By Rafiq Vayani
DUBAI: Business France, the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy, will be running 4 French pavilions at Gulfood this year. This trade show devoted to new F&B products will feature around 70 French companies, all eager to present their latest offerings and know-how.
France renews a strong participation at the Gulfood this year, highlighting the latest French products on a surface area of 800m² across four halls: fine food in the world food section in Sheikh Saeed Hall; dairy products in Hall 1; meat and poultry in Hall 3; drinks in Za’Abeel Hall.
For the first time at Gulfood, visitors will be able to discover a live cooking show provided by Cordon Bleu, the world renowned French Culinary Arts and Hotel Management institute, it will be heldthe whole week in Sheikh Saeed Hall and undertaken by the select Chefs Nicolas Houchet and Emil Minev.
The role of Le Cordon Bleu is to teach a whole range of technical and University training programmes for working in the restaurant, hotel and tourism industry since 1895. Le Cordon Bleu’s teaching method is based on practical learning with demonstrations and practical classes. The institute is developing its network year after year attracting 100 nationalities across the campuses. Le Cordon Bleu has a presence in the Middle East, with two institutes in Lebanon,awaiting other expansions in the region.
France is a major player in numerous segments, including dairies, fruits, vegetables, meat, and products for bakery to name just a few, agri-food products combine quality and excellence to cater closely to the requirements of consumers in the region.
Marc Cagnard, Business France Director in the Middle East stated: “Agri-food is France’s largest industry sector in terms of both revenue and jobs. By 2040, the global population is likely to be approaching 9 billion and the French agri-food market is estimated to be growing by an average of 4% a year, with health food alone set to grow 2.5% a year over the next three years”.
France is the 6th largest exporter worldwide with USD 65 billion. The Middle East region boasts a market share of more than 3,4% for French food exports which represents a value of 2.2 billion USD. The two first partners in the area are Saudi Arabia and UAE, making both a value of 1.1 billion USD. They are followed by Egypt and Lebanon.
In 2016, the UAE imported USD 400 million of food and beverage products from France, making the Emirates the 24th export market for the French industry. French exports of F&B products to UAE have doubled since 2010.
Saudi Arabia is the 20th export market for France.
More in details, for UAE imports, France is the 11th largest supplier and the 2nd from Europe.
This year, the regional partner agencies DEV’UP Centre Valde Loire and Bretagne Commerce International will also be in attendance to support companies from their region during Gulfood. Other partners that will contribute to the show’s success include EVIAN, the number one mineral water in the world and in the Middle East, BADOIT, sparkling mineral water talented for fine dining and endorsed by top Chefs worldwide, and CAFESRICHARD, a traditional “French-style” coffee roaster linked to the French gastronomy, Art de Vivre and to Paris (the leader on its market).
