Overview of the Middle East with the Agri-Food Trade Commissioner of the Canadian Consulate General in Dubai
Roundtables offer a true immersion into a market and give agri-food exporting companies the chance to engage with local specialists. In August, the Agri-Food Export Group organized a roundtable led by Nathalie Doré, MENA Agriculture Trade Commissioner & Counsellor at the Consulate General of Canada in Dubai. This session provided an overview of the dynamics, opportunities, and challenges in the Middle Eastern agri-food market.
To learn about upcoming roundtables offered by the Agri-Food Export Group, please visit the dedicated Training and Networking web page.
The Middle East
The Gulf Market comprises six countries—Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar—under the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This young, dynamic region, predominantly made up of expatriates, has a population of 60 million with significant financial resources and a diverse demand for food products. This economic prosperity, combined with a large and diverse expatriate population, creates opportunities for Canadian products, which are recognized for their high quality. This potential has prompted the Canadian government to launch two promotional initiatives to support local agri-food companies: promoting Canadian beef in supermarkets in Kuwait and a “Flavors of Canada” promotional campaign to showcase Canadian products in supermarkets across Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
More specifically, the United Arab Emirates offers a diverse market with growing demand for quality products. This country, with its thriving tourism economy, recognizes the richness of Canadian products, including grains, meat, and seafood.
The Middle East presents numerous opportunities but also particular challenges specific to the region, including the need to comply with Halal certification as well as logistical issues. Indeed, during her presentation, Nathalie Doré also emphasized the importance of finding a reliable importer distributor, as chains and other food businesses prefer to conduct transactions with local institutions.
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For assistance with packaging compliance for these markets, the Agri-Food Export Group offers a subsidized service in labelling and regulation.