(MENAFN-Mid-East.Info)
The fifth edition of the event, hosted by the Food and Beverage Manufacturers Group, reaches another milestone with the largest gathering of top executives and innovators to discuss the sector, reaching $94.4 billion.
Food & Beverage Business Group (F&B Group), under the patronage of the Ministry of Economy and Dubai Chamber of Commerce, announced the 5th edition of the Future Food Forum 2023, which continues to drive the progress of the F&B sector and symbolizes the incessant efforts. key players in the field to promote sustainable well-being. The event is supported by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and will take place on September 20 and 21, 2023.
One of the largest platforms hosting senior executives and policy makers, the Future Food Forum 2023 will address changing consumption patterns and analyze different aspects of the growth of the F&B sector, which is expected to reach $94.4 billion this year. He will discuss trends and challenges in investments, innovation, food safety and retail to provide solutions that ensure the holistic health and well-being of end consumers.
In the context of optimism generated by population growth and the increase in disposable income per capita, the conference will address the evolution of consumption paradigms. The Forum will highlight the progress of the F&B sector while discussing access to domestic and international markets, fostering investment opportunities and managing market risks, such as inflation, food security and the impact of climate change. With the participation of leading business councils from around the world and organizations such as the International Islamic Food Processors Association (IFPA), the Forum will establish the roadmap to enable the food sector business ecosystem to ‘achieve economic and climate sustainability goals in the UAE.
“The market has become very dynamic and, as a result, all players in the sector have been greatly impacted in recent years. The industry has had to adapt to changing trends, changing consumer preferences, changing views on health and wellness, and rising inflation. The Forum is a platform for stakeholder interaction and creation of partnership opportunities for government and private sector stakeholders to advance the regional food and beverage sector,” commented Saleh Lootah, Chairman of Food and Beverage Business Group.
He added: “The Forum takes place a few weeks before COP28 and we hope to discuss the key challenges and opportunities of the F&B sector and its contribution to the UAE’s zero goals and global food security and create a roadmap for industry leadership. At the heart of future food innovation is fostering strong collaboration and alliances to build a resilient and sustainable food ecosystem.
While ranking highest in the Middle East and Africa in food security among the 56 countries with the lowest risk in terms of food security management, most MEA countries rely heavily on imports and face disruptions in food supply chains due to factors such as geopolitical conflicts, drought or floods. In light of this, topics covered at the event include strengthening food security and environmental sustainability, venture capital and financing trends in food tech startups, impact investing and sustainable food initiatives, the role of food systems in the global climate dialogue, analyzing the pros and cons of wellness trends, and more.
“As a strategic partner of the Future Food Forum, we look forward to meeting stakeholders and exploring potential collaborations. Food Tech Valley is on a mission to develop a sustainable food ecosystem for the UAE, in line with the government’s strategy and directive. Key partnerships between different stakeholders in the F&B sector are essential to build a sustainable and resilient supply chain and strengthen our business environment,” commented Ahmed Al Shaibani, Project Manager of Food Tech Valley.
The overall theme of the event, “Inspiring Sustainable Wellbeing” will resonate across the MENA region’s F&B manufacturing landscape; discussions will shift to consumers looking for healthier alternatives to fast food and conventional convenience foods. This has led to more manufacturers and grocery stores offering plant-based, vegetarian and gluten-free options. In fact, research shows that 88% of consumers in the region are willing to pay more for healthier diets.
Free From Food Dubai, Europe’s leading innovation platform for ingredient-free, organic, vegan, functional and healthy food industries, co-locates as part of the Future Food Forum. Ronald Holman, event director, commented: “The ideology at the heart of Free From Food Dubai directly aligns with government initiatives and nutritional strategies to reduce sodium and trans fats, offer healthier snacks healthy children and improve the general health of the nation. This will be a great opportunity to put food manufacturing on the map within the international healthy FMCG industry. The event aims to be at the forefront of the healthy eating movement in the Middle East and learn from global industry keynote speakers and our international showcase of innovative products.
The two-day event is supported by a growing list of sponsors, including IFFCO, AGTHIA, Almarai, SGS and Hayatna as headline partners, and industry organizations such as IFPA. The Forum paved the way for several high-octane panel discussions and presentations assessing trends in the F&B sector and showcasing the government’s commitment to the food and beverage sector.
About the Future Food Forum:
The Future Food Forum 2023 is organized by the Food & Beverage Business Group; it aims to connect and develop the food and beverage manufacturing industry and leaders and foster industry growth. It is the largest gathering of senior leaders and policy makers to address changing consumption patterns and promote holistic health and well-being. The Forum will discuss trends and challenges in the region’s F&B sector. Additionally, with interactive panels, CEO roundtables and other activities, the Future Food Forum 2023 strives to become a one-stop platform for learning best practices.
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