Overview of Free From Food Dubai 2024

Date & Venue:

The Free From Food Expo Dubai 2024 will take place on October 2nd and 3rd, 2024, at the Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre. This premier event will run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on both days.

About:

Free From Food Expo Dubai is the leading B2B trade show in the Middle East dedicated to healthy, free-from, organic, plant-based, and functional food segments. The event brings together top international food manufacturers, importers, traders, and retailers, offering a strategic platform to foster innovation, collaboration, and business growth. Partnering with organizations like the UAE Food & Beverage Business Group (FBMG), the expo integrates matchmaking programs and an insightful Future Food Forum to address key trends in the food industry.

Industry Segments:

Healthy food, Free-from food, Organic, Vegan, Plant-based, Functional food, Gluten-free, Lactose-free, Nut-free, Sugar-free, Keto, Paleo.

Market Size & Overview of the Industry Segment:

The global healthy food market continues to expand rapidly, driven by rising consumer demand for organic, vegan, gluten-free, and other specialty dietary products. In 2023, the healthy food market was valued at approximately $941 billion globally, with a projected CAGR of 8.5% until 2030. In the Middle East, particularly in the UAE, the demand for healthier and “free-from” products is experiencing substantial growth as consumers become more health-conscious and as regulations for food transparency tighten. Dubai is emerging as a hub for food innovation, and the Free From Food Expo is a crucial platform for both local and international businesses to tap into this dynamic market.

Attendance & Participation:

The 2024 edition expects to host over 2,000 B2B visitors and feature more than 50 global exhibitors from various regions, including Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The show offers an extensive business matchmaking program, enabling visitors to meet key decision-makers and form valuable partnerships.

Who Should Visit:

This event is tailored for food manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers, hospitality providers, and industry professionals involved in the healthy, free-from, and functional food sectors. It also caters to those seeking insight into the latest innovations in plant-based, organic, and vegan product lines. Additionally, executives, government regulators, investors, and procurement specialists looking to expand their portfolio in the Middle East’s booming healthy food market will find immense value in attending.

This overview sets the stage for the Free From Food Dubai 2024, a key trade fair that will impact the evolving food industry in the Middle East and beyond.

Exhibitor Analysis of Free From Food Dubai 2024

Top 5 Major Exhibitors:

Participating Countries:

The trade show has exhibitors from 15 countries. The top 5 participating countries based on company counts are:

South Africa (41%)
United Arab Emirates (13%)
United Kingdom (10%)
Spain (8%)
United States (5%)

These countries together represent over 75% of the total participation, highlighting the strong international presence at this trade fair.

Major Types of Companies:

The total number of unique company types represented at the event is 7. The top 5 company types and their percentages are:

Food Brands (46%)
Food Manufacturing (44%)
Consulting Services (13%)
Exporters (8%)
Importers (5%)

These company types represent the backbone of the expo, with Food Brands and Food Manufacturing making up nearly 90% of all exhibitors.

Major Product Categories:

The expo features 7 unique product categories, and the top 5 categories by company representation are:

Organic Products (20%)
Beverages (15%)
Snack Foods (15%)
Bakery Products (10%)
Supplements (2%)

The emphasis on organic products aligns with the global trend towards healthier food options.

Major Product Items:

The total number of unique product items at the event is 147. The top 15 product items based on the number of exhibitors are:

Raw Honey, Pizza Bases, Alkaline Ionised Water, Frozen Falafel, Cold-Pressed Juices, Gluten-Free Breads, Gluten-Free Pastries, Gluten-Free Flours, Frozen Plant-Based Burgers, Classic Falafel Mix, Sparkling Vitamin Water, Wheat Tortillas, MCT Oils, African Superfoods, Keto Snacks.

This analysis of the exhibitors showcases the diversity and innovation in the food industry, particularly within the healthy, organic, and free-from food segments.

Interesting Insights of Free From Food Dubai 2024

Exhibiting Countries of Top 5 Company Types

Food Brands - United Kingdom, United States, South Africa, France, Poland
Food Manufacturing - Poland, South Africa, India, Ireland, Spain, United Kingdom
Consulting Services - South Africa, United Arab Emirates
Exporters - India, United States, Georgia
Importers - United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom

Exhibiting Countries of Top 5 Product Categories

Organic Products - South Africa, United States, United Kingdom, France
Beverages - United Kingdom, South Africa
Snack Foods - United States, United Kingdom, Poland, South Africa
Bakery Products - Poland, Ireland, Spain
Supplements - United Kingdom, South Africa, India

Exhibiting Countries of Top 10 Products

Raw Honey - United States, South Africa
Pizza Bases - Ireland, Spain
Alkaline Ionised Water - United Kingdom
Frozen Falafel - South Africa
Cold-Pressed Juices - South Africa
Gluten-Free Breads - Spain
Gluten-Free Pastries - Spain
Gluten-Free Flours - Spain
Frozen Plant-Based Burgers - South Africa
Classic Falafel Mix - South Africa

Top 5 Exhibiting Countries and Their Product Details

South Africa
Food Brands, Food Manufacturing, Consulting Services
Organic Products, Beverages, Snack Foods
African Superfoods, Ready-to-Drink Ginger Beer, Frozen Falafel, Cold-Pressed Juices
United Arab Emirates
Consulting Services, Food Brands, Importers
Organic Products
Bakery Ingredients, Dairy Commodities, Freeze-Dried Fruits
United Kingdom
Food Brands, Online Platform, Importers
Beverages, Snack Foods, Supplements, Organic Products
Alkaline Ionised Water, Sparkling Vitamin Water, MCT Oils, Keto Snacks
Spain
Food Manufacturing, Food Brands
Bakery Products, Snack Foods, Organic Products
Wheat Tortillas, Whole Wheat Tortillas, Pizza Bases, Gluten-Free Breads
United States
Food Brands, Food Manufacturing, Exporters
Snack Foods, Organic Products
Superfood Snack Bars, Purple Corn Snack Bars, Raw Honey

Key Highlights of Free From Food Dubai 2024

Key Industry Segments:

Free From Food Dubai 2024 focuses on several dynamic and fast-growing segments within the food industry, driven by increasing consumer demand for healthier and specialized dietary options. The key industry segments include:

Healthy Food: With a strong emphasis on nutrition and wellness, the event covers a broad spectrum of health-oriented food categories, including functional foods and supplements.
Free-From Food: Products that are free from allergens (gluten-free, lactose-free, nut-free, etc.) continue to dominate, addressing the rising demand for dietary inclusivity and allergy-free options.
Organic Food: Organic certification is gaining importance globally and in the Middle East, with consumers looking for ethically sourced and pesticide-free products.
Plant-Based: The shift towards plant-based alternatives is becoming mainstream, with categories like plant-based meat, dairy alternatives, and plant-derived snacks.
Vegan Food: Veganism is not just a trend but a growing movement with increasing interest in plant-based diets and products free from animal-derived ingredients.

These segments collectively reflect the event's commitment to promoting healthier lifestyles through innovative food options.

Market Trends:

Clean Label and Transparency: Consumers are increasingly prioritizing transparency in food production, looking for clean labels with clear ingredient lists. Terms like "organic," "non-GMO," and "free-from" continue to resonate strongly in the marketplace.
Plant-Based Innovation: The plant-based food sector is experiencing rapid growth as consumers seek sustainable and ethical alternatives to animal products. Innovations in meat and dairy alternatives, such as plant-based burgers and milks, are a central focus of this trend
Functional and Nutritional Foods: As health consciousness rises, functional foods designed to offer specific health benefits (such as boosting immunity, gut health, and energy) are gaining prominence. Products rich in superfoods, collagen, and probiotics are examples of this trend.
Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Packaging: The emphasis on sustainability extends to packaging, with an increasing focus on recyclable, biodegradable, and eco-friendly materials. Consumers are demanding that brands take responsibility for reducing environmental impact.
Personalized Nutrition: There is a growing trend toward personalized food choices that cater to individual dietary needs. From keto-friendly snacks to sugar-free and low-carb options, brands are targeting niche markets with specific health or lifestyle requirements.

These market trends highlight the increasing consumer demand for health-focused, sustainable, and innovative food solutions, positioning Free From Food Dubai 2024 as a leading trade fair for industry players seeking to navigate these evolving dynamics.

Conclusion

Free From Food Dubai 2024 is set to be a pivotal event for the Middle Eastern food industry, spotlighting the growing demand for healthy, organic, and allergen-free products. With an impressive lineup of global exhibitors and participants, it provides a platform for innovation, networking, and business growth across key segments such as plant-based, free-from, and functional foods. Attendees can expect to discover cutting-edge market trends and form valuable partnerships that will shape the future of the healthy food industry.

Free From Food, Dubai, 2024: Exhibitors