SA Agro-Processing Companies to Showcase at Food Show in Dubai
A business delegation of sixteen South African agro-processing companies, including the South African Fruit and Vegetables Canners Export Council (SAFVEC) will showcase their products at the Gulfood exhibition in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 20-24 February 2023.
The companies’ participation has been funded by the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (the dtic) through its Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) Scheme. The scheme aims to develop export markets for South African products and services and to recruit new foreign direct investment into the country.
Gulfood is regarded as the largest food and beverage trade exhibition in the Middle East. It attracts a large number of participants from the Middle East and the world at large. Gulfood 2023 will showcase food and beverage products from around the world. South Africa will be displaying agro-processing products and services in the Trade Centre Arena, as well as beverages in Za’abeel Hall 2 at the event.
The Middle East continues to experience a population growth, translating into increasing opportunities for the agro-processing sector, with a market demand of $3 trillion.
According to the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Fikile Majola, South Africa’s participation is expected to positively influence export sales from the South African agri-food industry, food retail and value-added agro-processing products. In 2020, export sales generated by the South African companies at Gulfood were worth more than R221 million.
“The show is expected to expose South African companies to available opportunities in the UAE as well as creating awareness for South African products in the Middle East in general. South Africa’s participation in the Dubai Expo 2020, which was part of our efforts to revive the economy and create opportunities for inclusive growth, paved a way to further unlock opportunities by leveraging more trade events in the region, such as Gulfood, which offers a follow-through opportunity for South African firms,” says Majola.
The UAE remains the main destination for South African goods in the region, as reflected by the consistent increase of exports. Over the past 10 years, SA’s exports to the UAE grew from R8.6 billion in 2012 to R34 billion in 2021.
Enquiries:
Bongani Lukhele – Director: Media Relations
Tel: (012) 394 1643
Mobile: 079 5083 457
WhatsApp: 074 2998 512
Email: BLukhele@thedtic.gov.za
