São Paulo – The Brazilian Meat Exporting Industries Association (Abiec) is taking 18 meat companies to Gulfood, the Middle East’s leading food industry fair, slated for February 21 to 25 in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. Outside the fair, the association will host two barbecues to advertise Brazilian beef, one in Dubai and the other in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The participating beef companies are Frigosul, Mafripar, Frigol, Cooperfrigu, Agra, Frialto, Plena, Iguatemi, Xinguara, Mataboi, Marfrig, Frisa, Minerva, JBS, Astra, Barra Mansa, Mondelli and Oderich.
“We will have an event apart from the fair to advertise gourmet beef. The event will be held with the Brazilian Angus Association, because we have detected an opportunity to export high-grade beef [to that region],” said Abiec CEO Fernando Sampaio regarding the barbecue in Dubai on Feb. 24.
Traditionally, Abiec throws a barbecue for importers at Gulfood. The external event, however, will target a different public. “It will be geared at opinion-makers, hotel industry professionals, food journalists, hotels, blogs and chefs de cuisine,” Sampaio explained. “We want to cement Brazil’s image as a supplier of high-grade beef,” he said.
On February 28, the organization will host a barbecue at the residence of the Brazilian ambassador in Riyadh, Flávio Marega. According to Sampaio, this event will be for Saudi importers and authorities. “It will be a promotional action designed to take back the Saudi market,” he said.
It is worth noting that Saudi Arabia put in place a ban on Brazilian beef imports that lasted three years. The ban was lifted in early November, 2015, during the trip of a Brazilian mission to Riyadh, led by the minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply Kátia Abreu.
Sampaio reported that following the ban lift, Brazilian meat companies had to apply for accreditation of their plants with the Saudi government. Following that, business was resumed and Brazilian companies started selling anew. According to him, the first batches are due for shipping soon.
The CEO of Abiec stated that the Arab countries are a “region with an outstanding demand for Brazilian beef. “Our buyer market in the region tends to grow,” he asserted.
Brazilian beef exports to Arab countries grossed USD 1.03 billion last year, a slight 0.67% increment over 2014. The top buyer was Egypt, followed by Algeria, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Jordan. Saudi Arabia was the second leading buyer before it stopped importing in late 2012. The numbers are from Brazil’s Secretariat for Foreign Trade (Secex).
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
