Dubai – Gulfood, the food industry exhibition in Dubai, is no longer a place in which for Brazilian beef exporters to sell only to the Middle East; it has evolved into a hub for selling to the whole world. So says the president of the Brazilian Beef Exporters Association (Abiec), Antônio Jorge Camardelli. The space organized by Abiec at the expo in partnership with the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) featured 15 meat packing companies from Brazil.
The Abiec president asserts that while the trade show used to be regarded as Arab-oriented, that’s no longer the case. “All sorts of things on sale, you can find anything,” he told ANBA. Indeed, during the event’s five days, there were Arabs from the Gulf and from Africa, Indians, Pakistanis, Iranians, and even Chinese and Russians strolling, discussing deals and buying at the Brazilian stands. “The exhibition was wonderful,” says Camardelli.
The meat packers joined Gulfood at a time when Arab markets are making strong purchases from Brazil. In January, 2,400 tons of beef were sold from Brazil to the UAE, the highest amount in two years. Saudi Arabia, another major buyer of Brazilian beef in the region, purchased 3,900 tons in January, matching pre-ban levels – a Saudi embargo on Brazilian beef was in place from 2012 until late 2015.
Industry sales to all Arab countries fetched USD 110.7 million in January, up 15% from USD 96.2 million in January 2016, Abiec numbers show. Shipped amount climbed 0.5% from 28,200 to 29,800 tons. Egypt tops the list of Arab importers of Brazilian beef; it purchased 6.400 tons in January.
Arab countries buy mostly forequarter cuts. Brazilian meat packers need buyers for all parts of cattle, and each country has its preferences. Camardelli remarks that sales from Brazil to Arab countries are helped by the fact that trade is done in a 100% efficient way. “Whenever a fellow makes a purchase, we’ll sell the product the way he wants it, then we get paid, no problems involved,” he says.
On the top floor of Abiec’s two-story Gulfood stand, visitors were treated to samples of Brazilian beef cuts. That drew in lots of importers throughout the event. On Monday (27), the association hosted a press conference for Arab journalists in order to discuss the beef industry. The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce was a partner for the conference. Abiec is still in the process of planning out its actions targeting the Arab market in 2017.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
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