A simple labelling mis-translation gave rise to widespread rumours that an international chocolate brand’s formulation contained alcohol, Dubai authorities have revealed following a probe.
Iraq’s inability to tackle the cause of bird flu means the deadly virus is likely to spread across neighbouring countries, according to an expert on animal diseases.
Global cooking oil major Mazola is placing its focus on expanding even further into the Middle East’s growing non-retail sector by appointing Farm Fresh as its new distributor for food-service business in the UAE.
One of the Middle East’s biggest food importers has unveiled the region’s largest production factory. The new Arab & India Spices plant in Ajman was built with an investment of AED350m (US$95m).
Local dairy major Almarai was named Saudi Arabia’s favourite brand in the YouGov 2016 Mid-year BestBrand rankings, alongside Emirates airline in the UAE and Facebook in Egypt.
Qatar could see the introduction of “sin taxes” as the government seeks new ways to fund spending over the next three years, according to a ministerial report.
Euromonitor International has pinpointed several promising chocolate markets that may help manufacturers offset slowdowns in traditional emerging markets such as China and Brazil.
WorldFish has appointed Intertek as its quality partner as the international aquaculture researcher assists with upgrading production at some 100 fish farms in Egypt.
Japan’s Marubeni Corporation, Showa Denko K.K. and Chiyoda Corporation will jointly develop an overseas artificially-lit vegetable factory business with a base in the UAE that promises to harvest crops throughout the year.
Saudi plastics giant Sabic has developed the first of a new generation of Flowpact polypropylene impact copolymers to make injection-moulded rigid packaging stronger and cheaper.
An influential new report has identified Egypt as one of the “10 emerging markets of the future” though its food industry is predicted to see a dramatic change in fortunes as part of an overall predicted slump in its primary industries over the next five...
Ukraine’s MHP has reported growth in poultry production, with sales reinforced by a robust export upswing to the Middle East in its preliminary half-year results, posted on 19 July.
The Middle East is a bright spot for Brazil’s confectionery industry as the only global market seeing growth, with Brazilian producers hoping to capitalise further on synergies with the region.
The sale of Americana finally went ahead this month, with Adeptio paying US$2.4bn, while NFPC abandoned its sale attempt, with potential buyers’ scepticism over expansion plans blamed.
Kuwaiti food conglomerate Mezzan Holding will buy into Saudi Arabia’s Al Safi Food for up to US$25m, while EIP, one of the buyers of Diamond Meat Processing, eyes further purchases.
Dubai wants to become a key food distribution and production hub for the Middle East, as part of its new 2030 Industrial Strategy which aims to add US$44bn to the emirate’s economy.
Egypt launches an investigation into potentially widespread fraud in its wheat procurement process, as the USDA claims wasteful food and agribusiness policies cost the country US$800m a year.
Sales of products with ethical labels of some sort reached more than US$2bn in the UAE last year, according to Euromonitor, with recycling and preservatives the main areas of focus.
Mirroring western research, the first major Middle Eastern study investigating the link between diet and mental health finds that healthy eating is associated with a lower risk of anxiety and depression.
Start-up Nowrish has launched the first fasting supplement - a mix of vitamins, minerals and herbs formulated to support the body’s cleansing, immune, digestive and energy production systems during periods of fasting like Ramadan, but without making any...
Muslim consumers may be unintentionally consuming significant quantities of “hidden” haram ingredients in food products thanks to complex supply chains, according to a new report.
Australian produce distributor Valleyfresh has announced it will open an office in Saudi Arabia in a bid to expand its operations and strengthen its relationships in the Middle East.
The outlook for food security in the Middle East is not hopeful, but growing pressure may start to force policy change across the region, according to the International Food Policy Research Institute.
Polish apple producers shut out of the Russian market are turning to the UAE, but now face challenges from long-held consumer expectations, according to the head of the Polish Fruit Union.
Two UAE-based investment firms have bought a significant stake in Austrian energy drink producer Power Horse, and plan to expand the business’s reach beyond its Middle Eastern stronghold.
Saudi, UAE and Egyptian shoppers are prepared to switch brands for a bargain even as they increase their food spend during Ramadan—a time when the UAE Ministry of Economy pays US$68m on food subsidies.
Palestinian meat producer Siniora has bought the UAE firm Diamond Meat Processing (DMP) in a deal worth US$17m, in order to expand into the UAE and wider GCC.
The sale of Americana to investor consortium Adeptio will not proceed, both parties announced on Sunday, ending a transaction which could have been worth as much as US$4bn.
Brazilian agribusiness exporters are expanding their markets in the Middle East, as poultry sales boom, Saudi rice imports ramp up, and live cattle exports to Egypt are set to resume.
Egypt has exceeded its domestic wheat-buying target, paying farmers for more than 4.3m tonnes, but plans to keep purchasing wheat until the end of the season as reformers look to the future.
US private equity firm TPG Capital may buy Spinneys Egypt for US$100m, as Gulf Capital announces the acquisition of GCC food distributor Multibrands to target the fast-growing Saudi F&B market.
After several years of hardship the Iranian soft drink sector is heading back towards stronger growth – but remains under threat from economic uncertainty, according to a Euromonitor report.
China, the United Arab Emirates and Australia are expected to be the fastest-growing vegan markets between 2015 and 2020, according to data from Euromonitor International’s newly launched ethical labels database.
Savola Group, Saudi Arabia’s biggest food producer, reported a 80.3% fall in first-quarter net profits, missing analysts’ forecasts and after an exceptional gain made a year ago.
Armed conflict and revolutions have halted and in some cases reverse progress made by Middle Eastern and North African countries in reaching the UN’s development goals.
Global colours major GNT Group has opened an affiliate office in Dubai to service GCC countries which, the company says, are “becoming aware of the need for real colour solutions”.
Urban Cultivator has appointed Italian Food Masters as its sole distributor to supply its hydroponic gardening appliances to consumers and food service operators in the United Emirates.
Fajr Capital, a private equity investor in high-growth markets across the Middle East and Asia, has completed its acquisition of Cravia Group, one of the fastest-growing food and beverage platforms in the Middle East.
At the crossroads of east and west, Turkey offers huge promise but given the current political and economic situation, there are also challenges. FoodNavigator spoke to both Turkish and global companies at Food Ingredients in Istanbul this month to get...
Despite hopes from Iranian meat exporters that they could increase supplies to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), deliveries to the region, including most of the post-Soviet Union area, are not yet happening.
Harmonisation of Turkish and EU food law make it an easy and attractive market for foreign companies, but on issues that affect public health - such as nutrient profiles, health claims, GM food and salt reduction - the country is forging its own path. FoodNavigator...
