pacprocess MEA and Food Africa 2023 ended in Cairo with a significant increase in visitor numbers and strong international participation, confirming their positions as leading platforms for the packaging and food industries in the Middle East and Africa.
With over 900 exhibitors, 27,500 visitors, and more than 500 invited buyers, the dual events were met with an excellent footfall like never before. The co-located trade shows held at the Egypt International Exhibition Center (EIEC) from 12 to 14 December, offered a comprehensive marketplace for packaging and food industry players. Both trade fairs were jointly organised by Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, IFP Egypt, and Konzept Exhibitions & Event Management, under the umbrella of interpack alliance.
With nine national pavilions and Kuwait as the partner country, the events saw an impressive list of international participants from 32 countries including China, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Pakistan, Poland, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, and the UAE.
“With inspiring ideas, genuine innovative strength, lots of energy and passion, everyone involved has set new standards,” says interpack Director Thomas Dohse at the end of the three-day trade fair. “The event is a catalyst for trade and cooperation in a dynamically growing region. We are proud of what we have achieved and look forward to continuing this success story next year.” Looking to the future, Dohse announces that pacprocess MEA and Food Africa will be further strengthened as central platforms for the industry.
Strategic Cooperation at the Highest Level
In close cooperation with important institutions in Egypt such as the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Export Council for Printing, Packaging & Paper, the Food Export Council, the Agricultural Export Council, the Chamber of Food Industries, and the Engineering Export Council of Egypt, pacprocess MEA and Food Africa demonstrated that joint action promotes the growth of the packaging and food industries in the region. High-ranking politicians including Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Ali El-Sayed Ali El-Moselhi, Minister of Trade and Industry Ahmed Samir, and Minister of Transport Kamel El-Wazir attended the opening ceremony.
State-of-the-Art Packaging and Processing
Into its 4th edition, pacprocess MEA saw a large majority of exhibitors display their machines, offering considerable added value to potential buyers. Satisfied with their business deals and promotions spread across the three days, most of the companies have already planned to attend the next year’s event.
Another highlight was the newly designed pacprocess conference. Panel discussions offered valuable insights into topics such as sustainability, efficient export practices, marketing and branding, and investment incentives for a circular economy.
SAVE FOOD on the Big Stage
The SAVE FOOD initiative was lively with a lot of content and new projects. As part of the conference, a lecture with special focus on innovations in the fight against food waste and loss was held. Guests included representatives of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the Egyptian Food Bank. Switzerland-based SIG Foundation received the SAVE FOOD award for its flagship project ‘Cartons for Good’, which offers SIG’s expertise in filling technology to help communities process and preserve their food into meals locally. The meals can be stored at ambient conditions for up to nine months without refrigeration. The prize money of 20,000 euros will be used by SIG to finance a large-scale study in Egypt in the coming months in order to set up another project to save food.
The SUSTAINABILITY DESIGN award also celebrated its premiere at pacprocess MEA. Brazilian companies secured the top two slots: Teixeira Textil grabbed gold for ‘Teixeira Reverse’ – big bags made from post-consumer recycled resins (PCR), and Aluminios Mello for its‘Mello Cake Pan’ – a baking tin and retail packaging in one – taking the silver. Germany’s LANG LASER-System finished third with a bronze.
Innovation, Sustainability, and Business Development
The 8th edition of Food Africa was a key event for Africa’s food industry, attracting producers, traders, and investors from all around the world to promote the continent’s economic development by providing impetus in positioning the African food industry on the global market and promoting sustainable practices in agriculture and food processing.
Conferences dealt with important topics such as the impact of logistics on food transport in Africa, the Egyptian food and agricultural forecast with a special focus on food safety, and agricultural exports and the future of fresh produce. Food Africa also hosted a workshop by UNIDO and the Arab Accreditation Cooperation (ARAC) on the modernisation of small and medium-sized enterprises. High-profile speakers from various sectors, including government representatives, industry leaders, and international organisations, shared their knowledge to promote the development and growth of the African food sector.
Commitment to Development
As part of the trade fair, global organisations and their projects such as the Agricultural Innovation Project (AIP) of German Development Cooperation (GIZ), the IRAS project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Land O’Lakes Venture37, the Industrial Modernization Center (IMC), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and others, demonstrated their commitment to supporting start-ups, small businesses, and agricultural associations.
The next edition of pacprocess MEA and Food Africa will take place from 3 to 5 December, 2024..
