Food and drink firms to showcase products in Middle East

Independent food and drink companies across the UK will be showcasing their products to consumers in Dubai during a Made in Britain’ promotion from 25November to 9 December.

As part of a project organised by the Department for International Trade, the Food is GREAT campaign and Santander, in conjunction with The Great British Food Programme, businesses will connect with potential customers through the Al Maya Group retailer.

Santander and The Great British Food Programme delivered by Business West, DIT’s regional delivery partner in the South West of England, aims to connect UK food and drink producers with a host of international buyers who are hungry to buy high quality British produce.

Al Maya Group specialise in fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and have over 90 retail stores in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The opportunity will offer businesses a launch pad into exporting and educate producers about the process and requirements involved when selling to the market. Al Maya will take stock of volumes sold by the end of the promotion for consideration for future trade relationships.

According tothe Food & Drink Federation2, UK food and drink businesses exported £80m worth of products to the country in the first quarter of 2020, a 7% increase on the same period in2019. Total spending on food and drink in the UAE is forecast to rise 6.9% to £29.7bn in 2020.3

TruffleHunter, producer of award-winning Truffle products based in South Cerney in Gloucestershire, is showcasing its product during the week. Commenting on the opportunity, John Gregson Sales Director for the company, comments: “TruffleHunter is very excited to be working with Al Maya. This will be the first time that our products have been sold in the UAE and we are delighted to be partnering with a business of Al Maya’s size and prestige.”