The 2008 food/hotel/propac (fhp) arabia exhibition, scheduled to be held at the Jeddah International Exhibition and Convention Centre from 18 to 22 May, is the 13th edition of the annual showcase for Saudi Arabia’s food, beverage, hotel, catering and related processing and packaging (propac) industries. 

Organised by Al Harithy Company for Exhibitions, food/hotel/propac arabia, is Saudi Arabia’s only dedicated international platform covering all aspects of the kingdom’s food, beverage, hotel, catering, and associated processing and packaging industries.
The 2007 edition attracted in excess of 11,000 professional visitors from across Saudi Arabia and neighbouring countries, and exhibitors reported deals running into many millions of US dollars. 
A spokesman for AlHarithy commented: “With over 90 per cent of both visitors and exhibitors intending to return in 2008, fhp arabia promises to surpass all show records, providing visitors with an extensive exhibitor profile of both international and leading Saudi companies showcasing a diverse range of products and services.”
He added: “fhp arabia will continue to be seen as a vital element in the Saudi business calendar and an essential ingredient in the kingdom’s professional food industry menu.” Visitors were entertained throughout the exhibition by two popular events, the TopChef and Art de Table. Housed in an auditorium especially constructed for the event, TopChef attracted so much interest that the contest was soon oversubscribed and the auditorium was packed to capacity throughout the event. Each evening included themed cooking demonstrations that made this a unique culinary experience for visitors. As for the Art de Table competition, leading hotels participated for the award.
With a food industry worth around $26 billion, Saudi Arabia is the single largest market in the Gulf region.  With one of the region’s largest and fastest growing populations, forecast to increase from the current 27 million to 47 million by 2020, and an annual economy in excess of $250 billion, the kingdom is expanding every aspect of its food, beverage and food service sectors.
A flourishing economy, its rapidly growing population, high disposable incomes and greater exposure to international trends have all helped to heighten Saudi consumer awareness and demand across the entire spectrum of the food and beverage sectors. This is especially true amongst the younger population (60 per cent are under the age of 20) where lifestyle changes are leading to ever increasing numbers of new, modern Western-style fast food outlets, supermarkets and hypermarkets to cater for the diverse ranges of food and beverage demanded by these discerning consumers.
Rapid expansion within the food and drink industry has in turn led to an increased demand for all forms of packaging machinery and supplies, from fresh produce packaging to fast food containers, from bottling to PEP containers.  “This is a market not only striving to satisfy its own demands, but is also developing its export trade to neighbouring countries,” the spokesman commented.  “As a result, nearly three quarters of all investment, valued at over $2 billion per annum, coming into the Gulf states packaging industry is in Saudi Arabia.  Currently some 75 per cent of Saudi Arabia’s packaging products are used within the food and beverage industry.” 
The location of food/hotel/propac arabia in Jeddah is significant. It is a city that is not only the headquarters of a majority of large Saudi importers and distributors but also accounts for 80 per cent of all foodstuffs imports through the Jeddah Islamic Port. It continues to be the kingdom’s national showcase and the region’s international forum providing a perfect marketing platform for this vibrant and lucrative market.