Emirates dates industry witnesses 58 percent growth

Dubai Exports, the export promotion agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) — Government of Dubai, in association with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, is leading representatives from the foods and related services sector in Dubai to SIAL, the premier foods exhibition in Europe, being held in Paris from Sunday to Oct.25, 2012. The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) also participates among the UAE national pavilion at SIAL Paris 2012, which is currently underway in Paris. ADFCA have commenced meeting with international food industry leaders to introduce UAE products and open new markets. “The volume of date’s exports during 2011 was estimated by $112.6 million, while imports mounted to nearly Dhs354.9 million, and the volume of re-exporting dates was valued at around Dhs270 million, which demonstrate growth of overall Emirates dates industry trading is 58 per cent, comparatively from 2007 to 2011,” said Mohamed Jalal Al Reyaysa, Director of Communication and Community Service, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority. He also said: “ADFCA’s participation at international exhibitions aims to endorse UAE food’s trade particularly dates. Noting that Emirate dates imports and exports had witnessed progressive increase mounting to Dhs737.4 million in 2011.” Dubai Exports has been participating in the bi-annual event for the last four years. Over this period, Dubai Exports has seen 50 per cent increase in its strength and 90 per cent increase in exhibition space at SIAL. This year the Dubai Exports delegation at SIAL had over 18 members including local companies and government agencies, in a 195 square-metre stand. Abdullah Bin Ahmed Al Saleh, Director General of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade (MoFT), commented: “Through participating in international fairs and exhibitions in partnership with different agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Trade aims to create new opportunities for local companies, enhance their export capabilities and update businesses worldwide on UAE industries. We are happy to be in SIAL in partnership with Dubai Exports as it gives us an opportunity to highlight the steady improvements in the UAE foods sector on a global stage.” Al Saleh added: “The UAE food trade grew 10 per cent in 2011 to reach Dhs17.5 billion from Dhs15.8 billion in 2010. It also accounted for two per cent of the total UAE exports, valued at Dhs927.6 billion, and five per cent of the total non-oil exports. Food products also constituted two per cent of UAE’s imports and one per cent of re-exports during the same period.” The multi-disciplinary exhibition has an exhaustive food product offering and brought all food channels together under one roof in 19 clearly identified sectors. Nearly 140,000 food industry professionals from as many as 100 countries are attending the five-day event this year. “Our experience shows that SIAL is a valuable medium for exporters and companies in Dubai to connect with potential customers across strategic European markets. The geographical reach, diversity of displays and quality of visitors makes the exhibition a must-attend event for anyone looking to compete successfully in the food exports market,” commented Engineer Saad Al Awadi, CEO of Dubai Exports. In 2011, the UAE exported approximately US$7 billion of non-oil exports, seven per cent of which were food-related items, to the 15 European Union countries. The most popular items exported were cooking oil, confectionary, beverages and processed foods. From Gulftoday