A total of 22 US companies are representing a broad swath of US dairy resources at the ongoing Gulfood, the world's largest annual food, beverage and hospitality exhibition in Dubai, UAE.

The event runs until February 21 at Dubai World Trade Centre.

The Middle East, particularly the UAE, is a key market for US Dairy, with a rapidly growing population that is interested in high-end products and a conducive business environment that is open to trade. US dairy products exported to the Middle East, Morocco and Egypt from January-November 2018 amounted to 62,882 MT worth around $224 million.

Beyond the large presence at Gulfood, the US Dairy Export Council (USDEC) has ongoing programming to further support US cheese entry into key retailers across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait. The multifaceted retail program builds on product education and merchandising training for buyers and store staff as well as sampling support to encourage consumer trial.

With more than 600 varieties of US cheeses, the region can benefit from the infusion of many new cheeses and award-winning popular choices as well. USDEC also launched a cheese certification program to educate chefs about the craftsmanship, variety, innovation and versatility of US cheese and grow demand within the foodservice sector.

Angélique Hollister, vice president, Cheese Marketing said, “Milk from 1 in 7 trucks leaving American dairy farms ends up in products and ingredients sold overseas, making serving export markets an ever-important area of focus for our industry. We are meeting the evolving needs of the region’s dairy demand by establishing partnerships with retailers, high-end foodservice entities, culinary institutes and universities.”

Economic growth in the Mena region is forecast to reach an average of 2.6 percent in 2019-2020 supporting imports of dairy products. Mena] will account for as much as 24 per cent of world dairy imports in 2027. The US dairy community is increasing engagement and visibility in the Mena region of both cheese and ingredients to benefit the region’s vibrant business success. – TradeArabia News Service

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