FOOD BUSINESS GULF & ME July-Sept 2019 | Page 14

ANUGA PREVIEW 12 WORLD'S LARGEST TRADE FAIR FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGES W hat is coming, what is staying and what is new? The entire diversity of the world of food and beverages will be on display again from 5 to 9 October 2019 in Cologne. Whether vegetarian and vegan, gluten and lactose-free, superfoods or ready-to-go products - there is something for all needs. Around 7,400 exhibitors from 100 countries are using the world's most important industry meeting for the food and beverage industry to present their latest trends and innovations. The trend themes reflect the current developments within the industry. Beyond this, Anuga places a consistent focus on the industry trends of the future. In addition to diversity and internationality, the "10 trade shows under one roof" trade fair concept, offers top buyers from all over the world also a close interlinking with the respective trend themes. The clear structure divided up into industry- specific segments ensures a good orientation. Each of the individual trade shows is unique in itself and in some cases also the leaders of their segment. The following trends will play a key role at Anuga 2019. Functional and free from products "Free-from" is becoming an increasingly more popular category. In 2018, 23% of all new foods carried a "free-from" notice. Gluten-free products stand out within this group. In 2018, 58% of all free-from products were gluten-free products, whereby vegan products with an average annual increase of 30% since 2014 (annual overall growth 2014-2018) recorded excellent growth. Halal Food Halal-certified food that corresponds to the Islamic dietary rules, is gaining significance. The increasing demand for halal ready-made products in the Near East, combined with the growing demand in the West, is leading to a strong growth in the segment of halal-certified food. Kosher Products The demand for kosher products is increasingly strongly. The distribution of these foodstuffs, which correspond with the dietary rules, is increasing according to data provided by Innova Market Insights on product introductions. Non-GMO Products Over the past years, North America has taken over from Europe as the leading market region for "non-GMO" notices. Growth has also been recorded in Latin America. Most of the newly introduced non-GMO products fall under the categories bakery products, dairy products and snacks, whereby the overall penetration of such notices is the highest in the sections cereals and baby and toddler food. Organic Products The percentage of new products that fall under the organic segment grew from 8.8% of the new introductions in 2014 up to 10.5% in 2018. In Europe with an average annual growth of 15.5% the share of organic seals among the newly introduced European foodstuffs is even more significant (annual overall growth 2014-2018). FOOD BUSINESS GULF & MIDDLE EAST JULY-SEPTEMBER 2019