Companies must embrace sustainability as a long-term business value, especially in the Middle East, as global trends move towards fast-shifting trading patterns in the F&B industry.
Fruit-based beverage retailer Smoothie King has expanded into the Gulf through a partnership with Dubai conglomerate Al Ghurair and opened of its first outlet in the region.
Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council chairman Simon Crean has visited the Middle East to iron out welfare and black market concerns worrying Australia during Eid’s bumper trade period.
Homes and restaurants in the UAE toss out food worth an estimated AED14.7bn (US$4bn) each year, according to the Emirates Environmental Group. The waste is then dumped in the country’s landfills where capacity is shrinking.
Dubai-based camel milk producer Emirates Industry for Camel Milk & Products has been awarded a VAT exemption certificate by the UAE’s Ministry of Economy, which the company hopes will help it increase exports of camel milk to other Arab countries.
Abu Dhabi retailer Fathima Group will invest AED200m (US$55m) to open seven new hypermarkets in the next few months as part of an aggressive expansion strategy in the GCC and India.
Local dairy major Almarai was named Saudi Arabia’s favourite brand in the YouGov 2016 Mid-year BestBrand rankings, alongside Emirates airline in the UAE and Facebook in Egypt.
One of the Middle East’s biggest food importers has unveiled the region’s largest production factory. The new Arab & India Spices plant in Ajman was built with an investment of AED350m (US$95m).
Global cooking oil major Mazola is placing its focus on expanding even further into the Middle East’s growing non-retail sector by appointing Farm Fresh as its new distributor for food-service business in the UAE.
Dubai wants to become a key food distribution and production hub for the Middle East, as part of its new 2030 Industrial Strategy which aims to add US$44bn to the emirate’s economy.
Kuwaiti food conglomerate Mezzan Holding will buy into Saudi Arabia’s Al Safi Food for up to US$25m, while EIP, one of the buyers of Diamond Meat Processing, eyes further purchases.
The sale of Americana finally went ahead this month, with Adeptio paying US$2.4bn, while NFPC abandoned its sale attempt, with potential buyers’ scepticism over expansion plans blamed.
Saudi, UAE and Egyptian shoppers are prepared to switch brands for a bargain even as they increase their food spend during Ramadan—a time when the UAE Ministry of Economy pays US$68m on food subsidies.
Outgoing Philippine President Benigno Aquino has signed into law a consolidated measure on halal exports, which may help boost the country’s meat exporters in the Middle East.
Pakistan’s largest conglomerate, the Fauji Group, has launched the country’s biggest halal abattoir, meat processing and exporting unit near Port Qasim, Karachi.
US private equity firm TPG Capital may buy Spinneys Egypt for US$100m, as Gulf Capital announces the acquisition of GCC food distributor Multibrands to target the fast-growing Saudi F&B market.
Palestinian meat producer Siniora has bought the UAE firm Diamond Meat Processing (DMP) in a deal worth US$17m, in order to expand into the UAE and wider GCC.
The Korean government is stepping up its food industry promotion in the Middle East with a new regional office and new initiatives, with the aim of growing food exports by 10% year-on-year.
Brazilian meat processor BRF has reported a slide in gross profits for the first quarter of 2016 as pressure on poultry prices and the cost of corn hurt its income.
Saudi’s Almarai has formally announced its intention to buy UAE food producer NFPC, potentially worth up to US$1.5bn, as analysts remain cautious on the firm’s outlook after mixed Q1 results.
Over recent months, Russian authorities have finalised a number of meat export agreements in a bid to encourage domestic companies to expand their presence in foreign markets.
Firms from the Philippines booked more than US$110m in sales at Gulfood in February, beating last year’s total, but challenges remain for exporters to the Middle East.
Japanese wagyu beef is a hit in the Middle East, but producers are struggling to export to regional markets because of Halal issues, according to a Japanese food importer in the UAE.
Brazilian food producers BRF, JBS and Minerva all grew their Middle Eastern business in 2015, as BRF brings forward expansion plans for its Abu Dhabi factory.
British potato producer Albert Bartlett is pushing ahead with its expansion into the Middle East through its Al Dahra Bartlett JV, with more UAE marketing and plans for Saudi retail.
UAE food producer Al Islami is considering plans to build a factory in Brazil to further its global expansion, while it also joins the ranks of the International Poultry Council.
The International Centre of Biosaline Agriculture has won this year’s Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, as the award announces future changes.
Turkish food producer Pinar plans to grow its presence in the GCC with new facilities and products, building on the high market penetration of its labneh in the region.
US beef exporters are “bitterly disappointed” at Saudi Arabia’s continued ban of their products, even as other producers have bans lifted, according to a US Meat Export official.
UAE food producer NFPC has broken ground on its new 752,000m2 Kizad factory, and revealed the first phase will be dedicated to its Lacnor, Oasis and Milco beverage divisions.
Oman’s AATCO opens a new factory plant in Jeddah, as OFIC releases new details about its Dhofar dairy project, and the government considers investing in Iranian agriculture.
UAE food producer Agthia’s full-year profit for 2015 rose 20% to hit $62.9m (€56.3m) thanks to strong consumer sales, as the company aims to become a billion dollar firm by 2020.
Next month’s Gulfood will have a distinct coffee flavour, as the booming regional coffee sector hits around US$6.5bn – or 8% of the global coffee market.
Del Monte is planning to acquire farms in Saudi Arabia and Jordan, to add to its current UAE and Turkey sites, and is planning new regional product launches at Gulfood.
A UAE government ministry has given a boost to a pilot scheme to combine aquaculture with biofuel production, as it pledges its support and collaboration.
Brazilian food producers have closed more than US$9m in new export deals to the Middle East in the last two months, as Brazil’s trade body plans to exhibit at more Arab trade shows.
Scottish premium rapeseed oil producers are looking to the Middle East for export growth, as they reap the benefits of a new export collaboration project and rising olive oil prices.
US food producers saw record exports to the GCC of US$3bn last year according to new figures, as American trade associations organised events in Kuwait and around SIAL ME.
Ports in Abu Dhabi and Oman are set to host major new rice and pulse processing facilities, as Al Dahra and Usher announce projects worth a total of US$78m.
As Saudi Arabia prepares to privatise its public flour mills, the UAE’s Al Ghurair may become a purchaser, while Agthia plans to enter the kingdom’s wheat flour market.
Russian chocolate-maker Goldberg is planning to establish a factory in the UAE, as it targets the Middle East and North Africa as its first major export market.
BRF will upgrade its factory in Kizad by 28,000 tonnes next year, four years ahead of schedule, as Binghatti Holding announces plans to build a US$40.8m food facility in Kizad.
Regional food producers are holding back on new investments, but those who are spending are looking for novelty in chocolate and dates products, according to Jaffan Trading and Marketing.
Niche and exotic meat production is growing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with quail and camel increasing in popularity, according to Gulfood 2015 exhibition director Mark Napier.
Far from the frenetic madness of its parent show in February, Gulfood Manufacturing nevertheless has its own, slightly geeky, energy – and it clearly means business.
