Like many countries across the world, consumers in the UAE are showing a clear preference for cleaner, more ethical and sustainable food. Eating and consumption habits are changing, what does this mean for the food and drink industry in the region? What food and nutrition trends are growing in the UAE in 2021?

In this episode of Table Talk we investigate all this and more, joined by two experts on the UAE and its food supply and consumer habits, Ananya Narayan, Managing Director, Hunter Foods Limited and. Monique Naval, Senior Analyst, Euromonitor International. With host Stefan Gates they'll discuss how attitudes toward health, nutrition and wellbeing are developing, how this is impacting the food and nutrition trends that are growing in the UAE, and how the country intends to become food secure and sustainable.

Ananya Narayan, Managing Director, Hunter Foods Limited

Ananya Narayan, Managing Director of Hunter Foods, has been recognized in growing his family business rapidly in the Better For You gourmet, quality, healthier foods and snacks. Prior to joining Hunter Foods, he has worked in the hospitality industry, with Preferred Hotels & Resorts as Executive VP - Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa for nine years, and with Hyatt Hotels Corporation as Director of Strategic Marketing prior to that. While he was at Preferred, he expanded his hotel portfolio drastically from 13 hotels to 191. Over the last 5 years, he has tripled Hunter Foods’ revenue and added over 20 export markets. His aim is to transform Hunter Foods into a leading major innovative and healthier foods and snacks manufacturer and supplier within the GCC and the world. He has a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Masters in Marketing, both from Northwestern University, USA.

Monique Naval, Senior Analyst, Euromonitor International

Monique is a Senior Analyst with Euromonitor International in the UAE. In her current role, she is part of the global Food and Nutrition team that provides strategic recommendations to the world’s largest FMCG companies, shaping the food industry. She leads the Middle East and North Africa research and actively engages with main industry players. She creates datasets, authors annual reports, and is regularly featured as a thought leader in numerous local and international media outlets.

Monique holds a degree in Communication Research and has over ten years’ research experience having successfully handled international projects with different industries such as Utilities, FMCG, Retailing, Banking, Government, Travel and International Development. A seasoned speaker, she has delivered keynote presentations in international conferences and webinars such as Gulfood, Yummex Middle East and ‘More than Food’ webinar hosted by the European Union.

Gulfood 2021

Monique and Ananya will both be in attendance at Gulfood 2021, held on 21-25 February 2021 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Gulfood 2021 gives food and beverage brands the perfect opportunity to: 




Explore new markets: Open conversations with over 5000 suppliers from 198 countries around the world and discover new market opportunities from across the globe
Increase profits: Source from one of the widest range of global F&B products, at the most competitive prices for your business.
Join in discussion with the experts on the future of F&B: Learn about new and sustainable forms of producing and consuming food





To find out more, visit Gulfood 2021 here