Gautam eyes top rice importer spot in Middle East, anticipates Saudi to be biggest growth driver

Gautam General Trading (GGT) aims to build on its success in the UAE and Oman to expand in Saudi Arabia, which it believes will be a key market to drive growth and help it claim top spot among rice importers in the region.

The firm claims to be the largest rice importer and distributor in the UAE, and second biggest in Oman.

As part of its efforts to scale up in Saudi Arabia, a local office was inaugurated in January. GGT's goal is to reach about $25m in revenue annually from Saudi alone in the next five years.

Saudi Arabia's Vlinder Chocolate enters South Korea amid relentless 'Dubai chocolate' craze

Saudi Arabia's Vlinder Chocolate recently debuted its "Dubai chocolate-style" products in South Korea, on the back of the viral food trend that has taken the market by storm over the past year.

Ever since it went viral worldwide, the original Dubai chocolate by FIX Dessert Chocolatier has been in high demand in South Korea, with prices surging in the reseller market and the trend leading to an increase in pistachio-related food imports.

Vlinder Chocolate's launch in Korea marks its successive expansion moves, following its entry into Kuwait, Singapore, Malaysia, Germany, and Canada.

Freeze-dried superfoods: Thai manufacturer eyes Dubai as launchpad for Middle East expansion

Thailand-based 3 Seasons Holding is gearing up to expand its operations into the Middle East, with plans to enter the region through Dubai within the next two years.

The company, which specialises in freeze-dried fruits and vegetables, sees Dubai as a strategic entry point due to its position as a central hub for trade in the Middle East, its overall stability, and its diverse expatriate population with significant spending power.

Dubai's diverse expat population opens up opportunities for a broader range of products, unlike specific regional preferences in other markets, such as durian for South East Asia, or mango and banana for Australia and Europe.

Recipe for growth: '12 building blocks' for unlocking flavour opportunities in Asia and the Middle East - Haldin

Indonesia's Haldin is seeking to expand in Asia and the Middle East by using "12 natural building blocks" for over 200 ingredients as leverage.

With more than 60% of its business concentrated in the European and American markets, the company is now setting its sights on Asia and the Middle East - regions showing good demand for sustainably sourced and health-focused ingredients.

Haldin has already established partnerships in countries such as Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, and is looking to expand its footprint further in the region.

Linafsi prioritises flavour innovation, sales channel expansion to stand out in competitive healthy snacking market

Dubai-based Linafsi is adopting several strategies to overcome stiff competition, including flavour innovation and localisation, exploring new product formats, and expanding sales channels.

Founded in 2022, the brand sought to create healthy snacks specifically for consumers in the Middle East. Yet, the venture comes at a time when a rapidly increasing number of players are entering the market.

Linafsi has been working on perfecting a baklava flavour, with plans to continue refining its existing product line while expanding it over the next year. For instance, it is looking to set foot into other categories, such as ready-to-drink protein beverages and snacks for children.