Brazil sees promising opportunities at Gulfood 2014; confident to exceed last year’s USD 150 million worth of deals signed

UAE, February 24, 2014 - Brazil, the world’s sixth largest and Latin American leading economy, has announced its participation as Platinum Sponsor of Gulfood 2014, the world’s biggest annual food and hospitality show, which will take place from February 23 to 27, 2014 at the Dubai World trade Center (DWTC). The 2014 edition will see participation from 77 Brazilian companies representing eight sectors and CCAB (Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce). Brazil has expressed confidence in exceeding the USD 150 million worth of deals signed at last year’s event, which later helped drive in export values totaling USD 483 million in 2013.

The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil), an agency that promotes Brazilian products and services abroad will leverage the robust food and beverage trade between Brazil and the region to further strengthen the bilateral relations with the UAE. According to statistics released by the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, food exports from Brazil reached USD 5.3 billion in 2013 – depicting an increase of 6.62 per cent from the previous year.

The Business Director of Apex-Brasil, Ricardo Santana, said: “Brazil has witnessed a flourishing bilateral trade relationship with the Arab region with increasing demand for Brazilian meat products, sugar, coffee and spices, among others. Gulfood is an ideal platform to showcase our offerings to the Arab consumers and sign deals to further boost our trading relations. The highlight of our participation at Gulfood 2014 will be the live demonstration of recipes prepared by Brazilian chefs using Brazilian products. During the exhibition, we will bring Brazilian companies to visit the UAE’s leading supermarket chains to meet the officials and buyers.”   

The Brazilian pavilion is spread across 711 square meters with an adjoining mezzanine space that spans 311 square meters. The mezzanine area will feature cooking demonstrations, networking activities and product samplings. The associations that are being represented at Gulfood 2014 are the Brazilian National Association of the Biscuit Industry (ANIB), the Brazilian Cocoa, Chocolate, Peanut and Candies Manufacturers Associations (ABICAB), the Brazilian Fruit Institute (IBRAF), the Brazilian Cooperative Organization (OCB), the Brazilian Poultry Association (UBABEF), the Brazilian Association of Food and Beverage Exporters and Importers (ABBA), the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporters (ABIEC), and the Brazilian Rice Industry Association (ABIARROZ).

Apex-Brasil participates in Gulfood since 2008. In the first year, Apex-Brasil participated with three sectors. Since then, Brazil reached more space and more companies where interested in being part of the mission. This year, Apex-Brazil will bring 8 sectors, which represent an increase of more than 70% of the companies comparing to last year. 

Gulfood is the world’s biggest annual foodservice, hospitality and retail event. This year's edition of the show is expected to showcase 20,000 brands from over 4,500 exhibitors. Highlights of the exhibition will include the Annual Gulfood Awards, the Emirates Salon Culinaire Competition and Barista Bonanza in partnership with the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe. For more information, log on to http://www.gulfood.com/.