Brazil at Gulfood 2021 with 42 Companies, Reinforces Post-Pandemic Recovery

Brazil today said its pavilion at the upcoming Gulfood 2021 will have a large contingent of 42 companies showcasing the country’s best-in-class food and beverage products.

Brazilian companies will be taking part at Gulfood 2021 which opens on February 21, 2021 and will run till February 25, under the auspices of the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil).

Mr. Marcio Rodrigues, the Agribusiness Manager of Apex-Brasil said: “Brazil today is the largest producer and exporter of Halal protein in the world, we also are the second largest exporter of agricultural products to the Middle East. Only in 2020 the Brazilian exportation figure reached around US$ 9 billion. There are perspectives of growth resumption in important countries that attend the trade show. We have a strong presence in meat and animal protein, besides sugar, soy and corn. We have a good participation in the market with live animals, coffee, cotton and some others. It is worth mentioning that we have had several new markets opened by the Ministry of Agriculture for the region in recent years, which opens new opportunities. Among the main sectors with potential to expand sales to those markets are juices, dairy products, honey, organic and functional foods, besides processed and packaged foods”.

Attracting thousands of buyers from across the world, Gulfood presents the main market trends on food and beverage and facilitate trade mobilization. The show also attracts decision makers in trade as well as influencers from the Arab region, Apex-Brasil said.

“The United Arab Emirates are among the priority markets mapped by Apex-Brasil. Besides, the fair covers many buyers from other big and relevant markets also from that region (Middle East and North Africa) such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Algeria and Egypt. Dubai is a hub to the region, considered a trade and supply platform for exporters seeking new sales in the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia” Mr. Rodrigues said, adding that Brazil’s business in the region has jumped to US$ 1.4 billion in 2019 from US$645 million in 2015. Apex-Brasil said despite the COVID-19 circumstances impacting the number of participants at the expo, the relevance of Gulfood 2021 stays intact.

Market studies conducted by Apex-Brasil indicated that food sub sectors presented a US$10.8 billion opportunity for Brazilian products in imports from countries in the region and US$4.2 billion in Brazilian exports to these markets. The Brazilian participation correspond to the significance of these sub sectors and 38.9 per cent of the companies at the Brazilian pavilion cater to this segment.

Apex-Brasil has its own office in Dubai to leverage the opportunities and further expand the presence of Brazilian companies.

The UAE is one of the priority markets for Apex-Brasil and Gulfood attracts buyers from major and relevant markets of Middle East and North Africa (MENA), such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Algeria and Egypt. Dubai is acclaimed as a regional trading hub and a re-export platform for businesses seeking to grow in the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia.

Apex-Brasil said the progressive diversification of the country's economy has also helped grow business seamlessly reducing its vulnerability to oil price movements in comparison with other Gulf states, which gives more security to Brazilian exporters and trade to be based in the country.

About Gulfood

Gulfood 2021 which will open on February 21 2021 and will run till February 25 is the biggest trade fair of the Food, Beverage and Agribusiness sectors in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The fair which began in 1989, is an important platform for the entry of Brazilian products to the United Arab Emirates and adjacent markets. In its last edition, available data (2019) showed that it registered over 98,000 visitors and attracted more than 5,000 exhibitors from 192 countries. The profile of the buyers stand out and include trade professionals from all segments of the food and beverage production chain, with important decision makers and global industry opinion makers taking part.

About Apex-Brasil

The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad, and to attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy.

Apex-Brasil organizes several initiatives aiming to promote Brazilian exports abroad. The Agency´s efforts comprise trade and prospective missions, business rounds, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international trade fairs, arrangement of technical visits of foreign buyers and opinion makers to learn about the Brazilian productive structure, and other select activities designed to strengthen the country’s branding abroad.

Apex-Brasil also plays a leading role in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil, by working to identify business opportunities, promoting strategic events and lending support to foreign investors willing to allocate resources in Brazil.