“World-class” UK beef, dairy and lamb produce is being showcased at Gulfood, a food and drink trade show in Dubai.
This is according to Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) senior halal manager, Dr Awal Fuseini, who said the event shines a spotlight on UK produce.
The event kicked off today (Monday, February 19) and will run until Friday (February 23).
“The Middle East is an important market for the lamb sector and the show provides the ideal platform to build on our excellent reputation for high-quality produce,” Fuseini said.
“Taking part in events like Gulfood is aimed at helping to ensure our exporters continue to capitalise on the opportunities presented in the Middle East and the wider global market.”
13 red meat and seven dairy exporters from the UK join AHDB at Gulfood to promote UK produce to international buyers.
The show is held at Dubai’s World Trade Centre and has more than 5,500 global exhibitors.
UK produce
Visitors to AHDB’s red meat stand had the chance to sample lamb from the UK and watch a butchery demonstration by AHDB’s butcher Martin Eccles.
AHDB’s dairy stand featured cheese and butters, as well as infant formula and milk powders.
A Dairy Buyer breakfast meeting event also took place prior to the show opening with 11 British dairy companies taking part – the seven businesses accompanying AHDB and four others – and meeting more than 20 buyers.
AHDB head of international trade development for dairy, Lucy Randolph, said: “The Middle East is a growth market for UK dairy and Gulfood gives us the chance to showcase our high-quality produce and build its reputation in the region, connecting our exporters with buyers from across the region.
“AHDB analysis has highlighted the region as a large net importer of food. Coupled with strong population growth driving consumer demand for high-value products like dairy, UK exporters are well placed to satisfy this growing appetite.
“Levy payers have told us how much they value AHDB’s export work and we look forward to helping our exporters capitalise on this growing demand for UK dairy products in the Middle East, particularly for cheese in the foodservice and hospitality sector.”
