Opportunities beckon at Dubai food expo

Agri companies invited to apply for financial help to participate

SOUTH African agri-companies have been asked to participate in next year’s Gulfood Exhibition in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), to help boost the country’s trade with the Middle East. The Department of Trade and Industry is calling on companies in the agro-procession sector to apply for financial support to participate in the exhibition, which will take place in February.

Last year, the department supported 35 companies at the exhibition, which generated export sales valued at more than R220 million.

The exhibition brings together exporters, importers, distributors, retailers, wholesalers, food producers and restaurateurs from more than 100 countries. Almost 100 000 visitors attend the show annually.

Qualifying South African companies will be assisted through the department’s export marketing and investment assistance scheme, which aims to develop markets for local products and services and to encourage foreign investment.

Bulelani Magwanishe, the deputy minister of trade and industry, said participating in the fair would afford the South African agro-processing sector an opportunity to showcase its products and services, to access the multi-billion-rand food and beverage market in the Middle East.

Tim Harris, the chief executive of Wesgro – Cape Town and the Western Cape’s tourism, trade and investment agency – said the agency participated in the Gulfood Exhibition annually.

“We intend to use next February in particular to advance our halal export promotion efforts. Our research and experience indicates that he UAE offers some of the greatest potential demand for Western Cape halal products.”

Harris said Wesgro had worked hard to establish government and business channels in the UAE to ensure that Western Cape companies had unfettered access to its markets and opportunities.

“We have even more workshops and inward/outward missions to key halal markets lined up over the next financial year, and we encourage Cape businesses of all sizes to contact and join us.”

According to Wesgro, exports from the Western Cape to the Middle East reached R5.1 billion in 2015, and increased 1.2% between 2011 and 2015.

The UAE was the Western Cape’s largest market in the Middle East in 2015, accounting for 43% of exports. Citrus fruit was the main product (34%) to the region, with exports valued at R1.7bn.

Between January 2003 and 2015, there were seven direct investment projects from the Middle East in the Western Cape, representing R1.2bn, Wesgro said.

The Middle East registered a 9% growth in outbound travellers last year, making it the fastest-growing outbound market in the world.

Total tourist arrivals in South Africa from the Middle East were 53 338 in 2015, an increase of 1.4%. Israel accounted for most arrivals from the Middle East.