167 Egyptian companies to exhibit at Gulfood 2016

EGYPT will be well represented at Gulfood to take place from 21-25 February at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). About 167 companies from the country are expected to exhibit at this food and hospitality event.

“Though a long-standing Gulfood partner, Egypt is bringing a much wider, multi-commodities exhibitor profile to Gulfood in 2016 covering suppliers of freshly frozen fruit and vegetables, chocolate biscuits, dairy and dates,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC.

“There appears to be renewed impetus among Egyptian producers given that food exports are increasingly accounting for increased revenues in export earnings and that the country is well placed to seize the demand momentum for halal produce.”

Fruits, vegetables and nuts are among the Egypt’s leading products. In 2014, the country’s shipped US$26.8 billion worth of products, with these three being among the top five exports. Between 2010 and 2014, Egypt’s exports of vegetables reached $1.2 billion and accounted for 4.6 percent of all exports while those of fruits and nuts jumped to $1.1 billion and represented 3.9 percent of export totals.

“New Egyptian product areas are emerging, as evidenced by the spread of products at this year’s Gulfood pavilion,” said Ms LohMirmand. “For instance, meat and seafood preparations are Egypt’s fastest-growing export category soaring 805 percent between 2010 and 2014 to reach $8.8 million. The country is also gaining a foothold with cocoa exports, which are up 238 percent over the same period to $148.5 million.

“With Egypt being a Muslim country, well trusted internationally and well versed in Halal preparation, the country stands to gain significantly from the global upsurge in halal food product demand which is expected to grow to a $2,537 billion market by 2019 and account for 21.2 percent of global food expenditure.”

Other exhibitors also interested in Egyptian market

Egypt has a growing food and beverage industry. While Egyptian exhibitors will be seeking new customers for their products at Gulfood, they will also be prospects for other participating and visiting suppliers of equipment at the event.

BMI Research forecast that for Egypt’s food and beverage industry despite challenges such as high inflation. “Continued investment by multinational corporations into Egypt's food and drinks industry bolsters our view that the country presents robust growth opportunities,” according to the independent competitive intelligence advisory. Total food consumption will account for a compound annual growth of 11 percent until 2019 with per capital food consumption growing just over 9% over the same period, it said.

“The BMI forecasts make for a highly interesting two-way trade scenario as Egypt looks to grow its own food and beverage production capabilities, service high domestic demand and look to earn foreign exchange by widening its export base in terms of geography and product profile,” said Ms LohMirmand. “We anticipate business sealed for Egypt at the show being something of a case study in Gulfood’s ability to serve up more trade and unearth more trends.”

Gulfood 2016 will feature products from 5,000 participating companies from 120 countries. It will have 117 national and industry pavilions. Some 85,000 visitors from more than 170 countries will be attending the exhibition, among them heads of state, ministers, government officials and national trade associations from five continents.