ItaliaImballaggio and Packmedia go arabic
When a trade fair gains increasing recognition and se- cures a privileged place on the international stage, it quickly becomes apparent. This is certainly the case for Gulfood Manufacturing, an event that is becoming ever more essential for companies looking to do business in a dynamic part of the world where change moves at a rapid pace. For entrepreneurs, marketing professionals, and salespeople attending the fair, it also offers a wel- come window of sunshine and warmth in the midst of the European autumn - a key moment to recharge before the year’s end.
So far, these are impressions, of course - but the figures confirm the “heat” surrounding this event. Last year, Gulfood Manufacturing drew record attendance, with over 2,500 companies from 72 countries, 19 exhibition halls filled, and a well-curated calendar of conferences and seminars that earned great appreciation. This year, expectations are even higher: the fair is increasingly be- coming a key point of reference for Food & Beverage producers, the supply chain, and technological innovation across the sector.
To help you make the most of this important event, this year we are proud to present a brand-new publication, for the first time in our history available in Arabic (and English). This special issue by Packmedia by ItaliaIm- ballaggio - the brand used by the packaging division of Kairos Media Group for international communication - features in-depth content, market analyses, interviews, and highlights of the leading technologies presented by major Italian companies aiming to play a key role in Du- bai. We’ll also be following companies live from the show floor through a series of interviews published on the Itali- aImballaggio LinkedIn channel.
Among the insights we present in this issue, you’ll find a market analysis by Ucima’s MECS Research Centre on the packaging sector in the Gulf area. As the article re- veals, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates take the lead here. In 2024, they imported packaging ma- chinery worth €381 million (+44.2% vs. 2023) and €266 million (+24.5%), respectively. They are followed by Israel (€147 million) and Iran (€124 million). Also noteworthy is the strong growth of emerging markets such as Georgia (+115%), Armenia (+74.8%), and Jordan (+46.3%), reflect- ing increasingly diverse and vibrant demand.
The expansion of the Middle Eastern market goes hand in hand with the strengthening of traditional partners. Germany confirmed its position in 2024 as the leading exporter of packaging technologies, with €362.6 million and a 59.5% increase over 2023. Italy continues to hold a prominent position, with €331.4 million (+12.5%), fol- lowed by China, which reached €203.2 million (+32.8%). Finally, according to MECS’ CUBO forecasting model, the Middle East will continue to be one of the most prom- ising regions for packaging. Saudi Arabia is expected to grow at an average annual rate of +5.2% between 2024 and 2028, while the United Arab Emirates will maintain a CAGR of +3.5%. Israel also shows a positive trend, with an estimated average annual increase of +1.9%.
