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Figures released by Dubai Customs, in parallel with Gulfood 2016; the world’s largest annual food and hospitality trade show, showed a 4% hike in foodstuff foreign trade volumes, from AED 66 billion in the first 9 months of 2014 to AED 68.6 billion in the same period of 2015. During the same period, imports recorded a surplus of 2%, standing at AED 43.7 billion compared to a close AED 43 billion in the previous year. Exports also rose slightly to AED 10.2 billion, up by 3% from the AED 9.9 billion recorded through Q3 2014, while re-exports saw a 13% increase, from AED 12.9 billion to AED 14.6 billion.
Of the commodities traded, Rice was the most accounted for in Dubai’s foodstuff imports at AED 2.5 billion, followed closely by sugar at AED 2.1 billion and dairy at AED 1.7 billion. However with regard to exports, sugar was the most exported of all foodstuff at AED 1.3 billion, followed by chocolate & its products at AED 872 million and milk products at AED 586 million. Nuts, food ingredients and rice were the top re-exported food products, standing at AED 1.1 billion, AED 999 million and AED 911 million respectively.
“Dubai Customs looks forward to reinforcing Dubai’s foothold on the global trading landscape by further diversifying the texture of national economy, in line with the nationwide move towards securing the UAE for a post-oil future.
“Tailoring smart Customs services and facilitations to the foodstuffs trading industry is key to ensure easy and timely access of basic goods to local consumers and surrounding markets in keeping with the highest health and safety standards,” stated Ahmad Abdul Salam Kazim, Strategy and Corporate Excellence Director at Dubai Customs.
The 2016 edition of Gulfood, which will run between February 21 – 25, is set to welcome more than 5,000 international exhibitors from 120 countries at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). The show will feature 117 national and industry pavilions and is expected to attract 85,000-plus visitors from more than 170 countries including heads of state, ministers, government officials and national trade associations from five continents.
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