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The United Arab EmiratesAgri-food Market

Rania Hassan

Trade Commissioner (Agri-food)

Consulate General of Canada

Dubai, UAE

January, 2015

Outline

Country Overview Food Trade Facts and Figures Why the UAE? Canadian Players Major Local Players UAE Import Requirements Challenges Where to start Major Food Exhibitions

Country Overview

Population of 9 million growing at 2.7% Small Emirati population, 20% Area 83,600 sq km in size Federation of 7 Emirates GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council)member Arabic is the official language, but English

is the business language) GDP = $414 billion (2013), growth 5.2%

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Agri-food Facts & Trade Figures

Agriculture Sector is a mere 0.1% of GDP More than 50% of agricultural land is uncultivated Weather conditions and water costs hamper agricultural

development efforts The UAE imports approximately 13.5billion$ of agri-food

products annually, 80 % of food needs are imported Imports increased by 12% in 2014 41% of imports are processed foodstuff 30% of agri-food imports are re-exported to the GCC and

South East Asia Canada’s exports of Agri-food products to UAE$

448million (Total exports are $1.6billion) Top food exports: Oil seeds, grains, pulses & processed

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Why The UAE? Fast growing young population Multicultural nations, 40,000 Canadians High per capita income ($45,000) Economic & political stability Expo 2020, large influx of tourists &

businesses Unprecedented boom in hospitality sector Large food consumption, limited supply Local food production relies on imported

ingredients UAE consumers (locals and expats)

always looking for new products5

Why The UAE? (cont.) Advanced infrastructure, logistical

support, free zones Access to other regional, Asian and

African markets Canadians viewed as friendly & honest Shopping & dining are major leisure

activities Opportunities for: seafood, functional

foods, organic, halal processed foods, ingredients

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Canadian Players Big supplier of grains & oilseeds including wheat & canola

seeds

Canadian beef in many 5-star hotels & restaurants, as well as scallops & lobsters.

Maple syrup, cereal bars, jams & fillings, Canola oil

McCain International at retail and & food service

Clearwater Fine Foods enjoying significant growth in supplying live lobster and frozen seafood products

Several other suppliers:Taste of Nature,, Voortman, Shasha, Crofters, Fruit D’or, Great Northern Maple Syrup, Citadelle, Cocomira, Natura

Canadian franchise foodservice sector continues to build on its solid presence (e.g., Tim Horton's, Second Cup, Java U, Café Suprême, Eggspectations, Big Smoke Burger to open soon.. )

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Major Local Players Hypermakets & large supermarkets: Lulu,

Carrefour, Géant, Hyperpanda Smaller Supermarkets: Spinneys, Waitrose,

Choithram, Al Maya Coop : Union Coop Convenience, grocery stores & express type

stores (Carrefour Market, Lulu), Spinneys) Listing fees Marketing Channels: exporters can sell to the

market through : local agents or importers/distributors who sell to

retailers, HRI, wholesalers Major hypermarkets & supermarkets preferably

through consolidators in Canada

UAE Import Requirements Documents: commercial invoice, certificate of

origin, halal certificate for meat, health certificate, airway bill

Labelling : bilingual, list of ingredients, manufacturers name & address , biotech ingredients, halal, animal fats, net content in metric units, special storage requirements, additives, country of origin

Production and expiry date Label preapproval through Dubai Municipality Herbal preparations, health and supplementary

foods must be registered with the MOH 5% custom duty

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Challenges Understanding cultural differences

Competitiveness of local and regional products, GGC imports come duty free

Strong competition from Europe, Australia, US and New Zealand

Typical workweek Sunday– Thursday

Time Zone differences

Language, gender..

High shipping costs- initial imports are small quantities, consolidation approach

Reliance on oil revenues-economy subject to sharp swings

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Where to Start?

Study market potential Conduct a visit or more Participate in appropriate trade

shows Join a trade mission Look for a good local importer Support marketing activities Start with small quantities

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Major Food Exhibitions

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Gulfood (Dubai) www.gulfood.com Annual Event (February)

SIAL Middle East (Abu Dhabi)www.sialme.com Annual Event (November) Seafex Middle East (Dubai)www.seafexme.com Annual Event (November)

Middle East Natural & Organic Expo (Dubai) http://www.naturalproductme.com/Annual Event (November) The Specialty Food Festival (Dubai) www.specialty.ae Annual Even (November)  

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Contact Information

Rania Hassan

Trade Commissionner (Agri-Food)  

Consulate General of Canada

Dubai, UAE 

(T): +971 4 404-8507

(M):+971 50 652 4395

rania.hassan@international.gc.ca

 

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