2017 Yummex Middle East draws 8,500 visitors to Dubai

More than 8,500 visitors attended 2017 Yummex Middle East, the leading trade show for sweets and snacks in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Staged annually in Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) by Koelnmesse Group, the 11th edition of Yummex was held Sept. 28-20 under the new umbrella of “Dubai International Hospitality Week.” It ran concurrently with five other co-located shows: GulfHost, The Speciality Food Festival and SEAFEX Middle East, organized by DWTC, as well as The Hotel Show and The Leisure Show, organized by dmg events.

Hosting the shows together allowed exhibitors and trade visitors expanded access to the growing hospitality and foodservice market in the MENA region, as well as opened up new business potential. The region’s consistently positive market and the partner trade fair

concept also offered opportunities to make business contacts and initiate transactions in the hotel industry and food service sectors.

More than 330 exhibitors from 43 countries presented their new products and trends to 8,507 trade visitors from 111 countries. Represented for the first time were exhibitors from Argentina, Romania and Switzerland. The largest national participation came from Turkey, Germany and Malaysia.

Companies also jointly presented their sweets and snacks offerings for the region in 18 regional and international pavilions. Companies and agencies participating in the U.S. pavilion included Bazooka Candy Brands, Color Brands, Impact Confections, Jelly Belly Candy Co., Original Gourmet Food Co. and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"Yummex ME 2017 was a complete success,” said Gerald Böse, president and ceo of Koelmesse GmbH. “Exhibitors and trade visitors profited from extensive access to the retail and hospitality sectors and were able to utilize a variety of synergies and establish profitable business contacts. This further increased the attractiveness of yummex ME as a leading business platform for all those involved.”

In the context of the "Innovation Corner,” two presentations highlighted this year's event : yummex ME trend partner Innova Markets Insights showcased "Sweet Trends," discussing global industry trends and underlining their importance for the MENA region. For the fourth year, Innovation Awards were presented to newly-launched sweets and snacks products.

The increase in the number of participants and of submitted products demonstrates the growing interest in innovations and the awards. An independent jury of experts evaluated the many submissions for the competition from regional and international companies. The prizewinners were exhibited at yummex ME in the "Innovation Corner" and will also be presented in Cologne from Jan. 28-31 at the ISM, the world's leading trade fair for sweets and snacks.

2017 Innovation Awards winners

Best Bakery Product

Y3K Cosmic Cookie Mousse Cake

Y3K, LLC (USA)

Best Chocolate Product

Fitmeals Protein Chocolate Crossies

Fitmeals GmbH (Germany)

Best Hard & Soft Candy Product

Nom Noms Sours Cola

Blooming Foods FZCO

(United Arab Emirates)

Best Snack Product