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Dubai / Emirates Business
With imports totalling $452,280,000, the UAE is one of the largest importers of French produce to Middle East, as revealed by French trade agency.
UAE residents have been invited to re-discover the diversity, quality and taste of some of France’s most famous brands in a month long partnership with Carrefour.
“As tastes evolve and become more sophisticated, so does the demand for quality products and ingredients. That is particularly true in the UAE where we have witnessed a 50% increase in demand for French F&B since 2010,†said Edwina Salvatori, Managing Director at Sopexa.
Globally, France exports over $65 billion worth of food, making it the sixth largest exporter of produce in the world. The Middle East represented $2.2 billion with Saudi Arabia and the UAE accounting for the majority, followed by Egypt and Lebanon.
The most popular products being imported from France include beverages (30%), dairy (16%) and fruits (9%).
“Primarily, this is down to the number of new luxury hotels and top independent restaurants opening, running in parallel with increased retail demand. Indeed, we strongly believe that there is great opportunity for French produce right across the Middle East,†said Edwina Salvatori, Managing Director at Sopexa – international food communication and marketing agency.
As part of the celebration, a workshop for bloggers was led by the executive chef of Alserkal Avenue’s Inked, Hadrien Villedieu, offering a special Christmas menu using only French produce.
“The French culinary scene has been blessed with some of the world’s greatest chefs. The respect for our culture, our ingredients, our tradition and of course our techniques, has helped to ensure that the demand not only in the Middle East but globally, continues to blossom,†added Salvatori.