The Gulf region’s rising per capita seafood consumption will be discussed at the Seafex 2014, the region's biggest international trade fair for the seafood industry in Dubai, UAE, next  month.

The event will host both regional and international aquaculture companies that will showcase technologies - such as hatcheries, harvesting of plants and animals, processing and trading - designed to enhance future production of regional seafood products.

Seafex will have more than 100 exhibitors from 22 countries confirming participation in the November 9 -11 show at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the new pavilions include Greece, Spain, Peru, Chile, Thailand, Taiwan and Iran.

A report by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), the Middle East - particularly the GCC – revealed its per capita average seafood consumption has almost doubled from 2010 to 2013. With the regional average only 14.4 kg per year back in 2010, the UAE and Oman’s per capita seafood consumption were among the world’s highest at 28.6 kg per year last year.

The GCC’s per capita average seafood consumption is also expected to increase year-on-year in-line with the Gulf countries population growth. The Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) forecasts the GCC population will reach 53.5 million by 2020.
In order to meet the increasing regional demand for seafood, various GCC governments have already implemented developmental initiatives designed to foster greater domestic production. In the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman, more investments are being directed towards aquaculture - the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of plants and animals in all types of water environments including ponds, rivers, lakes and the ocean. The main aquaculture producers in the region are Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Earlier this year, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Agriculture invested an additional $10.6 billion into aquaculture projects to produce one million tonnes of fish in the next 16 years, while the Omani government has already granted aquaculture licences to 19 projects worth $332 million in 2014, with additional plans to invest $1.3 billion in fisheries’ development by 2020.

The 2014 edition of Seafex is 56 per cent larger than its launch event in 2012.

Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president, DWTC, said: “Our largest edition of Seafex underlines its position as a strategic platform supporting the region’s growing seafood requirements. The show is widely-regarded for facilitating trade and delivering exceptional business opportunities in a market top of attention for global manufacturers.

The exhibition, which brings together international exhibitors from seafood-related industries including hotels, restaurants, caterers, retailers, wholesalers, distributors and food processors, will tackle the increasing requirements of regional producers, buyers and suppliers, as well as showcase a broad range of new-to-market seafood products.

Seafex has also partnered with Dubai Fishermen’s Co-operative Society along with Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development.

Seafex is organised alongside The Speciality Food Festival and Sweets and Snacks Middle East. The three niche food shows are for trade and business professionals only. General public and persons under the age of 21 will not be permitted entry. Registration is available at the show upon proof of trade status. – TradeArabia News Service