Gulfood 2022 supercharge the international food market
For the last couple of days, Gulfood 2022 Dubai has unveiled a new picture in the international F&B trade, with innovative products launched by several participants at the event and a dimension of trade in the Middle East. As an example, UAE's food and beverage trade crossed the $20 billion mark in the first 9 month of 2021, according to a new analysis from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce.
Imports accounted for the largest share of the UAE’s F&B trade during January-September 2021 period, amounting to $12.8 billion, followed by exports ($4.1bn) and re-exports ($3.3bn).
For the last decade, UAE’s F&B imports, exports and re-exports grew at a CAGR of 0.6%, 7.5% and 6%, respectively. Imported fruits and nuts accounted for the largest proportion of the UAE’s imports at 13%, followed by meat (11%) dairy products (10%) and oilseeds (7%). India was the UAE’s top F&B trading partner in the first nine months of 2021. India accounted for 12% of the UAE’s total F&B trade value. It was followed by the US (7%) Brazil (6%) Australia (5%), Canada (5%) and Saudi Arabia (5%). 10 markets accounted for about 66% of the UAE’s total F&B exports from January-September 2021, with Saudi Arabia ranking first in this category with a share of 17%, followed by Oman (9%), Kuwait (8%) and China (5%).
Since May last year, Dubai launched the first phase of the Food Tech Valley, an initiative that aims o triple the UAE’s food production and will include a smart food logistics hub, R&D facilities as well as agricultural technology and engineering labs.
Time to re-define the world of food
On the other hand, 4000 companies and industry leaders from 120 countries are discussing the opportunities brought in the international landscape by new technologies and the advance of e-commerce in the food market along with challenges resulting from the COVID crisis. This 27th edition of Gulfood is more focused on major global challenges, trends and change drivers, including e-commerce, technology, sustainability and disruptive cellular agriculture bio-innovation (the production of animal-sourced foods from cell culture methods) and emerging slow and plant-based food trends.
At the same time, the event hosted the launch of Gulfood Zero Waste, a global campaign in partnership with restaurants and hotels driving the zero waste initiative globally. The initiative also provides a platform for impact-driven, homegrown companies, including a partnership with The Waste Lab, which is implementing solutions to repurpose food, such as compost, with societal and economic benefits. The Gulfood 2022 onsite Zero Waste Mega Impact will aim to collect 1,000 kg of food wastage to produce 400 kg of compost, equating to a CO2 emissions saving of 1,000 kg.
The innovative campaign will culminate in an award ceremony recognising zero waste-leading restaurants.
Responding to consumers demand
As the impact of the pandemic was felt all over the world. some of the leaders in the industry have responded quickly to the new lifestyle adopted by the consumer. One example comes from Seara, a JBS subsidiary, which is set to launch Seara Shawaya, a first-of-a-kind innovation in the frozen foods category. Chicken for Roasting is the latest innovation from Seara that seeks to fill the gap where no added value products are offered. Developed with the Middle East woman in mind, the product offers variety and novelty while addressing key consumer needs around convenience, taste and quality. On-site, Seara's chef will present the 'freezer to oven' halal product for tasting, giving visitors and potential customers the opportunity to taste the delicious flavors while noticing the ease of preparation.
"Following the company's commitment to innovation and quality, we are proud to present our new range Seara Shawaya, the novel solution in the frozen poultry category. Roasted chicken has long been a favorite among the population in this region, and we are glad to be offering this new category that promises to meet the consumer's need for convenience, taste and speed of preparation, tailored to local tastes and flavor preferences. Tested during research among consumers in the region, the product guarantees to simplify the daily lives of women today, who juggle multiple roles with a greater demand of their time than ever before.", said the company in a press release.
As poultry and beef are some of the products in high demand in the Middle East, Friboi is adding a new range of premium products dedicated to consumers in the region: Friboi Black and Friboi 1953. "By showing our premium product ranges, we want to emphasize to the market that Brazilian beef has the same quality as American and Australian beef. Moreover, we are expecting to close new contracts and to expand our market share in the Middle East and Africa," declared Renato Costa, President of Friboi.
Derived from a breed of cattle originating in the United States and bred on farms in Goiás, Friboi Black is an exclusive range focused on creating a memorable and unforgettable food experience for consumers, reiterating the quality of Brazilian beef.
The cattle intended for the Friboi Black range are checked by a highly qualified technical team to meet all the strict specifications of the Black Program. Only 1% of Friboi cattle make it to the production stage at the age of 18 months and are fed with grain for at least 180 days. These factors are scientifically proven to add tenderness, marbled texture and quality, as well as consistency and smoothness to the beef.
The other range is 1953, ideal for consumers with more demanding palates. It involves innovative processes using the best selections of beef and raw materials produced from European breeds, offering a unique gastronomic experience through the perfect balance between flavor, smoothness and succulence. "Our efforts aim to develop best practices across the entire process, from the welfare of the animals to the delivery of the end-product," added Mr. Costa.
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