As shown by the report issued by Business Monitor International (BMI) in 2013, the agribusiness market in the UAE is booming, especially thanks to the recent substantial growth of the tourism industry and of the catering sector, which in recent years has contributed in a decisive way to the strong increase in demand for Italian food products in the UAE. Although the agribusiness industry in Italy was partially affected by the general economic crisis occurred between 2008 and 2009, in 2010 export towards the Gulf States registered an increase of 15.4% compared to the previous year and a 29.1% increase in 2011. In its most recent survey, the Economist Intelligence Unit estimates a sectoral growth of 5.5 billion USD for 2015, with the aim of ensuring, by 2020, a potential import volume amounting to 8.4 billion USD (ICE – Italian Trade Promotion Agency Report data 2014).
As for Italian exports, the products coming from our country are recognized and appreciated especially for their high quality. In 2013, the sector experienced a positive trend, recording in the first months of the year a 20.9%, increase compared to 2012. Undoubtedly, pasta is the main imported Italian food product. The dependence on impor-tation of fruit and vegetables has gradually declined over the years, as a result of the cor-responding increase in domestic production. Ne-vertheless, among the products that best meet the demand of the local market, it is worth mentioning the production of kiwi, the supply of which amounts to almost 42% of the total value of the category.
The local distri-bution system is highly advanced thanks to the existence of well-equipped facilities. The big stores usually act as importers of products that are then sold directly to other smaller sales points throughout the Federation. There are many Italian initiatives dedicated to the promotion of the “food made in Italy” sector in the UAE. In this regard, let us remember that the outreach activities carried out by the ICE local office provides, among the many initiatives of 2014, also for the realization of a series of events dedicated to the agri-food industry, including the Speciality Food Festival 2014, which was held in Dubai between the 9th and the 11th of November, 2014. The 2013 edition of the event was visited by 12,285 buyers from 98 countries, with more than 110 participating com-panies, representing 30 nations.
(Bologna Office – Linda Tontodonati – 051 2750020)
