Business opportunities and industry trends surrounding the trade of fresh edible produce will be the focus of an exhibition to be held in Dubai from November 17.

The fifth edition of the three-day WOP (World of Perishables) Dubai International Perishables Expo Middle East will take place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, said the Dubai Municipality and event organiser planetfair at a press conference.
 
The exhibition will run concurrently with its sister event IPM Dubai – The International Plants Expo Middle East, it said.

Since 2008, UAE has witnessed a steady growth in the import of fresh fruits and vegetables. According to figures released by the UAE National Bureau of Statistics and the Ministry of Commerce, the country imported nearly 1.4 billion kg of fruits and vegetables, valued at approximately Dh4.2 billion ($1.1 billion) in the first six months of 2012.

Dubai, in particular, has been seeing significant trade activity, with the emirate proving to be the regional re-export hub for perishable goods. In 2010, the emirate alone imported over 1.1 billion kg of fresh fruits valued at over Dh4 billion, while exports, worth approximately Dh90 million, amounted to nearly 38 million kg.

The top fresh produce exporters to the UAE are the US, India, China and South Africa with Chile, France, Egypt, Pakistan, Philippines, Turkey and Australia not far behind.

WOP Dubai 2013 is expected to attract more than 7,000 visitors from around the world, in addition to over 130 exhibitors coming from all over Europe, Africa, Asia, GCC, the Middle East and the Americas. This year’s edition has added a substantial increase in space and capacity with over 8,000 sq m of gross space available, along with more services options.

Tarek Sibai, project manager of planetfair, said: “WOP Dubai is the ideal platform to get face-to-face with buyers and decision makers from across the Middle East and the world to meet new potentials, evaluate competition and explore fresh markets.”

The exhibition profile covers the entire product chain comprising fresh products, technical equipment, fresh produce safety, trading and services, transport and logistics, fresh produce trading and fresh produce services. - TradeArabia News Service