28 February 2011

Quality food and beverage on show from Victoria, Australia’s food basket

Five new exhibiting companies increase range of quality products for UAE.

Clean, green food and beverage from Australia’s largest food exporter, the State of Victoria, will be ripe for the picking at Gulfood 2011.

The State Government of Victoria is leading a delegation of 20 Victorian food and beverage companies to the show, providing an opportunity for the companies to showcase the best the State has to offer whilst conducting meetings with buyers and sharing knowledge and ideas with industry leaders.

With more than 2,000 food processing companies and goods valued at more than AED 33 billion (USD 9 billion), Victoria is Australia’s largest food exporting state, and is known as the country’s food basket.  There are almost 100 Victorian food service companies currently exporting to the MENA region, with a value of around AED 2.8 billion (USD 762 million), and many other products being imported directly to the UAE and other GCC countries. 

Companies exhibiting at this year’s event include beverage providers, dairy and meat exporters, global distributers and exporters, and food commodities companies.  Victoria has always had a strong presence at the event, and this year features five new companies including Exquisine (dairy desserts), Preshafood (fresh fruit juices and coulis), Bonkers Retail (global distribution & retail solutions), Mr Lamb & Sheepskins Pty Ltd (meat products, offal and sheepskins) and Scorpio Meats.

The delegation is being led by Commissioner for Victoria, John Butler, of the Victorian Government Business Office (VGBO). The VGBO has been operational from its headquarters in Dubai for the past 14 years, providing support for Victorian exporters and providing assistance to Middle East and North African regional companies and organisations wishing to source products and services, business introductions and investment opportunities with Victoria.

John Butler, Commissioner – MENA, State Government of Victoria, said:

“The GCC region is the world’s greatest food importer (per capita) importing up to 90% of its food requirements.  The State of Victoria is well equipped to support this market with a favourable climate, high quality soils and world-class industry standards leading to the production of superior products and services for export.

“Victoria’s dairy industry is our largest food sector with an estimated annual turnover of AED 25 billion (USD 6.6 billion) and representing 13 per cent of the globally traded dairy products including powdered milk, cream cheese and butter. This is followed by our meat industry which is the second largest exporter to the MENA region behind Brazil, and wheat and related grain products.

“The companies exhibiting at Gulfood this year reflect the quality and sustainability of Victoria’s food industry, and showcase the diverse range of goods and services on offer for the MENA region.”

Gulfood is recognised as the Middle East’s largest food, drink, food service and hospitality exhibition, which takes place annually at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.   The Victorian Government Business Office will be exhibiting at Gulfood 2011  in the Australian Pavilion, Stand Number F6-49. 

Paddy Kerrins, Sales Manager of Victoria’s Tatura Milk Industries, said:

"The Middle East is an increasingly important market for our business.  Attendance at the Gulfood event has been a key date in our marketing itinerary for many years allowing us to showcase our cream cheese range and other quality product we have to offer.  It provides the ideal opportunity for us to interact with buyers and importers directly. 

“We have seen our exports to the region grow considerably over the past three years, and are confident that with the region's rising population and expanding hospitality industry demanding high-quality goods, the Middle East will remain a key growth area for us."

In addition to participating at Gulfood 2011, the VGBO is leading a delegation of senior representatives from Victorian food and beverage companies to the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  The delegation will visit local supermarket chains and food and catering facilities, in addition to engaging in talks with local companies and the Chambers of Commerce Dubai, Riyadh and Jeddah.

ENDS