VIV MEA PREVIEW
VIV MEA 2018 PREPARES TO RECEIVE INDUSTRY LEADERS IN ANIMAL PROTEINS
Preparations are nearing completion for the second edition of feed-to-food international business hub event VIV MEA , which takes place in Abu Dhabi , the capital of the United Arab Emirates , between 5th-7th February 2018 . With expansion into an extra hall adding about 25 % to its exhibition area and to the number of exhibitors , VIV MEA 2018 will offer an even wider range of products and services for animal protein providers from the Middle East and Africa to Iran and the countries of the Indian sub-continent .
The visitors ' registration system to sign up for VIV MEA 2018 is online on the show website www . vivmea . nl and is available in English , Arabic , French and Farsi to better welcome all attendees . While the registration will be open until show time , the organisers recommend signing up early and so being sure to benefit fully from the services available in preparation for a successful visit .
Encouraging for poultry The build-up to the February 2018 show is taking place against a backdrop of new investment in supply channels for animal proteins within the region . Both international companies and local producers are investing to involve themselves more deeply amid strong forecasts for further regional growth .
In November 2017 , for example , an Aviagen MEA event heard that there are encouraging prospects for the poultry industry in the Middle East and North Africa over the coming years . Nan-Dirk Mulder , Global Animal Protein Specialist at Rabobank International , told the meeting that the region ' s market size continues to grow due to a fastrising local population and increased poultry consumption . A growth rate averaging 3.4 per cent per year is forecast for Middle East / North Africa ( MENA ) poultry meat market tonnage between 2015 and 2020 .
“ Globally , the animal protein market is set to grow by 45 per cent in the next 20 years ,” he says . “ About 14 per cent of the global growth is expected to occur in the MENA area and another 6 per cent in sub- Saharan Africa .
“ The big strategic challenge within MENA is how to supply the individual national markets . Some tend to choose for local supply , while the importing countries are increasingly focused on a food security strategy by establishing local support for production and stimulating global investments in potential supply regions for the Middle East . There have been several investments already recently -- especially in beef , but also some in poultry .”
Morocco to be Country of Honour VIV MEA 2018 offers an outstanding professional platform and a series of activities aiming at connecting the regional industry players with international providers . “ Taken together , the trade show with its more than 300 exhibiting companies and the conferences with their international perspective look sure to add up to a highly valuable information resource for industry leaders from our target areas ,” says VIV MEA show manager Renate Wiendels . “ We are looking forward to welcoming visitors from many countries . Already we know that there will be officially organised delegations
16 GULF AGRICULTURE JANUARY FEBRUARY 2018