Gulfood set to deliver Eastern promise for Scottish companies
Scottish Development International (SDI) will provide a huge boost to the Scottish food and drink industry this week, by leading a delegation of Scottish companies to Gulfood, one of the world’s biggest food and drink trade shows held annually in Dubai.
SDI, in partnership with industry leadership group Scotland Food & Drink, will host twelve Scottish companies on the Scotland pavilion at the show, including a number of companies exhibiting at Gulfood for the first time.
Among the new Scottish exhibitors hoping to reap the rewards of one of the world’s most lucrative markets are MacLean’s Highland Bakery, Culisse Highland Rapeseed Oil, Mama Tea Ltd, Mackies at Taypack, Mackintosh of Glendaveny and Gococo Coconut Water.
All of the companies attending the show will be looking to take advantage of the strong local appetite for Scottish produce, which saw food & drink exports to the region grow by 28% in 2011.
This burgeoning demand for Scottish produce recently helped SDI broker a Scottish food and drink promotion in a premium supermarket chain in Bahrain.
Last November, fifteen leading Scottish food and drink companies took part in an initiative highlighting the best of Scottish food and drink in the Alosra supermarket chain in Bahrain, in celebration of St Andrew’s day.
Commenting, Anne MacColl, chief executive of Scottish Development International, said: “Scotland’s food and drink industry continues to thrive and develop, and the Middle East is one of the fastest-growing global markets for Scottish produce.
“Gulfood is one of the key events in our international calendar, and in recent years, this show has proven to be an excellent showcase for Scottish food and beverage exports to the region.
“Last year, Scottish companies attending Gulfood were forecasting around £16 million of additional sales as a result of participation in the event, and thanks to the current high profile of Scottish food and drink within the region, we anticipate further strong interest from both Emirati and other Middle Eastern buyers in Scottish food and drink produce at Gulfood this year.”
James Withers, chief executive of Scotland Food & Drink, said:
“Food and drink is Scotland’s fastest growing export sector and all the activity at and around Gulfood this week will help maintain that momentum. Our food exports worldwide have risen 63% in the last four years as Scotland’s reputation as ‘A Land of Food & Drink’ strengthens.
“The Middle East presents real opportunities for companies as the demand for premium produce of the highest quality grows in the region. It is great to see another dozen companies bound for Dubai. As well as developing commercial opportunities for their own businesses, they are real ambassadors for the whole sector.”
SDI established its first office in the Middle East in 2008 and it remains a priority market, with further expansion planned for 2013/14.