Mena Seafood Buyers Hooked on Sustainability & Health, Say Seafex Exhibitors

Seafood consumers throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are increasingly turning to sustainable sources as the need to conserve stocks internationally begins to hit home.The trend towards sustainable resources is being highlighted at SEAFEX, the region’s first professional seafood show, which runs at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 7-9 November, 2016.

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Among the 145 plus exhibitors from more than 25 nations taking part in the show are sustainability leaders from Europe, the Levant and Mauritius, who all say regional diners are becoming more socially-conscious and demand products for changing lifestyle preferences.

“People right now are more driven towards fresh seafood than ever,” said Abbas Muntaser, Marketing Executive at European Seafood, which specialises in live seafood and live aquaculture raised fish.

“This is not just because of its many beneficial effects on human health, but also as a source of sustainable food that can last for generations to come and provide for better lifestyles.”

In its first official SEAFEX appearance, Enterprise Mauritius (EM), the national trade promotion organisation of the Republic of Mauritius, will go all out to promote sustainability as it moves to gain a foothold into the MENA seafood market now valued at $272 million according to a recent report by the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO).

Mauritius will mount one of 13 national and industry pavilions at SEAFEX, which also sees first-time of-ficial participation from the Philippines. Mauritius says its show debut will help position the country as “a favourable destination for sustainable aquaculture and higher value-added seafood processing.”

Seafood processing is now the second most important manufacturing sector in Mauritius, employing 12,000 people and contributing 1.5 percent to overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Last year, the country exported $337 million worth of seafood which represented 16 percent of its overall domestic exports, according to Arvind Radhakrishna, CEO, Enterprise Mauritius.