86 companies to display the widest range of Brazil's finest food products aiming to surpass US$650 million worth of deals during the 5-day long show

Brazil's supply chain of high quality food products to the MENA region, estimated at US$ 10 billion annually, actively contributes to the region's food security strategies for generations to come

Dubai, 17 February, 2016

The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) revealed today the Brazilian delegation to the region's prime food and beverage trade show, Gulfood 2016, which will take place from 21 to 25 February at the Dubai World Trade Center. The biggest and highest level delegation since Brazil's first participation at Gulfood in 2007 consists of 86 companies, reflecting the importance of the greater Middle East, Africa and South Asia region and the vital food sector at large.

Brazil has long been the world's major food supplier and with the natural growth of the planet's demographics and technology, Brazilian food products gathered pace with product diversity and technology implementation. Brazil's Food & Beverage exports to 200 markets exceeded US$ 62 billion in 2015, with MENA countries importing  US$ 10 billion, mainly poultry, sugar, corn and beef. This was mainly primarily driven by theby the development of air and sea transports, whereby the Brazilian  pool of food products massively expanded with the introduction of candies, lollipops and sweets; breakfast cereals; milk and dairy products; chocolates; rice; fruit juices; fruit pulp; cookies; cheese bread; organics; honey and propolis; among others, all of which will be displayed at Gulfood. This, in fact, has transformed the GCC into a key market for Brazil, representing 6% (US$ 3.9 billion) of Brazil's  total global food exports in 2015 while the UAE alone imported US$ 1.2 billion, from Brazil . Figures also underline untapped opportunities, as the overall food consumption in GCC is set to increase by 3.5% annually.

Andre Favero, Business Director at Apex-Brasil, commenting on Brazil's largest delegation to Gulfood said:  "Our presence in the UAE today underscores our commitment to the region's food security strategies through by maintaining an unshakable supply chain structure benefiting from our robust historical ties and the daily direct air and sea links with Brazil's main exporting hubs. Brazilian food products remain a distinguished source of protein and other vital natural elements to preserve the region's food security. This is while why Dubai and its promising smart city aspirations represent  the right place to showcase Brazil's latest high tech innovations in the food sector, as Brazil is rapidly developing and embracing the latest techniques in food technology."

The Brazilian delegation led by Apex-Brasil will comprise of sector organizations & and companies that, over along the 5-day show, will have business meetings with clients and potential importers, as well as interact with the visitors at the Pavilion. Visitors will be are invited to taste Brazilian typical food dishes in a steakhouse and a restaurant, where a Brazilian chef will prepare typical food and shawarma with Brazilian chicken.

-Ends-

For any more information please contact:
Ameen Kousaibaty
Media coordinator
+971 55 263 78 90
Ameen.kousaibaty@ebmuae.com

© Press Release 2016