GULFOOD PREVIEW
35
HIGH TURN-OUT
FOR FRANCE AT
GULFOOD 2018
national pavilions including first-time
participants from as far afield as Estonia,
Serbia and Slovakia. The show will also see
hundreds of international heads of state,
ministers, government officials and scores of
national trade associations eager to ink
lucrative bi-lateral trade agreements among tens
of thousands of anticipated visitors.
Gulfood 2018 will also see the return of
perennial features including Halal World Food,
the world's largest annual Halal food sourcing
trade show; the annual Emirates Culinary Guild
International Salon Culinaire; the world's
largest single-entry chef competition; and the
Gulfood Innovation Awards, which recognise
best-in-class excellence and innovation across
the region's food and drink industry.
Gulfood 2018 is a trade event open strictly
to business and trade visitors. The show is open
11am-7pm from February 18 - 21 and 11am-
5pm on February 22. Visitors can pre-register
for AED250 (USD68) at www.gulfood.com to
save AED150 (USD40) on the on-site entry fee
of AED400 (USD108).
JANUARY - MARCH 2018
Business France, the national agency supporting the international
development of the French economy, will be running 4 French
pavilions at Gulfood this year. This trade show devoted to new
F&B products will feature around 70 French companies, all
eager to present their latest offerings and know-how.
France renews a strong participation at the Gulfood this year,
highlighting the latest French products on a surface area of
800m 2 across four halls: fine food in the world food section in
Sheikh Saeed Hall; dairy products in Hall 1; meat and poultry in
Hall 3; drinks in Za'Abeel Hall.
For the first time at Gulfood, visitors will be able to discover a
live cooking show provided by Cordon Bleu, the world
renowned French Culinary Arts and Hotel Management institute,
it will be held the whole week in Sheikh Saeed Hall and
undertaken by the select Chefs Nicolas Houchet and Emil Minev.
The role of Le Cordon Bleu is to teach a whole range of
technical and University training programmes for working in
the restaurant, hotel and tourism industry since 1895. Le
Cordon Bleu's teaching method is based on practical
learning with demonstrations and practical classes. The
institute is developing its network year after year attracting
100 nationalities across the campuses. Le Cordon Bleu has a
presence in the Middle East, with two institutes in Lebanon,
awaiting other expansions in the region.
France is a major player in numerous segments, including
dairies, fruits, vegetables, meat, and products for bakery to
name just a few, agri-food products combine quality and
excellence to cater closely to the requirements of consumers
in the region.
Marc Cagnard, Business France Director in the Middle
East stated: “Agri-food is France's largest industry sector in
terms of both revenue and jobs. By 2040, the global
population is likely to be approaching 9 billion and the
French agri-food market is estimated to be growing by an
average of 4% a year, with health food alone set to grow
2.5% a year over the next three years.”
France is the 6th largest exporter worldwide with USD 65
billion. The Middle East region boasts a market share of more
than 3,4% for French food exports which represents a value of
2.2 billion USD. The two first partners in the area are Saudi
Arabia and UAE, making both a value of 1.1 billion USD. They
are followed by Egypt and Lebanon.
FOOD BUSINESS GULF & MIDDLE EAST