Beverage products entering the Middle Eastern market need to be clean label and low in sugar in order to gain a strong local foothold, with both regulatory pressure and consumer demand firmly pushing trends in this direction.
Rubicon says that healthier, cleaner products, and localized flavours are driving beverage growth in the UAE as it seeks to stand out in ‘a very demanding market with well-travelled consumers.’
The beverage and snacking categories in the United Arab Emirates have emerged as major food and beverage industry growth drivers over the past year, despite inflationary pressures in the region.
Trade and economy leaders in Dubai are looking to position the city as the main food hub in the region, calling for more investment from international food firms and claiming its ‘political stability and ease of doing business’ are major draws.
The juice industry in the Middle East is being driven by demands for no added sugar products in the wake of rising health consciousness and government ‘sin taxes’, along with major brand efforts to make them affordable to the mass market.
Snacking giant PepsiCo has highlighted food security, healthier choices and packaging as major sustainability and business objectives in the Middle East and Asia.
Sugar reduction strategies can be an effective tool to cut production costs and lower prices whilst also satisfying Middle East consumer and government demand for healthier products, according to Tate & Lyle.
Global F&B giant PepsiCo is on the hunt for novel sustainability technology in the food and beverage sector to complement its business within the Middle Eastern region, with plans to look at other markets including Asia Pacific in the future as well.
The Middle East’s growing coffee culture has caught the eye of Minh Tien Group, a Vietnam-based producer and exporter of coffee beans looking to expand in the Gulf region.
Importer and distributor SandBox has signed exclusive distribution agreements with Filipino brands including Pacquiao coffee and Oh So Healthy snacks to launch products in the UAE and GCC region.
UAE-based NÜWATER aims to become the most sustainable beverage company in Middle East with its aluminum canned mineral water line containing a resealable lid.
UAE-based loose tea leaf company BRW Society will retail in the Spinneys supermarket chain by the end of the year after being selected as one of 24 winners of its incubator programme.
UAE’s dairy giant, Al Ain Farms has launched its first bottled water product that is lower in sodium, in a bid to improve the country’s food security and health situation.
Nestle Middle East's Al Maha factory in Dubai has started generating renewable energy with its 20,000 photovoltaic (PV) panels, that will supply 85% of the factory’s annual electricity consumption.
Singapore-based premium gourmet coffee specialist Boncafe has its eye on the China and Middle East coffee markets, banking on an increased focus on its Ready-To-Drink (RTD) products in line with current trends.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) cabinet has issued new regulations for milk, other dairy and juice and beverage products, and the licensing of manufacturers.
Food manufacturers must re-formulate to keep their consumers healthy in a region famed for its love of sugar, and many are now cottoning on to their responsibility.
While the amount of innovation in the lower alcohol beer category remains limited on a global scale, Mintel predicts activity in the sector will speed up in years to come as millennials seek healthier and less calorific beer options.
Del Monte Pacific Ltd (DMPL) and Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. have announced a series of joint ventures to offer expanded refrigerated offerings across the US.
Saudia Dairy and Foodstuff Company (Sadafco) has launched a functional laban fruit drink in the Middle East after demoing the product in the manufacturer's home market.
Despite “challenging” times in its home market, Vimto manufacturer Nichols is expecting another strong performance during the Ramadan season in the Middle East.
Can you break news in multiple formats? Are you comfortable interviewing a CEO or Greenpeace protester, food scientist, politician or legal hound? Do you have the temperament to handle daily deadlines as you work on Europe’s leading nutrition sector publication?...
A total of eight of the Middle East and North Africa’s (MENA) most talented baristas battled it out for the second edition of the MENA Cezve/Ibrik Championship at Gulfood Manufacturing this month (November 7-9).
Asia Pulp & Paper Group (APP) has launched Foopak Bio Natura Cup, a 100% bio-degradable cup for hot and cold food and beverages including ice cream, hot drinks and takeaway snacks.
The top 10 markets for 100% juice have declined over the last three years, with the exception of China, which has seen CAGR of 11% between 2012 and 2015, according to Tetra Pak.
Two UAE-based investment firms have bought a significant stake in Austrian energy drink producer Power Horse, and plan to expand the business’s reach beyond its Middle Eastern stronghold.
At the crossroads of east and west, Turkey offers huge promise but given the current political and economic situation, there are also challenges. FoodNavigator spoke to both Turkish and global companies at Food Ingredients in Istanbul this month to get...
UV disinfection company Hanovia’s core industry is working with food and beverage manufacturers, which is why it is launching its new PureLine Ultraviolet Energy Optimised (UVEO) disinfection system in the Middle East region at the Dubai Drink Technology...
The Frozen Bean has partnered with Domino, to print labels directly onto its packaging thanks to changes in the law in countries such as Saudi Arabia, India and the Middle East.
Xolution has closed a €45m equity investment round with Inventure Management, in Singapore, to fund production of its next generation XO2.0 resealable beverage can technology.
Tate & Lyle launched a menu of Middle Eastern recipes with a healthier twist at Gulfood Manufacturing, in Dubai last week (October 27–29) to tackle the growing number of consumers in the region who are concerned about rising obesity levels.
Formulation strikes, marketing makeovers, new ingredients, winning science, regulatory landscapes explained – take your seat for this and more at Sports Nutrition 2015, online and free on October 22, otherwise known as today!
PepsiCo, Mars, Mondelēz and Fonterra will focus their efforts on the Middle East at Gulfood Manufacturing in Dubai next week (October 27-29) with two conferences entitled Next Generation Manufacturing and F&B Innovation.
Kliklok International will showcase its top load cartoning equipment in partnership with KayDee Solutions at Gulfood Manufacturing 2015 in Dubai this month (October 27 –29).
India is one of the fastest growing industrial markets, according to FS-Elliott as it opens a wholly owned subsidiary, FS Compressors India, with offices in Pune and Bangalore.
This week Molson Coors acquired an Indian brewer, while Heineken announced a global reshuffle of its business. Meanwhile, there’s a new Life down under… read on for more nuggets of news in this week’s Beverage Bites feature.
Despite regional security concerns, attractive soft drinks sales growth in the Middle East and North Africa still entices manufacturers, according to Euromonitor International.
The Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company plans to invest $500m over the next three years to drive sales of soft drinks including flag brand Ravi in the Middle East, North Africa and beyond.
