São Paulo – The largest food sector fair in the Middle East, Gulfood, should once again include Brazilian companies. This edition, to take place from the 27th of February to the 2nd of March, in Dubai, should include over 30 companies. There will be seven sector associations taking companies in the beef, chicken, chocolate, biscuit, sweet, coffee, dairy, fruit, juice and pasta sectors.
Gulfood should receive a total of 3,800 exhibitors from over 80 countries. The organizers expect to receive 55,000 visitors from over 100 countries. The Brazilian associations to participate in the fair have partnerships with the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil).
The Brazilian Poultry Union (Ubabef), for example, should take five companies: Unifrango, Diplomata, Copacol, Globo Aves and Superfrango. The Arab countries are the main market for Brazilian poultry exports. Last year, foreign sales to the Arabs totalled US$ 2.23 billion, growth of 13% over 2009. Shipments reached 1.365 million tonnes.
The Brazilian Institute of Wine (Ibravin) should participate in the fair in Dubai for the second time. The organisation should take four companies: Aurora, Catafesta, Galiotto and Irmãos Molon. The companies are part of the “Grape Juice of Brazil” project, whose objective is promotion of 100% natural Brazilian grape juice. Except for Aurora, the other companies should participate in Gulfood for the first time.
According to information disclosed by the Ibravin, the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae) is sponsoring the participation of Brazilian companies in the Gulfood. The Ibravin stand should be at the same site as that of the Brazilian Fruit Institute’s (Ibraf).
Apart from chicken, Brazil should also promote beef, through the Brazilian Beef Industry and Exporters Association (Abiec), which promotes a Brazilian barbecue at every edition of the fair.
Sweet, chocolate, biscuit and coffee companies will be at the fair with the Brazilian Cocoa and Confectionery Manufacturers Association (Abicab), the Brazilian Coffee Industry Association (Abic) and the Brazilian National Biscuit Industry Association (Anib).
In last year’s edition of the Gulfood, Brazilian companies closed deals totalling 30 million Brazilian reals (US$ 18 million).
*Translated by Mark Ament
