Gulfood 2015 Report

Mar 10, 2015

Global Interest
So it’s not just local or regional companies that were making their presence felt. A vast number of country pavilions were located at Gulfood, many of which were looking to cash in on the extremely lucrative Middle Eastern market.

Starting in the East, Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) participated at Gulfood for the second year running, with 24 companies and Japanese Wagyu beef as a headline product.

Prior to Gulfood, a Japan Food Tasting Seminar was held to introduce the exhibitors and products on offer. At the event, JETRO managing director Masayoshi Watanabe said: “Our authentic and traditional Japanese food items are essential for Japanese cuisine but are not easily available in the region.”

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Some of the exhibitors at the Japanese pavilion already supply to five-star hotels and restaurant chains, like Zuma and Nobu. However the export and reach is still constrained. Watanabe said that although the number of exhibitors at Gulfood’s Japanese pavilion and Japanese restaurants in the region have increased, there is a lot more potential for export and Japanese products in the Middle Eastern market.

Currently, Japanese exports to UAE mainly comprise non-alcoholic beverages, like energy drinks, and at Gulfood this year, JETRO tried to focus more on food items and authentic Japanese ingredients.

According to Watanabe, last year’s exports from Japan to GCC amounted to US $400 million, and he believes that it can increase manifold.

Moreover, Watanabe also stated that although Japanese manufactures are aware of halal procedures, the restriction does obstruct the exports. “I agree that if there were no halal restrictions, exports from Japan to UAE would have definitely increased majorly. Halal business in the world is so huge — with a world population of almost two billion Muslims and market value of approximately $6 trillion.”

Now heading to Europe, French food exports to the UAE surpassed €350 million (US $396.3 million) in 2013, Business France trade commissioner UAE and Qatar Francois Sporrer told Caterer Middle East.

The French pavilion hosted over 100 exhibitors at Gulfood, Sporrer said the UAE and KSA are very important export markets. “The UAE is more important not just for its own consumption but also as a hub, because some products are exported to Dubai and then re-exported to neighbouring countries,” Sporrer said.

“Last year alone, France exported €350 million of food to the UAE, which is about 10% of total French exports to the UAE, so it’s a really important part of what we export to this country. We are not on volumes, but rather on high-end and quality products, which is why we are so interested in the development of the tourism industry,” he added.

French food-related exports to the region include dairy, apples, pastry ingredients, egg products, and baking equipment. “France is the number one supplier for bakery products in the UAE, such as ovens, as well as kitchen equipment. You have the full spectrum but bakery is really the stronghold for French exports to the UAE,” Sporrer explained.

He also revealed the trade commission’s plans to focus on the meat market in the region. Sporrer said: “We believe we still have a strong opportunity in the meat sector. For now, we export mainly chicken and very specific meats, but two years ago we opened the local market for French beef again and we want to capitalise on this open door.”

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