Middle Eastern mineral water giant Agthia Group is focusing on functional benefits with its latest product launches, with intentions to expand further into the APAC market.
A panel of experts have identified experience and social media as key factors to capturing the youth and women consumer segments in the Middle East, with particular emphasis on Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabian consumers are becoming increasingly savvy when seeking out food and beverage bargains, and are also demanding new products with a stronger health focus.
The UAE has introduced a new resolution which prohibits the import and re-export of shark meat, with trade now only permitted if the freight forwarder presents the required shipping documents.
The UAE has filed a complaint against Qatar at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), claiming that the latter’s ban against UAE products, including food items, was inconsistent with international laws.
Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has launched the ‘Fat, Sugar and Salt reduction Initiative in Qatar” to cut such content in food and beverages – both locally manufactured goods and those imported.
Fears are mounting that a big chunk of India’s food exports would be hit after suggestions emerged that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates would halt billions of dollars of imports because of issues surrounding quality.
Last week, the UAE Ministry of Education published a list of food items that are no longer allowed for sale in schools, including chocolate, soft drinks and fries.
UAE-based importer Truebell is offering at least seven new products to the country this year – including tea from the UK and probiotic beverages from Japan.
The UAE Cabinet has implemented a blanket ban on the advertising of infant formula and other infant nutrition products, including follow-up formula and complementary foods.
