Dubai – Over 30 Brazilian companies are participating in the Gulfood, the main food sector fair in the Middle East, which begins today (23) in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. The 14th edition of the event should bring together over 3,300 companies from 75 countries. Brazil has five pavilions that bring together companies from sectors like beef, chicken, fruit, sweets, pasta, biscuits coffee and beverages. The event ends on Thursday (26).
At the stand organized by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture there are 12 companies, being most exporters to the Arab market aiming at expanding their exports. One of the sectors that recently started investing in the Arab countries is the sweet, sector, also including caramels and chocolates, which has taken six companies to the fair.
Last year, sector exports to the Arab market totalled US$ 6.85 million, representing an increase of 19% over 2007. However, according to the president of the Brazilian Cocoa and Confectionery Manufacturers Association (Abicab), Getulio Ursulino Netto, sales to the region represent just 3% of total sector exports. "Our target is to have a 15% increase in sales to the region in two to three years," said the president at the organisation, who is in Dubai.
According to him, this is the first time that Abicab participates in an event in the Middle East and the idea is to promote business roundtables in Dubai next year. "From here [Dubai] we can expand to other markets," said Netto.
Another sector that is betting on the market is the chicken sector, which exported US$ 2 billion to the Arabs in 2008. "The Middle East represents one third of the Brazilian exports of chicken and Brazil has great chances of continuing expanding sales to the Arab market," stated the president of the Brazilian Poultry Exporters Association (Abef), Francisco Turra, who is also in Dubai.
The Abef is one of the sector organisations that has its own pavilion at the Gulfood and includes several companies in the sector. According to Turra, the fair takes place at a moment of transition, concern and discomfort in the global economy. "Notwithstanding, Brazil knows how to maintain the quality, the sustainability and the standards that comply with the demands of the Arab consumer market. We are very competitive," he added.
To promote beef, the Brazilian Beef Industry and Exporters Association (Abiec) also has a pavilion at the fair with several companies, including barbecue chain Barbacoa, which offers visitors the sampling of the famous Brazilian barbecue.
Another Brazilian pavilion is that of the Brazilian Fruit Institute (Ibraf), which brings to the Arab countries assai, a fruit typical of Brazil that is rich in nutrients and is deoxidising, among other novelties. The product is even news in the Gulfood press release, which recalls Brazilian participation in the event.
Growing fair
In this edition, the fair is taking place in an area of 80,000 square meters, with growth of 20% over 2008. But with 700 new exhibitors from countries like Russia, Iceland, Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, Pakistan and Palestine. According to the fair director, Al Marri, in a statement published by the Gulfood, the growth of the fair follows the same lines as the growth of the food industry in the Middle East. "It is a priority and a need of the Dubai World Trade Centre," said the director, referring to the company that organises the event.
According to figures supplied by the organisation, food sector imports of the countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, they total over US$ 10 billion per year, which generates interest of more and more companies.
In the sidelines of the Gulfood, there are other events like the Restaurant & Café Middle East, which shows the latest innovations in equipment, decoration and hotel, restaurant and bar services, Ingredients Middle East, which is taking place together with the fair for the first time, aimed at promoting ingredients made by suppliers of raw materials for food, drinks and health foods, and the Emirates International Salon Culinaire, a chef competition in which sophisticated dishes will be served.
*Translated by Mark Ament
