Haylon Smith, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise Haylon Smith, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise

For the first time in a decade, New Zealand banded a group of its companies to exhibit under one banner at Gulfood 2016.

This, New Zealand Trade commissioner – Middle East, Africa and Pakistan Haylon Smith told Caterer Middle East, was due to the importance of the region for New Zealand exports.

In the year ending June 2015, New Zealand food and beverage trade with GCC reached US$ 2.7 billion per annum, and Smith said: "It’s quite exciting for us to have all the New Zealand companies in one spot instead of having them dispersed through the show."

Thirteen companies exhibited at the two-storey pavilion with a Raw Coffee counter, and live cooking demos using New Zealand produce carried out by local chef Tomas Reger.

Smith told Caterer Middle East: "What underpins them all is that they are at the prime end of the spectrum and they are all looking at how they can leverage their presence here in Dubai and take on some markets around the wider Gulf and North Africa."

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He continued: "What we’re seeing is that a number of companies, especially on this stand, are investing in this market. They are seeing Dubai as a hub; they establish themselves here and then work out to Saudi which is one of the big volume markets and then move out to North Africa particularly for the dairy companies, which is a growth market.

"It shows New Zealand’s investment and commitment to the market, so we see the Middle East as quite a significant market for New Zealand exporters. The GCC is New Zealand’s fifth largest trading partner and with that entails an investment from us to continue that relationship and build on it as companies continue to grow that investment."

Some companies which Smith said have done well in this market include chicken brand Tegel and dairy company Fonterra.

BODCO, Fonterra Co-operative Group, Goodman Fielder and Open Country Dairy joined ANZCO Foods Ltd, Firstlight Foods, Garra International Ltd, GreenMount Foods Ltd, Rockit Trading Company, Silver Fern Farms, Tegel Foods Ltd, Van Dyck Fine Foods Ltd and Yarrows the Bakers (2011) Ltd at the pavilion.