A successful fourth edition of VIV MEA 2023 with hundreds of exhibitors from around the world, thousands of attendees and an incredible 80 speaker line-up. VIV MEA was in co-location with Horti Agri Next (HAN) MEA that was held with an outstanding B2B foundation in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from November 20 – 22, 2023.
During the three days of the event, Perendale Publishers were able to witness as the show enforced a strong and positive boost to the Middle Eastern and Northern African regions for global animal husbandry and the agribusiness industry. Encouraging face-to-face meetings, networking opportunities, a bustling marketplace, a streamline of conferences and more, VIV MEA maintained a consistent attendance record and exceeded the number of attendees from the 3rd VIV MEA with a total of 10,080 visitors from 113 countries.
Agriculture & food security wee
Starting in 2021, Abu Dhabi Agriculture & Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) initiated the first Abu Dhabi Agriculture & Food Security Week (ADAFSW) which has since evolved into a significant regional event. ADAFSA partnered with VNU Europe, the organisers of VIV MEA, to hold VIV MEA during ADAFSW to elevate the importance of this week, bringing together farmers, policymakers, scientists, manufacturers and more to create further networking and business opportunities.
To enrich the already successful show and to further highlight the importance of ADAFSW, VIV MEA was co-located with Horti Agri Next MEA 2023. The co-location was established as a platform to boost the horticultural and agricultural production and processing industry with an incredible line-up of exhibitors with new products and technologies that would play a vital role in the animal health, feed and husbandry industry.
By having these two shows complimenting each other at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre (ADNEC), VNU Europe were able to integrate the two industries into one area and show how important they are for each other.
”As we wrap up three incredible days of VIV and HAN MEA 2023, we are thrilled for the journey we’ve embarked upon to shape the future of the agrifood industry, together with everyone who played a role in this; from our international exhibitors, the amazing speakers, the enthusiastic attendees to our long-term partners, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture Food and Safety Authority and the Netherlands Embassy among others. The journey does not end here. We look forward to building on the momentum generated by these events here, to our upcoming events around the world,” said Birgit Horn, Managing Director of the Agrifood Portfolio at VNU Europe.
Exhibitors
Grossing at an outstanding 17,500sqm exhibition space, VIV MEA 2023 was also home to over 500 exhibitors from 50 different countries around the world. There were exhibitors such as Famsun, Amandus Kahl, CPM, KSE and more, acting as the pillars for key areas of the industry such as feedmills, feed additives/ingredients, farming, animal health, equipment and manufactures, and more.
With how large the exhibition hall was, it offered exhibitors the perfect chance to showcase their latest products and innovations. With a feed to food concept, VIV MEA was able to bring together the supply and demand of the animal protein chain, driven by two key factors- animal feed and animal health, two vital areas of the industry for meat quality and safety.
Conferences and panels
With a mix of conferences, sessions, presentations and panels, over 37 took place throughout the three days along with a total of 80 renowned experts and visionaries in the industry taking centre stage as this year’s speaker line-up. These talks provided ample opportunity to delve deeper into the latest trends, challenges, and research available, providing insight to all the attendees.
One such prominent conference to start VIV MEA was the Aquafeed Extrusion & Nutrition conference, held a day prior on November 19th, with the theme ‘Aquaculture development and investment’. Sponsored by multiple companies such as Skretting and Blue Aqua, the conference saw a full attendance throughout the day and covered topics on the production, extrusion and nutrition of aquatic feed along with the farming of fish and shrimp. This conference was co-organised by VNU Europe and Perendale Publishers.
Future events
The 5th edition of VIV MEA will return to Abu Dhabi on November 25 – 27, 2025 alongside HAN MEA. However, the next event held by VNU Europe will be at Health and Nutrition Asia in Bangkok, Thailand, on March 12 – 14, 2024. Read more on the VNU events at www.viv.net/events. Perendale Publishers will also be hosting four separate conferences at Health and Nutrition Asia so for more information on those go to, www.millingandgrain.com/conferences
Published in the February 2024 issue of Milling and Grain.
