News
Growing Middle East Markets Attract Welsh Producers to Gulfood 2012
Welsh food and drink producers looking to capitalise on the growing Middle Eastern market are heading for Dubai and the region’s key specialist trade event – Gulfood 2012 (February 19-22).
Six Welsh companies are exhibiting at Gulfood 2012: Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales, Llanllyr Mineral Water, Rachel’s Organic, Real Crisp Company, The Abergavenny Fine Food Company, and Trioni Ltd.
They will be part of the Welsh Government’s Wales the True Taste Pavilion at the show, which is being held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Many of the companies have received trophies at the Wales the True Taste Food and Drink Awards, and a number have already established a presence with leading retailers in the Middle East marketplace.
It is the eighth consecutive year there has been a Welsh Government stand presence at the event, which in 2011 attracted over 62,000 domestic and international visitors.
Last year nearly 4,000 exhibitors for 107 countries took part with visitors including buyers from retail, airline and public sectors, as well as restaurateurs, hoteliers, importers and distributors.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the UK’s largest food and drink export market in the Middle East and North Africa with export sales of over £109 million in 2010 – an increase of over 22% on 2009.
Factors such as the country’s popularity as a tourism destination and growing population – including a 120,000 strong British ex-pat community – make it an important potential market for Welsh producers.
