough program of carefully selected matchmaking with a guarantee of a high number of meetings for attendees, and a conference schedule with keynote speakers from around the world in their respective fields. Professionals will gain vital market knowledge and instruction from presentations on the topics of free-from, vegan/plant-based, natural/organic, functional/healthy ingredients, and product features.

With the participation of more than 50 international businesses, Free From Food Dubai has attracted considerable interest from well-known industry players. Notably, the UAE Food & Beverage Business Group (FMBG), organizers of the concurrent Future Food Forum, have pledged their support for the event. Bolst Global, Halal Trade & Marketing Center, and Global Management are a few more backers who help Free From Food Dubai maintain its position as a pioneering effort in the field of healthy foods.

Top businesses that have made significant inroads into the global market are featured among the exhibitors, including Ladou, Luca’s Natural, Steviala, Organic & Natural Co., Polyhealth, Clearspring, Happy Planet People, and many others. Their involvement highlights the importance of Free From Food Dubai in fostering global business prospects and stimulating industry innovation. With effective matching services planned by Global Management Dubai, a meeting professional and seasoned organizer for the Saudi Export Development Authority and the Saudi Pavilion at Gulf Food, attendees and exhibitors will be ready to make the most of their time. Previous visitors to the Free From Food events in Barcelona in 2019 and Amsterdam in 2021 said that the event’s special matchmaking was one of their favorites, with 97% of attendees forming new business relationships and 95% anticipating purchases after the event.

Free From Food Dubai will be held concurrently with the expo and FBMG’s 5th edition of the Future Food Forum, which will feature a complete conference program with talks from well-known leaders in the food industry and a wide range of themes. There are two particularly noteworthy sessions: “Unveiling the Future: Trends Driving the Food and Beverage Industry” and “Applying Innovation for a Sustainable Future: Accepting Circular Economy Principles.” Intriguing panel discussions will also center on the subjects of “How AI is changing the Food Processing and Manufacturing Industry?” and “The Future of Food: Nourishing Health and Wellness.”

Over a thousand people will attend the event, giving them access to the exhibition. and the matchmaking program, which hosts more than 200 sessions every day, guarantees worthwhile connections and encourages successful business partnerships.
Participants who register in advance are guaranteed free admission to the exhibition as well as a number of exclusive benefits. Don’t pass up this chance to take part in the Middle East’s largest healthy food event!