Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, inaugurated the 11th edition of SIAL Middle East 2021 exhibition. The first day event witnessed a wide turn out of local and international attendee at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

His Excellency also inaugurated the 6th edition of the Abu Dhabi Date International Palm Exhibition, co-located and running alongside SIAL ME, which is hosted and organised by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) in partnership with COMEXPOSIUM.

The opening ceremony was attended by His Excellency Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi, His Excellency Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, Chairman of the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi, His Excellency Saeed Al Bahri Salem Al Ameri, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, His Excellency Abdullah Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, along with a number of officials, experts and specialists in the food, beverage and hospitality sectors.

His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan visited the national pavilions and exhibiting companies, where he met various officials and leading experts from various industries. As part of his tour, His Highness was also briefed on the latest innovative products and services specialized in the food, beverage and hospitality sector.

His Excellency Saeed Al Bahri Salem Al Ameri, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, said: "As a strategic and long-standing partner of this event, we are proud to witness the successful launch of the 11th edition of SIAL Middle East, one of the region’s largest food, beverage, and hospitality events. This event is truly an ideal platform that brings together the leading entities and companies in the food, beverage and hospitality sector under one roof, and we are thrilled to see the creation of many exceptional investment opportunities in this edition.”

His Excellency added: “Our support for this strategic event is an integral part of our efforts to strengthen the UAE’s food security system and to maintain stability within its supply chains, whilst also stimulating investment in the sector and fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors.”

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC and its group of subsidiaries, said: “As one of region’s largest specialised events dedicated to the food, beverage and hospitality sector, the 11th edition of SIAL Middle East highlights the exceptional growth witnessed by the sector.”

Al Dhaheri added: "The current edition of the exhibition is witnessing a tremendous turn out of wide local and international participation, with 450 exhibitors from 24 countries and 12 pavilions. These numbers highlights the global community’s confidence in Abu Dhabi’s capability to advance the developments of food, beverage and hospitality sector. We have also seen new national companies make up 22% of total exhibitors, which further confirms the importance of SIAL as a leading platform to establish and amplify the UAE’s presence in the sector on a global scale.

"The 11th edition of the SIAL highlights the strategic role played by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company in leading and supporting the business tourism sector of Abu Dhabi, as it moves towards recovery. Our facilities, efforts, and commitment to ensuring a business confident environment showcases our readiness to hold events of any size, and augments our position as a leader in the exhibitions industry in the region and the world.”

SIAL Middle East is one of the most prominent regional platforms specialised in the food, beverage and hospitality sector. On its first day, the exhibition attracted a large number of sector experts and visitors keen to witness and be a part of the exhibition’s features and activities.

Abu Dhabi International Date Palm Exhibition (ADDPE)

Co-located alongside the sixth edition of the Abu Dhabi International Date Palm Exhibition (ADDPE). Specialised in the date fruit, ADDPE is a one of a kind event that sees more than 80 local and international exhibitors and experts from the dates sectors come together. The event showcases date fruit, machineries, organic dates, cosmetics from dates, Date Tree, curing insects and date plants. 

World Gourmet Show – Abu Dhabi

Foodies from all over the UAE and the region can enjoy the inaugural launch of the World Gourmet Show – Abu Dhabi, which features Michelin star chefs and the best chefs in the capital delivering masterclasses, exciting competitions and demonstrations, as well as a spectacular display from the World Champion acrobatic pizza performer. The show also features a hydroponic garden, liquid lab and pizza kitchen.

Chef Aira Piva, Managing Director - Italian Hospitality Services, said: “It is so thrilling to have been a part of the first day of the 11th edition of SIAL Middle East and the inaugural World Gourmet Show Abu Dhabi. From visitors, participants to key exhibitors, this event offers an unmissable opportunity to meet with like-minded and passionate individuals and industry experts and to gain insights into the latest developments in the sector. I urge all of those interested in the food, beverage, and hospitality sector to visit this great event.”

“The World Gourmet Show - Abu Dhabi is also the perfect opportunity for those who are keen to see the world’s greatest chefs showcase their skills and mastery, and we are looking forward to welcoming many attendees to our stand over the next few days.”

‘The Hosted Buyer Program’

Businesspeople and exhibitors can participate in SIAL ME’s ‘The Hosted Buyer Program’, which seeks to foster and support supply chain partnerships. Offering a private dedicated suite, Hosted Buyers will be able to source new products, develop new business, and meet with a selected batch of exhibitors through a series of engaging sessions.

UAE National Coffee Championships

Coffee connoisseurs and enthusiasts can enjoy the reprise of the UAE National Coffee Championships, which are certified by World Coffee Events (WCE) and sanctioned by the Specialty Coffee Association. Highlighting the meticulous craft of filter coffee brewing by hand, the UAE National Brewers Cup promotes the art of manual coffee brewing and baristas’ excellent levels of service, whereas the Cup Tasters Championship qualifies coffee cupper professionals for their speed, skill and accuracy.

UAE National Latte Art Grading Battle

Latte fanatics can enjoy the best baristas in the region battle it out at the 2022 UAE National Latte Art Grading Battle, where participants are competing for industry acclaim, amazing prizes, and the opportunity to represent the UAE at the World Latte Art Grading Battle in Milan in October next year.

SIAL Innovation

The latest and greatest in food and beverage innovation are on display at SIAL Innovation. The event’s unique platform for the world’s most creative and inventive products is open exclusively for exhibitors and judged by XTC World Innovation. The most novel products in the foodservice, retail and food industry will be awarded the innovation award and gain the opportunity to be displayed at SIAL events worldwide.