1 / 15

The United Arab Emirates Agri-food Market

The United Arab Emirates Agri-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

beatricee
Download Presentation

The United Arab Emirates Agri-food Market

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The United Arab EmiratesAgri-food Market Rania Hassan Trade Commissioner (Agri-food) Consulate General of Canada Dubai, UAE January, 2015

  2. 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

  3. 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%

  4. 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-exportedto 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

  5. 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 products

  6. 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

  7. 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.. )

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. Where to Start? • Study market potential • Conduct a visitor more • Participate in appropriate trade shows • Join a trade mission • Look for a good local importer • Support marketing activities • Start with small quantities

  12. Major Food Exhibitions 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)

  13. Contact Information Rania Hassan Trade Commissionner (Agri-Food)   Consulate General of Canada Dubai, UAE  (T): +971 4 404-8507 (M):+971 50 652 4395 rania.hassan@international.gc.ca

More Related