São Paulo – The Brazilian Cocoa and Confectionery Manufacturers Association (Abicab) has announced that affiliated companies that took part in Gulfood, a food industry fair in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in late February, have closed deals amounting to US$ 3.35 million, up 13% from last year’s edition.
The fair featured Brazilian companies Docile, Dori, Embaré, Garoto, Harald, and Riclan. According to the Abicab, participating companies have also informed that contacts made at the event may be conducive to US$ 11.25 million worth of future deals, an estimate up 21% from the one made at Gulfood 2012.
Abicab Export vice president Solange Isidoro said in a press release that the Middle East is an increasingly interesting and promising market to Brazilian enterprises.
The companies participated under export-fostering project Sweet Brasil, a partnership between Abicab and the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex).
Approximately 50 companies and business organizations from Brazil participated the last edition of Gulfood, among them the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce. According to a survey conducted by Apex following the event’s conclusion, exhibitors reported having closed deals worth a combined US$ 150 million, and perspectives for another US$ 333 million in contracts during the 12 months following the fair.
Gulfood is the leading food industry fair in the Middle East, and is the fair that usually congregates the most Brazilian companies in the region.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
