UAE’s drinks market is piping hot
Whether it’s fresh juice during brunch or an energy drink at the gym, the UAE’s beverage market is making a splash.
dubai — A chilled glass of fresh juice at brunch, a cup of coffee in the afternoon, and an energy drink before you hit the gym; these are some of the most common drinks that people in the UAE opt for during the course of their day.
Whether its in the cold or hot drinks segment, there are plenty of opportunities in the UAE’s beverages industry for companies from around the world, exhibitors at the 2017 Gulfood exhibition noted.
Coffee Planet, which has been participating at the exhibition for the past 11 years, noted that the region has one of the fastestgrowing coffee markets.
“It is an exciting time to be active in the UAE market with the industry continuing to grow at a steady pace. Consumers in this region know their coffee and coffee quality is one measure that people will use when considering the overall standard of their coffee experience, especially as consumers’ knowledge and appreciation for good quality coffee continues to evolve,” Robert Jones, MD of Coffee Planet, told Khaleej Times.
Another returning exhibitor, Hype Energy, which makes, Hype Energy Drinks, was consolidating its footprint in the Middle East and pursuing expansion opportunities in Asia. Camille Sofia, head of marketing for the Middle East, Asia, and Africa at Hype Energy, said: “Our market share in Egypt, where we launched at the end of 2015, has grown steadily and we are firmly on the map. We hope to recreate this success in the UAE.
The UAE, he noted, has a large demographic of young consumers that are attracted to the latest trendy drink in the market including energy drinks, sports drinks, vitamin waters, and lifestyle drinks. “The market for such drinks is increasing every year, and this links in perfectly with a global trend. Worldwide, consumption of beverages in general in 2016 grew by 7.3 per cent. Out of this 7.3 per cent, the energy
The market for such drinks is increasing every year, and this links in perfectly with a global trend Camille Sofia, Head of marketing MEA, Asia, Hype Energy
drinks market grew by three per cent. This is a huge increase and presents us with a lot of opportunities for our products.” Similarly,
It is an exciting time to be active in the UAE market with the industry continuing to grow at a steady pace Robert Jones, MD of Coffee Planet
Shahid Saeed, director of Premier, a dairy and juice company from Pakistan, sees a real opportunity in the UAE’s beverages in- dustry. The company, which is exhibiting at Gulfood for the first time, is hoping to bring its Yamoo flavoured milk, and PuReal, Youth, and Lucky juice brands to the UAE and the GCC. The brands have all been in the market in Pakistan for around five years and have resonated well with consumers. The company is hoping to expand its presence into other markets.
“Our plan is to establish ourselves and our products in the UAE and then reach out to other markets in the Gulf,” said Saeed. “Our Youth fruit drinks, and Yamoo flavoured milk are our most popular products in Pakistan, and we feel that they will be well received in the UAE. We are looking for a business partner in the region, and our aim is to have our products in hypermarkets and supermarkets across the UAE.”
“Depending on the demand, we produce between 40,000 and 50,000 liters of juice at our facility. However, we have the capacity to handle production of up to 110,000 liters,” he noted. The company also invests heavily in R&D, creating new products to cater to the demands of the public. “We recently launched a new date flavoured milk that was welcomed by our consumers. It is important for us to keep an eye on what the demand is in the market and produce products that will generate a good response,” Saeed said.
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