Interpack info

New packaging design competition at interpack

For the first time, iF International Forum Design GmbH will present the "iF packaging award" at interpack PROCESSES AND PACKAGING 2008, to be held from April 24-30, 2008 in Düsseldorf, Germany. Manufacturers, designers and developers of packaging, packaging materials, graphics and packaging machinery were invited to submit entries for one or several of the eight different categories, which include various forms of packaging (such as sales and transport packaging, packaging machinery, packaging materials, graphics and construction). For more information, please click here.

FEATURED ARTICLE

Market overview of confectionery sales in Africa and the Middle East

Confectionery retail sales in Africa and the Middle East are expected to reach the US$4.5 billion mark in 2007, up 3% on the previous year.

Confectionery sales in the region are being driven by incipient premiumisation in more developed markets such as Saudi Arabia and Israel, along with consumers trading up from artisanal to packaged products in Central African countries such as Cameroon and Nigeria.

Moderate value growth is due in part to the depreciation of the US$, particularly in relation to the currency of key markets in the region such as South Africa. In other markets such as Cameroon, 2007 value growth is set to be constrained by an overall downturn in prices linked to reduced import tariffs on consumer goods. That said, volume sales should still maintain healthy growth.

Overall, retail volume sales in the region are predicted to grow by 5% in 2007, following the healthy performance recorded in previous years. Nevertheless, per capita consumption in the region will still stand at a mere 0.6kg in 2007, far behind that of other developed markets such as North America and Western Europe, with a per capita consumption of 9.2kg and 8.0kg respectively in 2007.

Chocolate confectionery accounts for the majority of sales

Chocolate confectionery accounted for the majority of regional sales, commanding 49% of total retail value in 2007, followed by sugar confectionery and gum, which accounted for 33% and 18% respectively.

Saudi Arabia and South Africa are the largest markets in the region, with retail sales worth US$647 million and US$868 million respectively in 2007. In terms of exemplary growth performance, however, Euromonitor International highlights Iran and Algeria, which are expected to grow in local currency retail value terms by 8% and 12% respectively in 2007, albeit starting from a far more modest consumer base. ...Read more