Nine percent more visitors for IPM Dubai and WOP Dubai

A new year and a new record - IPM Dubai and WOP Dubai seem to follow this motto. The most important trade fairs for the green sector and fresh goods in the Middle East were once more able to achieve substantial growth and, for the first time, filled three halls of the Dubai World Trade Centre. That corresponded to an increase of 18 percent. Here, exhibitors and trade visitors found the ideal setting for promising business deals.



Constant market cultivation pays off - that was the predominant opinion amongst the exhibitors. At 110, the number of them rose by nine percent in comparison with the previous year. In total, 24 countries participated in the most important trade fair for horticulture by the Arabian Gulf. And at 3,890, the number of visitors also registered a handsome plus of eleven percent. Thus, the foreign subsidiary of IPM Essen 2016 was once more able to achieve a record result.

Great need for horticultural products
Above all, there were two reasons for the positive mood at IPM Dubai: On the one hand, the world exhibition called Expo 2020 is already casting its shadow and is holding out the prospect of good chances for the exhibitors from the sections entitled Plants, Technology, Garden and Landscaping, Plant Maintenance, Floristry, Garden Features and Logistics. On the other hand, the Gulf region has a great need for horticultural products and horticultural technology due to large-scale urban construction projects and the implementation of new hotel complexes and resorts. Thus, it is not surprising that not only the number of exhibitors in general but also the number of official national participation booths increased. In addition to China, Egypt, Germany, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and the USA, Costa Rica and India were involved for the first time. On the German cooperative booth, twelve firms presented themselves with products such as young plants, peat soil, substrates, pots and shading fabrics "Made in Germany". The appearance at the fair was promoted by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL).

Not only the exhibition areas but also an exclusive supporting programme awaited the visitors. One day before the opening of the fair, a horticultural tour supplied insights into the local horticultural industry. In cooperation with the German company association called Representation of interests of the German horticulture industry (INDEGA), there were seminars on the subject of horticultural technology. Moreover, lectures about garden and landscaping were delivered. The "Middle East Floral Designer of the Year 2016" was chosen, too. Kimuel S. Villanueva from the Fullfillment & Logistics Center was able to prevail over 33 other participants in the renowned competition on the subject of wedding floristry.



WOP Dubai sets new standards
WOP Dubai also set new records: The only trade fair for fresh goods in the Gulf region enticed 235 exhibitors from 30 countries, for the first time companies from Argentina, Vietnam and Malaysia, too. This was 15 percent more than in the previous year. At 6,055, the number of visitors registered a plus of 23 percent. Thus, WOP Dubai 2016 was the largest ever. The number of official national participation booths rose to 15. Greece, India and South Africa were also involved for the first time and Greece had most participants. The other represented national pavilions came from Australia, Belgium, China, Egypt, France, Italy, Kenya, Lebanon, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Turkey.

A high quality of fruit and vegetables is greatly appreciated in the United Arab Emirates. The Gulf region is therefore a significant market for the fruit and vegetable industry. In this respect, Dubai is used as a hub because over 40 percent of all the imported fresh goods are re-exported to the other Gulf states. This year, WOP Dubai also focused on new technologies and equipment for the producers of fresh goods, including transport trolleys for the fruit and vegetable market and air freight containers for fresh goods. In the supporting programme, the Eurofruit Middle East Business Forum supplied specialist information for the visitors. The Dubai Municipality, operator of the largest fruit and vegetable market in the region, again provided partnership-based support for the fair.

Next time, the successful fair duo which is organised by Messe Essen and planetfair Dubai LLC will take place in the Dubai World Trade Centre in the autumn of 2017.

For more information:
www.ipm-dubai.com
www.wop-dubai.com