The Gulf’s halal food industry is valued at more than US$50bn, according to food and beverage consultant Farrelly & Mitchell, and organisers of regional trade show Gulfood Manufacturing 2017 have encouraged firms to harness the demand for halal products, including meat.
“The halal sector across the world has witnessed tremendous growth in recent years and the United Arab Emirates has become a leader in the industry in terms of setting the highest standards,” said Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice-president of exhibitions and events management at Dubai World Trade Centre – the venue for Gulfood Manufacturing 2017.
LohMirmand added that the number of exhibitors, including 144 halal food firms, meant businesses in the Middle East and attending the trade show could help the UAE become a leading player in the trade of halal goods.
She said: “I believe this platform undoubtedly helps the emirate achieve its objective of becoming the capital of the Islamic economy, bolstered by its trade of halal goods.”
One firm showing off its fare was Egypt-based Kemena Products Corporation, which has promoted its meat and poultry seasoning blend ‘Sprinkle’ at Gulfood Manufacturing.
Samy Anton, regional export sales manager at Kamena, said he hoped the company’s presence at the trade show would accelerate the firm’s “expansion strategy”.
The business said it wanted to find customers in a number of markets across in the Middle East and North Africa. Some of them include Syria, Jordon and Saudi Arabia, alongside African countries such as Algeria, Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria.