By Rafiq Vayani
DUBAI: The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) has announced the participation of over 90 Brazilian food and beverages (F&B) companies at this year’s edition of Gulfood, one of the largest annual food exhibitions, which will be taking place from February 17 to 21, 2019 at the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC). Participating companies will be throwing the spotlight on a comprehensive range of quality product, locally made products during this event.
ABCC and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) are jointly setting up pavilions to house the participating Brazilian firms. A range of products, including beef and poultry, biscuits, cookies, cheese, sweets, fruits, açaí, pasta, honey, juice, coconut water, coffee, and sugar, will be displayed in the pavilions that will be divided into five categories, namely beef, poultry, grains, beverages, and food products in general. Brazil has been participating in Gulfood for over a decade now to sustain its robust presence in the GCC region, the South American nation’s fourth biggest trading partner, as well as reach out to other global markets such as India and key African and Asian nations that are also joining the expo.
Rubens Hannun, President, Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, said: “Gulfood 2019 is another platform to increase the trade and investment flow between Brazil and the GCC states. The trade show will pave the way for new collaborative efforts and generate new leads resulting in considerable growth opportunities. Some of this year’s roster of participating Brazilian companies are first timers in the event but majority of them have been a regular attendee. Many have expressed eagerness to take part in Gulfood as a means to reinforce their presence in the region and in other global markets as well.”
Five ABCC member companies from Brazil will form part of the organization’s own booth in the event’s venue. The five are the RCMA Group, commodities and supply chain management trading that buys and sells sugar in São Paulo; pet food company Nutrire; logistics company O Primo; Florestal, which manufactures candies, lollipop, jelly beans, caramels and gums; Don Glutão, a leading meat company.
Brazil exported goods worth USD 11.48 billion to the Arab World in 2018, which is indicative of its robust trade relations with the region. Brazilian exports to the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were recorded at USD 2 billion, USD 2.13 billion, USD 2.1 billion, and USD 227 million respectively. The top exported Brazilian products during 2018 were meat, chicken, cereals; spices, coffee, and tea; sugar; foodstuff; and dairy, eggs, honey, among others.
