Frozen halal food products will be in high profile at Gulfood 2022, which is set take place February 13-17 at the Dubai World Trade Center in the United Arab Emirates. Again, as was the case last year when Gulfood 2021 carefully proceeded while many trade shows around the world were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, organizers are fully committed to providing a safe environment to conduct business, in accordance with health and safety guidelines set out by local authorities.
The worldwide halal food industry was valued at US $1.9 trillion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.3 percent between 2020 and 2026. The market has been segmented into many categories based on the product, including meat, poultry, seafood, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, cereals and grains, oil, fats, waxes, confectionery, and others.
According to MarketsandMarkets research, meat, poultry, and seafood now account for the vast majority of the overall market share. These days, halal products are becoming more popular among non-Muslim as well as Muslim customers because they deliver food safety, sanitation and dependability, which are primary drivers for growth in the halal food industry. In catering to this trend, the number of items to be showcased by over 4,000 exhibitors from over 180 countries at Gulfood Dubai 2022 has expanded, with frozen food products being one of the most inventive categories. A sample of the frozen fare that visitors to the Dubai fair check out is detailed below.
Artisan Crystal Bread Rises at Bidfood Guzmán Stand
Barcelona-based Bidfood Guzmán is regarded as one of the most prominent foodservice specialists in Spain, focusing on bread and a wide range of frozen products, thanks to the integrated alliance of companies which the group is made of. At Gulfood, Bidfood will display an artisan bakery line of products via a process carried out in an adapted facility designed for handicrafts.
Among innovations spotlighted will be Cystal Bread (pictured above), an exclusive product developed by its Guzmán artisanal bread unit. The handmade product features a very thin crust and a soft and alveolate crumb with a porous, crispy and spongy texture. The product is promoted as “the perfect accompaniment to highlight the ingredients of any dish.”
Bridor and Pierre Hermé Launch Viennese Pastries
Servon Sur Vilaine, Bretagne, France-headquartered frozen baked goods specialist has partnered with world-renowned pastry chef Pierre Hermé to launch a new collection of Viennese pastries that take inspiration from traditional and artisanal baking methods. The range includes a Mini Croissant and Pain au Chocolat featuring chocolate from Madagascar, an Almond and Pistachio stuffed Croissant, an Almond and Lemon Croissant, and an Apple and Ceylon Cinnamon Triangle.
The Bridor x Pierre Hermé Paris collection pays particular attention to the selection and sourcing of natural ingredients. For example, the Almond and Lemon Croissant taps into Sicilian lemon juice selected for its unique taste and acidity to reinforce the citrus flavor. In addition, a millet topping yields an extra crunchy texture.
Lutosa Introduces CrispySalted Potatoes
In the growing take-away and home delivery market, Leuze-en-Hainaut, Belgium-headquartered Lutosa is offering a new range of fries marketed as “Crispy Salted,” boasting a special coating that ensures crispness for up to 25 minutes. This variety assures a longer holding time than classic fries and provides crispy fries.
Lutosa, established in 1978 and a unit of McCain Foods since 2013, manufactures and markets a wide range of frozen french fries and specialties including Pom’ Pin, Duchesse, Spicy Wedges, Röstis and Mashed Potatoes, as well as an organic range. It also packs pre-fried chilled chips and dehydrated potato flakes. Ninety-five percent of the production is exported to 141 different countries.
GlobalFries Comes Loaded with Potatoes
Vleteren, Belgium-based GlobalFries will present a variety of frozen french fries at Gulfood under the Bart’s Gourmet, Bart’s Tradition and Bart’s Gourmet Specialties banners, among other brand names. It boasts a wide range of value added fries in various shapes and forms ranging from wedges and crinkle cuts to straight cuts, shoestrings, and coated offerings.
GlobalFries (AKA Bart’s Potato Company) is a family-owned potato products export company established in 1966 by José Lamaire, originally under his surname. The Lamaire Group handles approximately 200,000 tons every year.
Mydibel’s Wide Range of Value Added Potato Products
Another Belgian spud specialist, Mouscron-based Mydibel, will spotlight frozen potato-based cut products presented in different shapes and forms including slices, dices and quarters, peeled or with skin. The offering range from shoestrings, classic, traditional, super, steakhouse, skin-on fries, crinkle-cut fries and more.
In addition, Mydibel will also present its range of novelties including noisettes, hearts and waffles, as well as mashed potatoes and hash browns pre-fried in vegetable oil and formed into various shapes, such as triangles, ovals and patties.
In business since 1988, Mydibel is a family business that employs more than 650 people and exports a wide range of potato products to more than 120 countries worldwide.
Kontos Brings Greek Specialties to Dubai
Kontos Foods is a privately held manufacturer of frozen Greek and Mediterranean-style baked goods operating in Paterson, New Jersey, since 1986. It offers over 60 varieties of hand-stretched ethnic flatbreads and other products, including Pocket-Less Pita, High Protein Greek Lifestyle Flatbread, PreGrilled Panini, Gorditas, Naans and Wraps. All are 100% Vegetarian and devoid of trans fats.
Kontos also produces fillo dough and fillo products, including appetizers and desserts such as Spanakopita and Baklava. All offerings in its portfolio are certified halal and kosher.
Le Duc Fine Food on Time with Meatless Snacks
As producers of vegetable appetizers, Le Duc Fine Food has exclusively vegetarian fare in an extensive assortment. Its line of convenience products features potatoes, cheese, mushrooms and other flavorful ingredients.
At Gulfood, the Stellendam, Netherlands-based company will showcases of Onion Rings, Cheese Appetizers, Veggie Burgers, Veggie Fries, Breaded Mushrooms and Sweet Potato Fries. Le Duc brand products are pre-deep-fried with sunflower oil, are GMO-free and halal suitable. According to the SQMS standards, they are also BRS and IFS certified.
Virto Group Highlights the Villazar Brand
The Azagra, Navarra-Spain-headquartered Virto Group’s highlight novelty for Gulfood 2022 is the new Villazar brand. Focused on the retail sector, its aim wants to “refresh the frozen aisle” for retailers looking for a brand their private label as well as established brand SKUs.
The Villazar convenience range includes high-quality vegetables, mixes, cereals, ready meals, and fruits distributed in multilingual packaging. All products have been developed for quick and easy preparation in home kitchens. For Virto Group, the NPD focuses on new healthy and balanced ready meals based on vegetables and cereals and plant-based solutions, organic mixes, and classic ingredients with added value in texture, cuts, and flavors.
Growing Product Launches with Halal Claims
Given the increasing number of halal dietary adherents and followers, global food product launches with halal claims rose by 19 percent between 2018 and 2020, according to the MarketsandMarkets research company. Most of these launches were in Asia, with Africa and the Middle East following closely behind.
In addition, global businesses in the food industry have boosted their investments in the developing halal food market. For example, Tokyo, Japan-headquartered Ajinomoto committed $85 million to construct a halal manufacturing facility in Malaysia which is scheduled to open later this year. In addition, Sanichi Technology is investing $300 million in a halal gelatin facility and industrial park in Malaysia, which would be the first of its type in the country and region.
According to recent research, Muslim consumers are increasingly seeking goods and services compatible with their Islamic way of life. The Middle East and Asia-Pacific, which is home to almost 62% of the world’s Muslim population, has emerged as the area with the highest growth in halal foods. Indonesia is one of the key nations in the region with retail sales value, ranking second only to the United States.
Furthermore, favorable government rules for halal food in GCC nations have led to the rapid expansion of the halal food industry across the Middle East and Africa. Future demand in Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates is expected to be driven by a rising population and gains in disposable income. According to the DinarStandard State of the Global Islamic Economy Report for 2021, non-Muslim customers have a favorable attitude toward halal food and believe it is more sanitary and healthier than non-halal cuisine.
However, the popularity of halal cuisine is spreading into areas not traditionally associated with them. Halal foods may readily be included in other popular food and nutrition trends, such as plant-based or vegan diets, slightly altering the raw material and ingredient requirements. In addition, because of the stricter regulations and more openness in food labeling, halal certification is a good fit with the clean-label movement as well.
Although Covid-19 caused a disruption in the sector’s supply chain, it aided the expansion and innovation of the local halal food business. In the aftermath of the pandemic, pre-made halal meals and ready-to-cook halal dinners are expected to continue gaining popularity, but there is still space for development in the other categories. In addition, the rapid digital revolution has resulted in the use of e-commerce and home delivery services and halal cloud or “ghost kitchen” facilities.
Halal food applications have also gained popularity among younger customers. For example, in March 2020 Jahez, a Saudi Arabian delivery company, received $36 million for its commission-free halal food ordering service, DeliverDXB, headquartered in Dubai. Over time, implementing similar halal standards throughout the Organization of Islamic Cooperation nations will likely increase halal goods’ popularity and market share in the global food trade.
Speakers, Conferences and Events for Youth and Women
In addition to the traditional food and beverage exhibition for which Gulfood is best known, organizers of the show have planned a jam-packed conference program featuring over 200 speakers from the food and beverage industry, including ministers and policymakers, retail executives, technologists, agriculturists, analysts, and futurists. Furthermore, a special series of events aimed at young people and women in the industry, as well as cooking demonstrations and a series of educational seminars are on the calendar.
Exhibition attendees may participate in a first-of-its-kind event called the “Gulfood Top Table,” which will include a lineup of award-winning chefs, influential people in the food industry, food journalists, disrupters, and worldwide trend-setters, among others. In addition, over 50 cooking seminars will be conducted by 100 chefs from across the globe, who will offer over 1,000 gastronomic creations designed to inspire.
A spotlight will be shined on the contributions of women in the business. Participants may hear the inspirational success stories of leaders altering the status quo from a diverse range of female speakers, including celebrity chefs, business executives, and government officials.
What’s more, according to the organizers, the 2022 edition will be the first “Gulfood Zero Waste” show. The concept is intended to create a sustainable food and beverage exhibition that will serve as an inspiration to those in the food industry as well as to consumers at large. During the course of the five-day event, food waste from exhibitors and live-cooking stations will be collected and transferred to a composting facility.
Many other sessions may be of interest, including one on the ever-growing E-commerce market and another on “Gulfood YouthX,” which includes a comprehensive mentoring and scholarship program, with the inaugural edition focused on Emirati chefs. In the “Gulfood Changemakers,” entrepreneurs will demonstrate their innovative F&B industry ideas. The “Gulfood StrEAT” will showcase the region’s culinary variety by having local chefs display their greatest street food creations.
