Scottish companies are set to showcase a range of internationally recognised goods and products for the food and beverage industry at the Gulfood, a leading food and hospitality show set to take place in Dubai, UAE, next week.

The firms will also illustrate Scotland’s world-class agriculture and science base in supporting a modern, fast-moving Scottish food and drink sector, said a statement,

New product ranges and packaging will be launched and revealed by top producers such as Vegware, Shortbread House of Edinburgh and Reids of Caithness, it said.

Scotland has seen a nine per cent rise in food and drink exports to the UAE, increasing to over £8 million ($12 million) in 2013 in comparison to the same period in 2012 in recently released figures announced by the Scottish Government, making UAE the fastest growing market for Scottish food in the Middle East.

Tom Marchbanks, regional manager Middle East, Scottish Development International, said: “Gulfood provides a global stage for Scottish home-grown businesses looking to build their overseas markets. The Middle East offers huge potential for world-famous Scottish food and drink, and it remains a core market for Scottish salmon, seafood, beverages and grocery products - targeting both the high-end retail and food service sectors.

“The UAE has established itself as a global destination for fine dining, and we are seeing particular success for our food and drink companies with regional consumers buying more of our best-loved premium Scottish brands.

“All of this is supported by trade figures, which clearly show that the Middle East in general and the UAE in particular have become key markets for Scottish companies.”

The exhibiting companies on the Scottish pavilion include leading dairy farmer-owned and commercial business First Milk; a bottler of mineral water Highland Spring; Maclean's Highland Bakery; Pulsetta; Reids of Caithness; Ronan Foods; Sephra; Shortbread House of Edinburgh; and Vegware. - TradeArabia News Service