On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), GEFA Exportservice GmbH, in cooperation with the Delegation of German Industry & Commerce for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Yemen in Saudi Arabia and the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry and Commerce United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the association Food - Made in Germany e. V., is organizing a business trip on the topic of Food. The aim of the business trip is to initiate business, exchange experiences and deepen contacts with local companies and experts. 

When: November 17-21, 2024

Where: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Dubai, UAE 

The market at a glance

As the largest economic nation in the Middle East, one of the most important markets in the Gulf region and a large population of more than 30 million people with rising incomes, Saudi Arabia is an economically attractive market. The import of foodstuffs is of existential importance for Saudi Arabia, as the country is 95% desert, has hardly any cultivable land of its own and needs to meet a growing demand. Due to the high import rate of food (approx. 80%), food security is the focus of the Kingdom's "Vision 2030". The aim is to secure supply chains for staple foods by increasing local production and investing abroad. At the same time, the opening up of the country is contributing to an increased culture of eating out with a boom in restaurants, cafés and the convenience food industry.  

The UAE is Germany's most important trading partner in the region. Despite government efforts to stabilize prices and increase domestic production, the UAE is also dependent on food imports. The issue of food safety also plays an important role. The Emirati National Food Security Strategy 2051 offers great opportunities for bilateral cooperation. For companies interested in the Gulf region, the UAE offers very attractive conditions for setting up a regional distribution center. 

Market studies/ Country reports:

Further information :
www.agrarexportfoerderung.de/marktstudien/saudi-arabien and
https://www.agrarexportfoerderung.de/marktstudien/vereinigte-arabische-emirate

Informationen by BMEL: www.bmel.de/export; www.agrarexportfoerderung.de.