São Paulo – The organizers of the Brazilian pavilion at the Gulfood Fair, due from February 23rd to 27th in Dubai, is to boost sales from Brazil to the Middle East and capture new clients. Enterprises, sectorial organizations, and the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) have convened this Thursday (6th) at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce headquarters, in São Paulo, to make the final arrangements and discuss new developments concerning Brazilian participation in the fair.
According to the Apex analyst for Executive Image Management and Market Access, Guilherme Machado, this year’s edition is expected to overcome that of 2013 in business volume. Last year, companies participating in the event made projections of exporting a combined US$ 333 million over the following 12 months, plus US$ 150 million worth of deals closed during the actual fair.
“The outlook for this year is very good. We are looking at a 200 million-tonne grain crop this year, that is, we should see a surplus production in Brazil. The Arabs, for their part, are growing and need the food we have. We at the Apex are trying to draw in even more opportunities at our stand. We are in a position to strike good deals,” he said.
The Arab Brazilian Chamber marketing coordinator in charge of organizing the Brazilian stand in partnership with the Apex, Karina Cassapula says more deals are expected this year, for more companies will attend, and the Brazilian pavilion has undergone changes. This time, there will be more space for the companies, and less for sectorial organizations. Brazil is one of the event’s main sponsors.
A total of 77 companies will take part in the Gulfood, at the 711 square-metre stand organized by the Apex and the Arab Brazilian Chamber – i.e. 25 more than in 2013. For the first time, the Brazilian facilities will include a mezzanine. The 311 square-metre area will feature a kitchen, where a chef will cook Brazilian dishes. Breakfast with cereals, lunch with chicken, beef, polenta, and even a happy hour with snacks like pastel (stuffed, savoury pastry envelopes) will be served to customers and exhibitors’ guests alike. “It is a way of showing the Arabs how Brazilian ingredients are employed in our cuisine,” said Cassapula.
The Arab Brazilian Chamber CEO Michel Alaby said Brazilian exporters stand a chance of closing several deals at the fair this year. “This is the Middle East’s premier food industry fair, with attendees from several countries, and 80,000 visitors. The global economic crisis is in the past, and Brazil is highly active in the region,” he said.
He said, however, that selling to Gulf customers is not so easy. “The competition is fierce,” he remarked. Alaby claimed there are major opportunities to export items such as tropical fruit, juices, and jellies.
Food exports from Brazil to the Gulf grossed US$ 5.257 billion in 2013, up 6.62% from 2012, according to information from the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade. Brazil is the leading supplier of meats and sugar to the region, but ranks a meagre 17th in dairy, 37th in fruit, 11th in tea, coffee and spices, and 38th in biscuits and pasta, as per figures from the International Trade Centre, a foreign trade fostering agency tied to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
During the Gulfood, Brazilian exhibitors and Apex personnel in Dubai should pay technical visits to supermarket chains active in the United Arab Emirates, and meet with local businesses and customers.
Service
Gulfood
February 23rd to 27th
Dubai World Trade Centre, United Arab Emirates
For further information go to www.gulfood.com
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
