Japan, buoyed by record 2015 agricultural, forestry and fishery exports to the UAE amounting to  US $58.3 million (AED 214 million), has expanded its pavilion by 150%. The Japanese External Trade Organisation (JETRO)-led promotion will feature 27 mostly new to the region companies with a strong focus on halal and health-related products and Wagyu beef suppliers.

Eighty Brazilian companies are looking to build on the country’s 2015 exports to the GCC reaching almost $4 billion, with the UAE absorbing nearly a third. Pavilion participants will promote a vast range of products from poultry to fruit, dairy, confectionery and pastry, while the pavilion will have two restaurants – a steakhouse BBQ and general food outlet where a Brazilian chef will prepare typical food and shawarma with Brazilian chicken.

Gulfood stalwart France has 71 food and beverage companies and 28 foodservice equipment providers in a pavilion where experts in the Saudi Arabian, Lebanese, Egyptian, Indian and Kenyan markets will be on hand to facilitate business. Visitors will be able to sample dairy products, eggs and cheese, sauces and condiments, baked goods and dessert pastry, meat and ready meals, processed fruits and soft drinks. They will also discover the know-how behind French hospitality, bakery and pastry. French food, beverage and hospitality exports to the UAE have shown year-on-year growth since 2009 with the trade rising by 10% in 2014.

Meanwhile, Spain is launching its biggest ever Gulfood campaign across 1,404 sq m of exhibition space. Under the umbrella of the Spanish Trade and Investment body (ICEX), 197 food companies are participating at the show, whilst the Spanish Exporting Manufacturers Association for the Hospitality Industry (AFEHC) is bringing another 28 specialist hospitality and foodservice equipment companies.

The Spaniards will roll out a vast array of hospitality and catering equipment, from ice makers and fire doors, to food storage and containers, combi ovens, blast chillers, beverage cellers, commercial washers to juicers.

Long-standing Gulfood partner Egypt has 125 companies at the show and a much wider, multi-commodities exhibitor profile ranging from freshly frozen fruit and vegetables to chocolate biscuits, dairy and dates.

Pakistan’s revitalised food and beverage agricultural industry is launching a major export push at the show with 51 Pakistani companies in a country pavilion led by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP). The country’s Gulfood pavilion has grown from a mere 90 square metres in 2015 to 450 square metres this year, reflecting the emergence of a major exporting sector that is now challenging textiles as Pakistan’s main foreign exchange earner with worldwide sales topping US $5 billion last year.

Pakistani exhibitors will be looking to source new buyers for a huge range of products including rice, sauces, nuts, frozen foods, sweets, confectionery and tea. Pakistani participation expansion comes as the country achieved a 27% increase in the country’s food and beverage exports to the UAE alone over the past two years. The sector is now selling just short of $461 million worth of food and beverage to the Emirates annually.

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