Mani & Co, a leading producer of naturally nutritious fruit and nut snacks, will introduce two new product ranges to meet the market potentials at the upcoming Gulfood, the Middle East's biggest business event for foodservice and hospitality.

Gulfood is opening tomorrow (February 21) to run until February 24 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Mani & Co — which is currently in discussion with major distributors in the GCC region — recently posted an annual sales growth of nearly 40 per cent in 2009 compared to the previous year, and the company is set to outline a plan to achieve four times as many sales during 2010, according to a statement.

The new products include a new range of Yummy XS products, which are convenient pouches (20 – 25 grams) of healthy nuts and fruits snacks combined with natural flavours such as paprika.

In terms of flavours, the brand will also be introducing new additions to the food service range, which focuses on snacks packaged specifically for distribution in restaurants and lounges.

With the new additions, the food service range will include 16 unique taste combinations, all of which will be on display during the exhibition, the statement said.

“Gulfood is a great opportunity to meet with existing and potential customers and discuss the issues affecting international supply chain operations,” said Abouzar Rahmani, managing director of Mani & Co.

“From hotels and restaurants to schools and offices, there are a lot of opportunities for businesses in the natural food sector to expand within the region, and right now we are finding ways to keep up with the demand.”

The company currently offers four product ranges; Fruitality, Yummy, Extra, and Food Service, each with defined tastes and sizes.

The company said that an increase demand for these snack options has created new community platforms for the company to explore in the coming year.

“The food sector has suffered far less than other industries in the Middle East that once seemed steadfast—including automobiles, real estate and banking, to name a few,” Rahmani continued.

“Gulfood will be the ideal platform to show investors that the food industry is the right sector to invest in and the sector that will witness continuous boom in the coming years,” he concluded. – TradeArabia News Service