Alimentaria promotes Halal products with different activities and an exhibition area
In keeping with the new consumer trends and in view of the business opportunities for visiting companies, Alimentaria 2018 is reinforcing the presence of halal food at the fair, extending the offer devoted to this segment of products provided by more than 175 exhibitors and incorporating different workshops and show cookings geared towards this nutritional pattern, which is gaining popularity in all cultures, regardless of religious beliefs.
Thus, as a result of the cooperation agreement between Alimentaria and Expo Halal Spain, about 25 domestic and international companies will exhibit their products at Expo Halal Alimentaria, an exclusive 500 m2 area located in Hall 3 of Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue. Apart from this area, approximately 150 companies taking part in Alimentaria’s exhibitions, such as Intercarn and Multiplefoods, will also have halal products on their stands, including Dulcesol, Europastry, Industrias Ca?rnicas Vin?als and Mercabarna, among many others.
In addition to the exhibition, halal food will be the main feature of the 2nd International Halal Congress, an important activity programme set to be attended by experts in this market, who will discuss aspects such as quality and safety in halal certification, the sector’s economic potential, the growing interest in the modern distribution of this kind of food and the new production and marketing trends. The confirmed speakers include H.E. Abdulla Al Maeeni, CEO of the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) in the United Arab Emirates, one of the main global certification bodies for these types of products, Shelina Zahra Janmohamed, Vice- President of Ogilvy Noor, who will provide her knowledge of marketing with regard to how to target Muslim consumers, and Shazia Saleem, an expert in gastronomic product innovation and the founder of ieat Foods, a halal firm preparing ready meals.
Several showcookings on Lebanese, Spanish and Catalan cuisine with halal ingredients will complete the offer, with the purpose of demonstrating the opportunities for the Horeca channel provided by this gastronomic range. The congress, which expects the presence of around 200 visitors, will officially present Halal Club Catalan Foods, a directory of Catalan companies and products with halal certification, drawn up by PRODECA (the Agri-Food Exports Promoter) in partnership with AECOC.
From Javier Albarraci?n, promoter of these activities and director of Barcelona Halal Services, “There is an increasing demand for these types of products among non-Muslim consumers who are seeking an organic, gourmet and healthier diet, without additional hormones or additives. The halal certification is now a guarantee of the product’s quality and traceability.”
Increasing demand
Halal products currently account for 16% of the worldwide consumption of food and drinks, with an annual turnover of over 530,000 million euros, according to data provided by the SGS consultancy firm. Of the above, more than 32,000 million euros correspond to the European market. In addition, the Muslim population is expected to reach 2,200 million by 2030, 25% of the total number of people in the world.
