1 the united arab emirates agri-food market rania hassan trade commissioner (agri-food) consulate...
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The United Arab EmiratesAgri-food Market
Rania Hassan
Trade Commissioner (Agri-food)
Consulate General of Canada
Dubai, UAE
January, 2015
Outline
Country Overview Food Trade Facts and Figures Why the UAE? Canadian Players Major Local Players UAE Import Requirements Challenges Where to start Major Food Exhibitions
Country Overview
Population of 9 million growing at 2.7% Small Emirati population, 20% Area 83,600 sq km in size Federation of 7 Emirates GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council)member Arabic is the official language, but English
is the business language) GDP = $414 billion (2013), growth 5.2%
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Agri-food Facts & Trade Figures
Agriculture Sector is a mere 0.1% of GDP More than 50% of agricultural land is uncultivated Weather conditions and water costs hamper agricultural
development efforts The UAE imports approximately 13.5billion$ of agri-food
products annually, 80 % of food needs are imported Imports increased by 12% in 2014 41% of imports are processed foodstuff 30% of agri-food imports are re-exported to the GCC and
South East Asia Canada’s exports of Agri-food products to UAE$
448million (Total exports are $1.6billion) Top food exports: Oil seeds, grains, pulses & processed
foods 4
Why The UAE? Fast growing young population Multicultural nations, 40,000 Canadians High per capita income ($45,000) Economic & political stability Expo 2020, large influx of tourists &
businesses Unprecedented boom in hospitality sector Large food consumption, limited supply Local food production relies on imported
ingredients UAE consumers (locals and expats)
always looking for new products5
Why The UAE? (cont.) Advanced infrastructure, logistical
support, free zones Access to other regional, Asian and
African markets Canadians viewed as friendly & honest Shopping & dining are major leisure
activities Opportunities for: seafood, functional
foods, organic, halal processed foods, ingredients
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Canadian Players Big supplier of grains & oilseeds including wheat & canola
seeds
Canadian beef in many 5-star hotels & restaurants, as well as scallops & lobsters.
Maple syrup, cereal bars, jams & fillings, Canola oil
McCain International at retail and & food service
Clearwater Fine Foods enjoying significant growth in supplying live lobster and frozen seafood products
Several other suppliers:Taste of Nature,, Voortman, Shasha, Crofters, Fruit D’or, Great Northern Maple Syrup, Citadelle, Cocomira, Natura
Canadian franchise foodservice sector continues to build on its solid presence (e.g., Tim Horton's, Second Cup, Java U, Café Suprême, Eggspectations, Big Smoke Burger to open soon.. )
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Major Local Players Hypermakets & large supermarkets: Lulu,
Carrefour, Géant, Hyperpanda Smaller Supermarkets: Spinneys, Waitrose,
Choithram, Al Maya Coop : Union Coop Convenience, grocery stores & express type
stores (Carrefour Market, Lulu), Spinneys) Listing fees Marketing Channels: exporters can sell to the
market through : local agents or importers/distributors who sell to
retailers, HRI, wholesalers Major hypermarkets & supermarkets preferably
through consolidators in Canada
UAE Import Requirements Documents: commercial invoice, certificate of
origin, halal certificate for meat, health certificate, airway bill
Labelling : bilingual, list of ingredients, manufacturers name & address , biotech ingredients, halal, animal fats, net content in metric units, special storage requirements, additives, country of origin
Production and expiry date Label preapproval through Dubai Municipality Herbal preparations, health and supplementary
foods must be registered with the MOH 5% custom duty
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Challenges Understanding cultural differences
Competitiveness of local and regional products, GGC imports come duty free
Strong competition from Europe, Australia, US and New Zealand
Typical workweek Sunday– Thursday
Time Zone differences
Language, gender..
High shipping costs- initial imports are small quantities, consolidation approach
Reliance on oil revenues-economy subject to sharp swings
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Where to Start?
Study market potential Conduct a visit or more Participate in appropriate trade
shows Join a trade mission Look for a good local importer Support marketing activities Start with small quantities
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Major Food Exhibitions
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Gulfood (Dubai) www.gulfood.com Annual Event (February)
SIAL Middle East (Abu Dhabi)www.sialme.com Annual Event (November) Seafex Middle East (Dubai)www.seafexme.com Annual Event (November)
Middle East Natural & Organic Expo (Dubai) http://www.naturalproductme.com/Annual Event (November) The Specialty Food Festival (Dubai) www.specialty.ae Annual Even (November)
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Contact Information
Rania Hassan
Trade Commissionner (Agri-Food)
Consulate General of Canada
Dubai, UAE
(T): +971 4 404-8507
(M):+971 50 652 4395
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