Scotland’s food and drink scene is the envy of the world. Beautiful fertile land, clean air and clear waters lead to a harvest of the most natural and healthy ingredients. The food and drink sector in Scotland has a turnover of more than £15 billion annually – making it Scotland’s largest export sector, with exports reaching to more than 200 countries globally.
Scotland exported over £313 million of food and drink to the Middle East and North Africa MENA region in 2017, out of which £183 million was just to the Gulf Cooperation Council GCC. The Gulfood exhibition provides a fantastic platform for Scottish companies to exhibit their products and meet with UAE and Middle East buyers, which enables them to build and strengthen their relationships with key food and drink contacts in this region.
A total of 22 Scottish brands will be showcased during Gulfood 2020, of which nine will also be exhibiting on Scotland’s Gulfood stand. F&B buyers from the Middle East will be invited to sample some of the finest produce that Scotland has to offer and meet with Scottish suppliers face to face on 18th February at the exclusive Scottish Product Showcase event held at the prestigious Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel in Dubai.
Scotland’s international trade agency, Scottish Development International SDI has organised a range of activities for the visiting Scottish companies at Gulfood, which includes various meet the buyer events, introductions to key local food and drink contacts, visits to offices of UAE importers and an opportunity to network with retailers, food service distributors and importers at the Scottish Product Showcase event.
Scotland will be showcasing a range of innovative Scottish food and drink products at Gulfood this year. People will get to try some non-alcoholic whisky and gin from Spirits of Virtue finalist for the World Beverage Innovation Awards 2019, experience plant-based food services packaging from Vegware winner at Sustainable Food Awards 2019, British Renewable Energy Awards 2018 and others, sample a variety of artisanal bakery products from Stag Bakery winner at Scottish Bakers of the Year Awards 2019 and much more. To meet with all of these and other fantastic Scottish brands, visit the Scottish Pavilion at Gulfood, which is located at the World Food Hall in Sheikh Saeed Hall; stand number SL-34.
Scotland has also begun preparations for Expo 2020 Dubai. Visitors to the UK pavilion at Expo 2020, which runs from October 2020 to April 2021, will be able to experience the best of Scottish food and drink. To learn more about Scotland’s Business Programme at this mega international event, follow @ScotExpo2020.