Page 851 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - OCTOBER 2024

The meeting also reviewed key trends and highlighted the F&B sector's strong performance and
future potential. In the previous year, the UAE saw a total volume of food imports amounting to
US$23 billion, while food exports reached US$6.6 billion. During the first half of the year, the sector
experienced a 20 percent growth in total trade. Food imports increased by 23%, and exports saw a
19% rise, showcasing the UAE's commitment to bolstering its food security and expanding its role in
the global food trade industry.

One of the key announcements as F&B Group Chairman Saleh Abdullah Lootah opened the event
was the launch of the UAE Foodverse by the F&B Group. This innovative virtual platform aims to
transform the nation’s food ecosystem by offering real-time data, fostering collaborations, and
creating partnerships within the industry. The Foodverse will bridge the gap between industry
stakeholders, enabling seamless information sharing and more strategic decision-making in the
food sector.

“UAE Foodverse is a revolutionary metaverse platform designed to connect the global F&B industry
virtually. As part of the UAE’s Food Cluster Strategy, the Foodverse will foster collaboration,
innovation, and trade within a virtual environment,” said Saleh Lootah. Some of the key features of
the platform include educational modules to understand food security regulations and supply
chain management, VR-based interactive workshops for training and product demonstrations,
gamified experiences targeting the Gen-Z and future consumers, as well as a virtual marketplace
for showcasing products, linking directly to e-commerce platforms, and streamlining operations
from farm to fork.

The Future Food Forum 2024 features a dynamic agenda addressing critical topics in the food and
beverage industry, tackling the GCC's response to the global food crisis, with insights from industry
leaders.

Further highlights include discussions on food security and climate change, with panels delving
into innovative technologies and partnerships shaping the future of food production. The agenda
also features sessions on empowering SMEs in the UAE's F&B manufacturing industry,
sustainability in value chains through packaging and circular economy practices, and the role of e-
commerce innovations in transforming supply chains. These sessions bring together experts and
leaders from across the GCC, offering insights and strategies to drive resilience, innovation, and
collaboration in the evolving F&B landscape.
The event is supported by some of the biggest brands, including Agthia, Al Ghurair Foods, Al Ain
Farms, IFFCO, Almarai, BRF, and Tetra Pak, as well as industry organisations such as IFPA.

Besides being a platform for sharing market insights and evolving themes, Future Food Forum once
again features the ‘Free From Food Dubai’ exhibition, which returns this year, showcasing
innovation in the free from, organic, vegan, functional and healthy ingredient food industries, and
will be co-located under Forum.

https://www.wam.ae/en/article/b5hbei0-minister-economy-opens-future-food-forum-2024