by Matthew Amlôt – CPI Financial
As part of the 19th edition of Gulfood more than 450 of the world’s leading halal manufacturers, processors and distributors from over 50 countries and six continents will convene at the first Halal World Food to display thousands of halal products from energy drinks, vegan and vegetarian foods to meat and poultry, canned goods, gourmet and fine foods.
According to a Thompson Reuters report commissioned by the Dubai Government last November, the global halal food market has an estimated annual value of $1 trillion – which equates to approximately 20 per cent of a global food market predicted to reach $5.3 trillion by the end of 2014 (Datamonitor).
With GCC halal food imports – according to the Economist Intelligence Unit – set to jump from $25.8 billion in 2010 to $53.1 billion by 2020, the UAE’s annual halal food imports will reach $8.4 billion by the end of the decade.
By positioning Dubai as a ‘worldwide halal centre’ at the forefront of global halal food industry growth, the Halal World Food is expected to generate significant inward investment opportunities for major international businesses eyeing regional buyers, suppliers, logistics providers and storage and transport solutions. The show will also see halal food policy-shapers and government organisations come together to discuss the implementation of far-reaching standarisation and certification frameworks.
A specialist, show-within-a-show concept, Halal World Food will cover all halal-related aspects of global foodservice, retail and hospitality sectors to highlight the depth and variety of international halal products.
“Dubai has the ambition and world-class infrastructure to serve as the economic hub of the worldwide halal food industry and the global Islamic Economy,” said Helal Almarri, CEO, DWTC and Director General, Dubai Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM). “Given that Dubai already convenes the world’s biggest annual gathering of food industry professionals at Gulfood, there was a strong catalyst to further our market proposition with the launch of Halal World Food – a vibrant addition to the global halal food sector.
“This new initiative represents an engaging, value-added proposition for our global network of food manufacturers and traders, and underlines the innovative vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Development of Islamic Economy.
“As the primary trading hub of the MENA region, which boasts the highest concentration of Muslims of any global region, Dubai’s geographical position makes it the ideal location to serve at the convergence of Islamic finance and the halal food industry – key drivers of international Islamic economics.”
With the global halal market predicted to be a $10 trillion industry by 2030 according to David Smith, Global Futures and Foresight’s Study, the emirate’s addition of Halal World Food to its international food strategy has already received backing from several heavyweight players in the global sector including Midamar Corporation, the USA’s leading halal brand and a pioneering force in North American since 1974, Sadia International, one of the world’s leading halal brands of chilled and frozen foods, and Al Ghurair Foods, the Dubai-based manufacturers of multi-product halal food lines.
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