Buyer Reception | Middle East

In collaboration with the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ) and with the support of the Canadian Consulate General in Dubai, Group Export is pleased to welcome buyers from the Middle East to its offices, including the companies Grandiose and Zaina. This event will take place on October 31, 2024, in Sainte-Julie.

Who are Grandiose and Zaina ?

Grandiose is a supermarket chain founded and based in the United Arab Emirates. With 42 locations, including 28 in Dubai and 14 in Abu Dhabi, it offers a wide range of food and non-food products, with an emphasis on quality and freshness. The chain is growing at a fast pace and continues to expand in the region. Over the years, it has established itself as a major player in the UAE retail sector.

Also based in Dubai, Zaina specializes in the distribution of high-quality gourmet brands. They import products from various countries and handle their distribution in Dubai and the  other emirates. With 132 points of sale across the United Arab Emirates, Zaina is a key player in the region’s high-end product distribution sector.

Sought-after Product Categories:

• Dairy products
• Meat and poultry
• Snacks
• Breakfasts
• Beverages
• Sauces
• Frozen products
• Baked beans
• Pet food
• Maple products
• Chocolate

Certifications and Sought-after Attributes:

• Retail format
• GMO Free
• Halal

How to participate in B2B meetings?

• If your company meets the requirements, please submit your application and complete your company profile, which will be presented to the buyers by the end of September;
• All applications will be presented to the buyers, who will select the companies they wish to meet;
• You will be informed by email by September 27 if your company has been selected for a meeting.

Market Data

According to Global Affairs Canada (Sector Trend Analysis – Consumer Profile – The United Arab Emirates), although the UAE is a small state, it has rapidly emerged as one of the world’s most affluent and dynamic nations. Spending on food and non-alcoholic beverages is on the rise, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1% until 2025, and spending on meat is expected to reach US$515 per capita by 2025. The high proportion of foreign residents, who account for 87.5% of the population, influences demand for international and high-end food products, reflecting a search for quality and luxury in food consumption.

The Group Export Agri-Food is a non-profit organization who manages export financial programs from the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec and from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

As a government program manager, Group Export has defined a general policy to follow when participating in a trade show. Policy’s details are as follows:

Eligibility for Exhibitors and Visitors

To qualify as an exhibitor or visitor, the company must:

• Meet all eligibility criteria for provincial and federal subsidies applicable to this activity;
• Hold a license number from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) or demonstrate that it is not required for its type of business.

The Group Export reserves the right to refuse any registration for this activity.