Australia's food bowl prepares to bring 70 Victorian companies to Gulfood as the Middle East's appetite for Victorian produce continues to ripen

19 February 2013 - Dubai, UAE: Victoria's A$1 billion food and beverage exports to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is expected to grow even further as the State prepares to showcase its top companies during Australia's largest ever trade mission to the region.

The high quality food and beverage from Victoria, Australia's largest food exporter, will be on display next week at Gulfood, which this year has attracted 70 of the State's leading food and beverage companies, an increase from 20 businesses who participated in 2011.  

The MENA region is one of Victoria's largest export markets for food and beverage, importing more than many of its South East Asian neighbours, and significantly more than India.  From June 2011 to June 2012, Victoria's food and beverage exports to MENA were just under A$1 billion, an increase of 12 per cent on the previous year, with the dairy and wheat industries seeing particularly strong growth. 

Victoria is Australia's food bowl, known around the world for its high quality food. The State's dairy industry represents approximately 10 per cent of world dairy trade, whilst its meat companies operate under the strictest regulations in the world and are at the forefront of sustainable practices.

The largest MENA markets for Victorian food and beverage industries are:

  • Beef - UAE (A$15 million)

  • Meat (excluding beef) - UAE (A$71 million)

  • Milk, cream, whey & yoghurt - Oman (A$60 million)

  • Butter - Iran (A$14 million)

  • Cheese and curd - Saudi Arabia (A$17 million)

  • Wheat - Yemen (A$67 million)

  • Vegetables - Egypt (A$28 million)

Gulfood is recognised as the Middle East's largest and most important food, drink, food service and hospitality exhibition, and takes place annually at the Dubai World Trade Centre.  The attending Victorian companies will showcase the best the State has to offer whilst conducting meetings with buyers and sharing knowledge and ideas with industry leaders.

The Gulfood delegation is being led by The Honourable Louise Asher MP, Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business and Minister for Tourism and Major Events. Also accompanying the delegation is The Honourable Peter Walsh MP, Minister for Agriculture, Food Security and Minister for Water.   

"The GCC is one of the world's greatest food importers and Victoria, known for our high quality, safe and reliable food and beverage, is well placed to meet the demands of its rapid growth," said Minister Asher. 

"In February 2012, I led a Super Trade Mission to the Middle East that resulted in immediate sales of A$18 million and projected exports to the region of up to A$240 million over two years. We've been very encouraged by this success, and I am proud to be leading a new and larger mission with a significant part of this delegation coming from the food and beverage industry. 

"The Victorian Government has a long-standing and fast growing trade relationship with the MENA region and our presence at Gulfood has grown year on year - from 20 only two years ago to 70 this year.   This speaks for the significant opportunities our exporters are seeing in the region, as well as the immense value the exhibition delivers to companies.  

"The companies exhibiting at Gulfood this year reflect the quality and sustainability of Victoria's food industry, and showcases the diverse range of goods and services on offer for the MENA region."

In addition to participating at Gulfood 2013, the Victorian Government is leading Australia's largest ever delegation of companies to the UAE and to Turkey.  Over 170 companies will be participating in this Super Trade Mission, which forms part of the Victorian Government's A$50 million International Engagement Strategy.

The Victorian Government has identified the region as a priority trade market, with significant opportunities in food, tourism, agribusiness, water, equine, infrastructure, defence, higher education, vocational education and marine industries.

Victorian Government Stand at Gulfood

Senior members of the Victorian Government will be available for interviews with media at Gulfood. We will also have interviews / briefings available with senior representatives from Victorian food & beverage companies, industry fact sheets and media packs including images.

The State Government of Victoria will be exhibiting at Gulfood  in the Australian Pavilion, Victorian Government Stand, Stand Number E6 - 46, Hall 6, Dubai World Trade Centre.

About The Victorian Government Business Office (VGBO)
Established in 1997, the Victorian Government Business Office, Dubai (VGBO) is operated by the State Government of Victoria to help promote Victorian trade and investment in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Through a variety of programmes and business initiatives, the VGBO assists Victorian exporters and provides assistance to Middle East and North African regional companies and organisations to source products and services, business introductions and investment opportunities with Victoria.

For more information visit www.invest.vic.gov.au

Contact:
Elisabeth Middlemas
Senior Account Manager
Four Communications
Mob: +971 (0) 55 563 0212
Email: elisabeth.middlemas@fourcommunications.com

John Rynehart
Director
Four Communications
Mob: +971 (0) 55 980 6679
Email: john.rynehart@fourcommunications.com 

© Press Release 2013