Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition opens door to on-site sales for publics

Local and international exhibitors seek to expand their reach at SIAL Middle East 2017

Abu Dhabi, 25 November, 2017:  With an increasing importance being placed on health and lifestyle, especially in the UAE, organically sourced and healthy foods are becoming part of a staple diet.

According to numbers published by the Organic Trade Association, the estimate size for total organic market consumer sales for organic products in the UAE totals AED154Mil per year, making it the 38th largest market in the world.

On top of this, an increase in consumption of health and wellness products (6.6% CAGR), organic packaged food and beverages (9.8% CAGR), and organic packaged food consumption (9.8% CAGR) was predicted from the years 2015-2018, signalling a shift in consumer behaviour towards health-orientated foods.

Aiming to provide an ideal platform for local and international food manufacturers looking to expand into the lucrative industry of organic food products, SIAL Middle East will run from 12-14 December at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, and held in a strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), as part of the Abu Dhabi Food Festival and organized by the department of Culture and Tourism.

Recognising SIAL ME’s status as an expanding hub for industry professionals, Mawasim Organic, are set to showcase their full range of organic products.

Abdulnasser Alshamsi, CEO for Mawasim Organic said, “SIAL Middle East has provided a strong platform for the growing food, beverage and hospitality event in the MENA region, and we are looking forward to showcasing our organic fresh local farm produce from fruits, vegetables and herbs such as: sweet corn, cucumber, potato and mint. 

Additionally, Mawasim Organic has a wide section of certified organic products such as cheese and dairy, butchery, bakery, grocery to health & beauty products. 

“Mawasim has rapidly grown into a trusted local Emirati brand, carrying locally grown organic produce, harvested at Al Rawafed Organic Agricultural farm,” added Alshamsi.

For New Zealand based Blossom Hill Farm, halal products and superfoods will take centre-stage.

Mark Allport Founder of Blossom Hill Farm said, “Blossom Hill farm is inspired by four generations of New Zealand family farming, and we represent a range of beautiful artisan farm produce and Halal certified products. Also, we will have an exciting new range of beverages from New Zealand as well as some new combinations of Superfood NutSpreads.”

With more than 40 million date palms in the UAE, and with the fruit largely considered a superfood due to its high sources of energy, fibre and vitamins, many suppliers are keen to show-off their products at Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition, the only event in the world dedicated for the date palm industry, which will be co-located with SIAL Middle East. This year’s edition will be the first to allow on-site sales. 

Capitalising on the popularity and high consumption of the medjool date in the Middle East, USA firm Double Date Packing is taking part in SIAL Middle East for the first time.  “The event is known to have a high concentration of procurement professionals,” said Hope Barbee from Double Date.  

“This will be our first ever trade show outside of the USA and we hope to raise the bar on the quality of the majdool date currently in the market.  We offer the highest quality of whole majdool dates in a variety of consumer packages and we remain committed to delivering our customers the very best.”

Jenaan Investment, an agricultural investment company, are also looking to enter the healthy and free range market. Based in the country's capital, Abu Dhabi, SIAL Middle East will provide the perfect platform to showcase Jenaan’s new projects, partnerships as well as announcing new initiatives. 

Additionally, Jenaan plans to sign new agreements and expand their international network, and will work closely with the Abu Dhabi government to support the emirate's food security programme agenda, and has recently implemented a large date palm plantation in Egypt. They also plan to launch a new animal services business for local farmers at SIAL Middle East.

The eighth edition of SIAL Middle East, co-located with the Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition, will host more than 22,000 industry professionals and 900 exhibitors this year.

SIAL Middle East returns with support from Host Sponsor: Abu Dhabi Chamber, Diamond Sponsor: Jenaan Investments, Silver Sponsors: Al Rawafed and Abu Dhabi Farmers’ Services Centre, Bronze Sponsor: Mai Dubai and The Deep Seafood Company, and Halal Certification Sponsor: Emirates Authority for Standardization & Metrology.