Middle East Coffee and Chocolate Exhibition hailed as important path into region

The Tanzanian ambassador to Saudi Arabia has emphasized the important role that trade events such as the Middle East Coffee and Chocolate Exhibition play in driving growth for his country’s producers in exciting markets such as Saudi Arabia. The exhibition will be held in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh from 20-23 December. The third edition of the show will be the largest specialised exhibition of its sort ever in held in the Middle East, covering 9580 square meters at the International Exhibition Centre and conference in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce has reported that the sales of coffee and chocolate products increased by 12 per cent over the past 12 months, to a total value of more than US$180 million. This year’s version of the show has the approval of both the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) and the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe, with former SCAA President Mike Ebert set to participate in educational workshops over the course of the event.