NEW Zealand is making the Middle East a priority market for its food and drink producers, according to the country’s economic development agency, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE).
Six companies from New Zealand are planning to showcase their products, including meat and dairy, desserts and fresh seafood such as live New Zealand rock lobsters, at Gulfood 2006.
The New Zealand pavilion is being supported by NZTE as part of a wider campaign to grow New Zealand exports to the UAE, Nicola Bitossi, NZTE’s market development manager, told RNME.
“The Gulfood exhibition is a good platform for exposure and a good way to launch new products into the market,” she said. “The Middle East is certainly a market of focus and New Zealand does see it as a priority market, so we expect to grow the number of suppliers and products to the region in the next couple of years.
“They [NZ companies] are committed to increasing trade partnerships with the UAE and anticipate introducing many of their products to both the foodservice and retail markets in Dubai over the coming year,” she added. “All of the companies that attended last year’s event saw it as successful.”
NZTE selected Dubai as a priority market partly because the emirate is viewed as leading the way in the Middle East’s food and drink sector, according to Bitossi. “Dubai’s premium rated hotel sector is an excellent fit with New Zealand’s high quality food and beverage offering,” she said.
“Through our presence at Gulfood, as well as other activities, we hope to continue to build awareness of our food and beverage offerings and help more New Zealand companies into the market.”
Experts from New Zealand will also be speaking at the Dubai International Food Safety Conference.
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