Transcript UAE-Agrifood-presentation

The United Arab Emirates
Agri-food Market
Rania Hassan
Trade Commissioner (Agri-food)
Consulate General of Canada
Dubai, UAE
January, 2015
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Outline
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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
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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 = $414 billion (2013), growth 5.2%
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Agri-food Facts & Trade
Figures
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Agriculture Sector is a mere 0.1% of GDP
More than 50% of agricultural land is uncultivated
Weather conditions and water costs hamper agricultural
development efforts
The UAE imports approximately 13.5billion$ 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
foods
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Why The UAE?
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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 products
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Why The UAE? (cont.)
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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
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Big supplier of grains & oilseeds including wheat & canola
seeds
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Canadian beef in many 5-star hotels & restaurants, as well
as scallops & lobsters.
Maple syrup, cereal bars, jams & fillings, Canola oil
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McCain International at retail and & food service
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Clearwater Fine Foods enjoying significant growth in
supplying live lobster and frozen seafood products
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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
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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
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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
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Understanding cultural differences
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Competitiveness of local and regional products, GGC imports
come duty free
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Strong competition from Europe, Australia, US and New Zealand
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Typical workweek Sunday– Thursday
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Time Zone differences
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Language, gender..
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High shipping costs- initial imports are small quantities,
consolidation approach
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Reliance on oil revenues-economy subject to sharp swings
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Where to Start?
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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
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
[email protected]
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