More than 100 French exhibitors are participating in Gulfood 2011, with 60 companies at the French pavilion for food, beverages and ingredients and over 40 at the French Pavilion for equipment and process.

French agrifood exports to the Middle East (including Egypt) increased significantly in 2010, with a €1.525 billion ($2.08 billion) turnover and a 45 per cent rise compare to 2009.

The three major markets in the region for French food & beverage exports are Egypt with 36 per cent, Saudi Arabia (25 per cent) and the UAE (13 per cent). In the GCC, Saudi Arabia and UAE are the main markets with 59 per cent of the market.

Historically French exports to the Middle East were essentially made up of poultry and dairy products. Today, French producers are offering a diversity of products, with also significant exports of apples, biscuits and chocolates, fine products like foie gras, oysters, caviar, tapenades, dips, condiments, mineral water and other beverages.

This growth is in line with the expanding Middle Eastern food service market as it continues to develop rapidly due to a rising population, purchasing power, and a strong hospitality sector. 90 per cent of food items in the GCC are imported and French food products benefit from an excellent reputation (image and quality) in the Middle East.

Moreover, Dubai has a strategic position in the region and is a key trade hub. About 50 per cent of food imports are re-exported to 160 countries including the Gulf countries, the Indian subcontinent, North Africa and East and Central Asia.

France is also the 5th largest exporter of equipment for the food industry, and is therefore among the leading global providers.

Gulfood, is therefore very essential for French companies to develop their business in the region. Since its creation, France has not missed a single edition of Gulfood and over the years the French presence has kept growing, according to the organisers of Gulfood.

The international trade show Gulfood 2011 will be held from February 27 to March 2, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center.-TradeArabia News Service