WOP DUBAI and IPM DUBAI conclude for 2016 with an 18% increase in visitors and 8% more exhibitors compared to last year.

• WOP DUBAI saw a visitor increase of 20% from last year, while IPM DUBAI witnessed an increase of 11% 
• WOP DUBAI also witnessed an 18% increase in the number of exhibitors while IPM had 9% more this year
• Greece participated for the first time with a country pavilion and had the largest country presence at the show
• New technologies from Dubai Municipality and the United Kingdom were introduced to the market at the show

Dubai. UAE, 16 November 2016:  The 8th International Perishables Expo (WOP DUBAI) and the 11th International Plants Expo Middle East (IPM DUBAI) came to a close today, as both exhibitions saw an increase in terms of visitors (18%), exhibitors (8%), and floor space (21%) since last year. Feedback from this year’s shows was very positive with exhibitors already looking forward to their return in 2017.

Among the newcomers this year was Argentina, representing South America’s first country presence at the show.  Greece showcased a large variety of fruits at WOP DUBAI and had the largest country presence this year with their first country pavilion. Specialising in Kiwi imports, Michalis Xekarfotakis, President of NESPAR, an agriculture cooperative in Greece, shared his positive experience at WOP DUBAI saying “Coming here with a country pavilion was certainly the right choice as we were able to meet and connect with the many key local players in the market. WOP helped us better understand the local market and allowed us the opportunity to expand.”

He adds, “The Middle East’s geographic location, culture, and the people’s appreciation for quality fruits, make it a very important market for Greece’s imports. We are definitely coming back next year.”

New technologies were also launched and introduced to the UAE market and the rest of the Middle East at WOP DUBAI. Dubai Municipality’s smart cart was unveiled at the opening, and British company, AIRCOOLBOX, introduced their durable, re-usable, insulated airfreight container to the Middle East market at WOP DUBAI. Keith Packer, managing director of AIRCOOLBOX said “We’re proud to attend WOP DUBAI for the first time this year to demonstrate AIRCOOLBOX in a region where temperatures can be very high, for perishable goods this can be an issue. In the past, a producer would export asparagus from Thailand to the UK by paying for expensive point to point freight. Now, with AIRCOOLBOX, they can choose an airline such as Emirates and ship via Dubai, without worrying about spoilage.” Packer went on to say “We need to change the way people think about perishables.”

IPM DUBAI also gave exhibitors and visitors access to the latest technological advancements in the horticulture industry, from greenhouses and plant nurseries to garden equipment and logistics solutions. With the boom in the UAE’s tourism industry and the promising future ahead of Expo2020, the UAE is set to be one of the fastest growing markets in the horticulture sector. IPM DUBAI’s exhibitors felt the growth in this year’s show.

“I attended IPM DUBAI with 11 exporters from India this year and the response we received was great. We would like to participate again next year in a more elaborate manner”, says Coir Board’s Private Secretary to the Chairman, Mr. T.C. Manikandan Pillai. Dr. Steinmeyer from Germany’s Brill Substrate added, “The quality of the visitors each year is excellent for us and the rest of the German pavilion. It makes sense for us to keep returning each year.”

In response to the positive feedback from the show’s exhibitors and visitors, Tarek Sibai, project manager at planetfair, said “Feedback from our visitors and exhibitors are testament to the shows’ importance and significance in the perishables and horticulture industry. WOP DUBAI and IPM DUBAI continue to be the region’s two most important events in this sector and we are very happy to see that, year on year, we have managed to give our exhibitors and visitors a fruitful and lucrative experience.”