South African Fruit and Vegetables Canners Export Council (SAFVEC) GM Jill Atwood-Palm says the Gulfood Exhibition that took place in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), from February 20 to 24, provided South African companies with an opportunity to increase exports globally.

SAFVEC was part of a business delegation of 16 South African agro-processing companies that were assisted by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) through its Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) Scheme to showcase their products.

The scheme aims to develop export markets for South African products and services and to recruit new foreign direct investment into the country.

According to Atwood-Palm, South Africa’s trade with the UAE and the region is niche but growing.

Dubai, in particular is a promising trade hub for re-exporting into the rest of the Gulf region and beyond, she adds.

She says that the council has the objective of showcasing proudly South African products, as well as building on and meeting existing customers throughout globally.

“We aim to attract new business leads, benchmark the industry against global competitors, garner market research and information, gain insight into new and developing product innovations and more importantly increase our footprint in the consumer, hospitality and industrial sectors.”

She adds that during the Gulfood Exhibition she investigated opportunities for re-exporting through the UAE free trade zones and engage with key retailers.

Atwood-Palm describes Gulfood as a significant show for the industry in that it is the largest yearly food show held globally, attracting a large number of participants from the region and the world at large.

It is sector-focussed and attracts key decision-makers in the form of clients, buyers, distributors and agents.

She says be products that are renowned for premium quality, colour and taste, made in world-class facilities by experienced manufacturers and exporters, were showcased.

The South African team at the show included producers like Rhodes Food Group, Jacobs Jams, Tiger Brands and Dursots.

“The Middle East continues to experience a population growth, translating into increasing opportunities for the agro-processing sector, with a market demand of $3-trillion,” she concludes.