In a move to increase local food and beverage exports to the Middle East, South African agro-processing companies are showcasing their products at the 25th Gulfood Exhibition in Dubai this week. Leading the delegation is Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry (the dti), Nomalungelo Gina, who said that previous missions to the UAE had resulted in millions of rands worth of investments.
Last year’s event brought in exports to the UAE valued at R66 million.
Total trade between South Africa and the UAE amounted to R54 billion in 2019, with South Africa’s exports to the UAE increasing from R21 billion in 2018 to R23 billion in 2019.
Gregory Aubert, food safety manager of Cape Town-based Good Hope Meats, said his company offered a range of fresh halaal products which he hoped to sell to companies in Africa, Middle East and Asia.
– Bjorn Vorster
