Global Food & Beverage sector reaches over $7.2 trillion mark

Inayat-ur-Rahman

The global Food & Beverage  (F&B) sector seeks to keep pace with changing consumer habits and spiraling spending, which now stands at more than $7.2 trillion annually, according to the Gulfood 2020 Industry Outlook Report.

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, on Sunday opened Gulfood 2020, the landmark 25th edition of the region’s longest-running annual food and beverage (F&B) trade show at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

 As an industry pioneer and weathervane for global F&B sector trend-tracking, Gulfood 2020 is an open invitation for F&B producers to demonstrate how they are ‘Rethinking Food’ to serve a global population that is set to race past eight billion by 2030.

The five-day mega exhibition, which runs until Thursday 20 February, has attracted high-calibre interest from government ministers, trade delegations and national organisations who are showcasing the latest F&B innovations and exploring exhaustive business opportunities.

Touring the exhibition, Sheikh Hamdan was given a snapshot of the latest innovations and technologies that are redefining the regional food sector landscape at DWTC this week amid growing demand.

Gulfood 2020 will showcase large-scale innovation in the F&B sector, with a wide array of industry disruptors exhibiting innovative products and solutions, new-to-region flavours and products, and the global networking opportunities with F&B businesses from every corner of the world.

“The rising demand for sustainability in the F&B sector, coupled with consumer trends that have shifted dramatically and the growing shift away from animal-based foods, headline the Gulfood 2020 agenda. The challenge for the F&B industry is to fast-track innovation and provide safe and sustainable food sources for an increasingly eco-conscious global population. Gulfood’s 25th anniversary is the perfect place to experience, analyse and collaborate on developing solutions that will propel the F&B sector into this thrilling new decade of opportunity,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President, Exhibitions and Events, DWTC.

Running alongside the main exhibition, the second edition of the three-day Gulfood Innovation Summit will bring together major players from across the international industry to examine the latest challenges and opportunities in the global F&B market.

To mark its silver anniversary, Gulfood 2020 has rolled out a host of new features and initiatives to further enhance the visitor experience.

With the food rethink narrative serving as the show’s guiding theme, a brand-new feature titled ‘STREAT will make its debut with street food pioneers Chef Chan Hon Meng, the first Michelin-starred hawker (street food) chef from Singapore’s celebrated Liao Fan Hawker Chan, and Tsuta by Chef Yuki Onishi, founder and executive chef of the Tsuta Japanese Soba Noodles, the world’s first Michelin-starred Ramen eatery.

Tastes of the World, one of Gulfood’s most popular features, returns in 2020 with an extraordinary line-up of renowned food change-makers and Michelin-starred chefs showcasing cuisine innovation. Michelin-starred chef Massimo Bottura is joined by three Michelin-starred chef Elena Arzak, and chef Paco Pre. Joining the international chef trio are the region’s top culinary talents, including Nick Alvis and Scott Price of acclaimed Dubai restaurant Folly; Gregoire Berger of Ossiano, and Akmal Anuar of 3 Fils.



“I am impressed with the new culinary ideas in the UAE. The country is a vibrant place to dine right now and is also very inspiring for chefs and gourmands who are constantly searching for new cultural interactions,” said Bottura. “At Gulfood, I am showcasing a collection of our most iconic dishes from France as we travel through the evolution of our culinary world.”

Elsewhere, Gulfood’s Startup programme will see entrepreneurs demonstrate culinary breakthroughs that set the course for a more sustainable F&B sector future, while providing several young innovators the chance to exhibit disruptive products and prototypes to a discerning buying audience. The Gulfood Innovation Awards provide a celebration of excellence across brands in the F&B sector, while the Chef Tours take visitors on bespoke journeys into the latest global culinary trends.

Pakistan’s Consul General in Dubai, Ahmed Amjad Ali, on Sunday appreciated the participation of more than 100 Pakistani companies/organizations in the exhibition.

He expressed these views while inaugurating Pakistani Pavilion established at the 25th edition of the world’s largest annual food & beverage trade show i.e. “Gulfood Exhibition, which will continue till 20th February, 2020 at Dubai World Trade. All major brands like Mehran, National, Shaan, Qurshi, Marhabba, Barkat Rice, Guard Rice etc. have taken part in the exhibition.