February 27, 2008

France seeks to boost exports via Gulfood

France is set to boost its agricultural exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by seeking to impress in Gulfood, UAE's food convention.

The Middle East is one of the France's biggest agricultural products importers, said SOPEXA, the French Food Marketing Board.

French food exports to the UAE amounted to US$236 million in 2006, with dairy and poultry products also bringing in US$26 million and US$19 million respectively, according to SOPEXA.

To develop crucial opportunities in UAE for French food products, the country's pavilion in the conference is twice as large than in 2006.

Meanwhile, France's poultry and dairy products sections have taken part actively in the convention's food safety and culinary sections, which according to Eric Stantier, managing director of SOPEXA, proves that France's agriculture industry wants to contribute positively to current food safety issues.

"Gulfood is an influential business development platform and provides great access for rance to the Middle East's food market," said Santier.