Dubai Municipality and planetfair launch 5th edition of The International Perishables Expo Middle East in Dubai

September 24, 2013

Dubai Municipality and event organiser planetfair today (September 24, 2013) announced at a press conference the launch of the fifth edition of WOP (World of Perishables) Dubai International Perishables Expo Middle East that will be held from November 17 to 19 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre. Being held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and Chairman of Dubai Municipality, WOP DUBAI 2013 will continue to be the ideal platform to explore business opportunities as well as discuss industry trends and the best technologies and practices surrounding the thriving trade of fresh edible produce.

WOP DUBAI will run concurrently with its sister event IPM DUBAI – The International Plants Expo Middle East. Being held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports, for the past eight years, IPM DUBAI has also consistently been regarded as the region's largest plants and flowers trade fair, attracting hundreds of international exhibitors.  

Owing to its strategic location close to Europe, Asia and Africa, the UAE has emerged as a major hub linking the Arabian Gulf with producer markets in the region as well as connecting global producer and consumer centers.

Since 2008, the UAE has witnessed a steady growth in the import of fresh fruits and vegetables. According to figures released by the UAE National Bureau of Statistics and the Ministry of Commerce, in the first six months of 2012, the UAE imported nearly 1.4 billion kgs of fruits and vegetables, valued at approximately AED 4.2 billion.

Dubai in particular has been seeing significant trade activity, with the emirate proving to be the regional re-export hub for perishable goods. In 2010, Dubai alone imported over 1.1 billion kgs of fresh fruits at a value of over AED 4 billion, while exports, worth approximately AED 90 million, amounted to nearly 38 million kgs. Dubai also re-exported 463 million kgs of fresh fruits in 2010, valued at nearly AED 1.5 billion. Figures were also substantial for fresh vegetables in 2010, with Dubai importing approximately 590 million kgs, worth AED 1.3 billion; exporting nearly 1 million kgs at a value of AED 5.7 million and re-exporting 53 million kgs valued at AED 118 million.

The top fresh produce exporters to the UAE are the USA, India, China and South Africa with Chile, France, Egypt, Pakistan, Philippines, Turkey and Australia not far behind.

WOP DUBAI has witnessed tremendous success since its inception in 2009 with a 15 per cent increase in total booked space in 2012 and a growth of 24 per cent in attendance from 2011. Last year, exhibitors from 17 countries participated in the exhibition with 49 per cent coming from Europe alone while 47 per cent of the visitors were from outside the UAE.

WOP DUBAI 2013 is expected to attract more than 7,000 visitors from around the world, in addition to over 130 exhibitors coming from all over Europe, Africa, Asia, GCC, the Middle East and The Americas. The highly-awaited event is welcoming 20 exhibiting countries with 10 official participating pavilions. Moreover, like the previous edition, this year will continue to add a substantial increase in space and capacity with over 8,000 sqm of gross space available, along with more services options.

H.E Eng. Abdullah Mohammed Rafi', Assistant Director-General of the Planning & Engineering Sector, said, “Dubai has established itself as the regional hub for the trade of fresh fruits and vegetables, making it the ideal destination for hosting an event as significant as WOP. Dubai Municipality has been extending its total support to this event, which over the last five years, has built its reputation as the dedicated gateway where the fresh produce industry traders and professionals can meet to explore business opportunities and learn about the latest industry innovations.”

Tarek Sibai, Project Manager, planetfair, said, “Dubai is such a multi-cultural hub and home to many nationalities, which is a key driving force for the imports of fruits and vegetables from across the globe. Just like many other industries in Dubai, fresh fruits and vegetables trade has emerged as one of the most booming industries with brisk sales even during the peak of the recession. Given the strategic location of Dubai, growing population and recovering economy, the sector is poised for further growth. WOP Dubai is the ideal platform to get face-to-face with buyers and decision makers from across the Middle East and the world to meet new potentials, evaluate competition and explore fresh markets.”

The annual WOP Dubai International Perishables Expo Middle East is the leading and only dedicated exhibition for fresh fruits and vegetables show in the Middle East. The well-structured exhibition profile covers the entire products chain comprising Fresh Products, Technical Equipment, Fresh Produce Safety, Trading and Services, Transport and Logistics, Fresh Produce Trading and Fresh Produce Services.