Food Turkey Magazine September 2017

Growing appetite for seafood
drives demand at Middle East’s
largest dedicated seafood expo
SEAFEX provides
key platform for
international
suppliers to meet
regional demand
expected to reach
US$ 7.3 billion by
2021
46 FOOD TURKEY September 2017
DUBAI – Seafood consumption in
the Middle East continues to grow
at well above the global average,
driven by the region’s economic development,
increasing appeal of the
healthy protein, and more effective
supply chain distribution to ensure
optimum quality of the popular ingredient.
According to the Food &
Agricultural Organization (FAO),
countries such as the UAE consume
an average of 33kg per capita a year,
almost double the global average
of 18kg. It is clear that SEAFEX, the
region’s largest dedicated seafood
expo, powered by Gulfood, becomes
more important every year
in helping to keep the pipeline of
seafood between suppliers and the
F&B, retail and hospitality sectors
open and flowing.
Taking place from 18-20 September
2017 at the Dubai World Trade
Centre, SEAFEX is one of six hospitality
and niche food trade shows
co-located under the umbrella of
the Dubai International Hospitality
Week (DIHW). Now in its sixth year,
SEAFEX has become a key platform
for the sourcing of seafood from
around the world, enabling suppliers
in the region to meet a growing
demand. According to Euromonitor
International, the fish and seafood
market is expected to reach a value
of US$ 7.3 billion by 2021.