JEDDAH — More than 200 exhibitors from 32 participating countries at ‘Foodex Arabia 2016' display their diverse products in the four-day trade show at the Jeddah Centre for Forums & Events that was inaugurated Monday by Prince Fahad Bin Muqrin Bin Abdul Aziz. He then visited the exhibition's pavilions, reviewed latest products and technologies and met with Saudi and foreign exhibitors. ‘Foodex Arabia' exhibitors display the latest products of fresh, chilled and frozen food, dairy products, canned goods, meat, poultry, snacks and candy for four days and attended by the largest gathering of retail and hospitality personnel. Haya Sunaidi, the chairman of organizing committee, confirmed that the presence of 32 countries presents an opportunity for retail, distribution and hospitality sectors to be apprised of new food products from all over the world. Pointing out kingdom's strong economy and food consumption backed by its large population that exceeds rest of Gulf countries, As the kingdom's food market is the largest in the Gulf and Middle East, Sunaidi expressed her hopes that ‘Foodex Arabia' would play a role in fulfilling kingdom's 2030 Vision. Sunaidi anticipated the Kingdom's food and beverage imports to reach SR130 billion by 2020, compared to the present SR80 billion. Sunaidi also noted that the fast food market registered annual volume of SR5 billion, in addition to the 66% increased retail sales with the opening of diverse hypermarkets and food product markets. Rooney Al-Haddad, director of the exhibitions at Sunaidi Expo and Conferences, echoed Sunaidi's view, adding retail stores grew to 50,000. With expected visitors of 7,000 compared to last year's 5,374, Al-Haddad said ‘Foodex Arabia' receives governmental support and that the kingdom enjoys the highest purchasing power in the Middle East, noting that the exhibition is a major platform for companies eyeing to join Saudi market. Al-Haddad added that ‘Foodex Arabia' is the first 100% specialized exhibition in food and beverage, where exhibitors showcase various and best food products. ‘Foodex Arabia' also hosts the largest multinational Salon Culinary Competition with 140 chefs competing form different countries and supervised by World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) and Saudi Chefs Association (SARCA) and judged by an international 12-member panel, including best chefs worldwide. Winners receive gold medals and accredited certificates from WACS. In addition, ‘Foodex Arabia' organizes exhibitors'-purchasers' and decision makers business meetings. Om Ahmed, a Saudi female in her 50s and selling mamoul (biscuits stuffed with dates) on Instagram, explained that this is her first time to participate. She is one of the females that are presenting their products in the ‘Alaidi Alherafia' NGO meaning ‘The Handicrafts' NGO. She said "this is a vital event for us to showcase our products and market them. We also would have the chance to interact with people to know more about us." An Indian exhibitor, who is showcasing several Indian spices, said "this is my first time to participate in this exhibition and it is important because I am looking for companies to partner with me so I can import my products to the Kingdom." Maha Ahmed, one of the exhibition visitors, explained that this is her second time to visit ‘Foodex Arabia' and she already noted major differences than last year's. She added "I am seeing more international exhibitors, including Algerian companies. There are plenty of new products that booths are presenting and marketing. The exhibition is more organized and more fun for the public than last year's. I am really enjoying it."
