The Middle East accounts for $65m of Brazil's total $500 million worldwide coffee exports. The Middle East accounts for $65m of Brazil's total $500 million worldwide coffee exports.

The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) has revealed plans to increase coffee exports to the Middle East, totaling AED 239 million (US $65 million) in 2012, by inviting a select group of the region’s F&B industry to meet directly with suppliers in Brazil.

While the Middle East may only play a small part in the South American country’s total worldwide coffee exports of AED 1.8 billion ($500 million), the ABCC in conjunction with the Brazilian government has begun a campaign to fly some of the Middle East’s biggest coffee importers and a select group of food and beverage companies to the ‘Expodireto Cotrijal’ agricultural fair being held in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul.

Speaking to Caterer Middle East, Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce general secretary and CEO Dr. Michel Alaby said: “Brazilian coffee has always been highly regarded around the world due to our ideal coffee growing climate and rich soil which produces a distinctive taste.

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In recent years there has been a significant increase in Brazilian coffee exports to the Middle East, which can be attributed to the successful work achieved by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce over the years.

Moreover, this strongly reflects the high regard for premium-quality Brazilian products in the region and will allow Brazilian coffee exporters to generate more trade opportunities in various Arab markets. The encouraging first-quarter figures have helped develop a solid momentum as we look forward to set new benchmarks in terms of trade volumes in 2013.”

Trade in food and beverage products between Brazil and the Middle East has been rising steadily over recent years, with the UAE alone importing nearly AED 5.9 billion ($1.6 billion) worth of food and beverage products from Brazil.

However, GCC countries currently only play a small role in Brazil’s coffee exports, with sales down 20% in 2012 to AED 59 million ($16 million). The ABCC was established more than 50 years ago to facilitate the flow of trade, culture and tourism between Arabs and Brazilians.