Manning the USA Rice booth (from left): Mark Holt, Sabrina Schuhmacher, Eszter Somogyi, and Todd Burich
Feb 23, 2023
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – The 27th Gulfood Show, the world's largest food, beverage, and hospitality exhibition began Monday, bringing together traders and foodservice professionals from all over the world. More than five thousand exhibitors from 125 countries are participating this year, a record, and more than 90,000 visitors are expected to attend.
USA Rice is exhibiting for the nineteenth time at the show and members from American Commodity Company, Archer Daniels Midland, Riceland Foods, and TRC Trading Corporation traveled here to participate.
“Gulfood is an invaluable opportunity for the U.S. rice industry,” said Sabrina Schuhmacher, director for marketing at American Commodity Company. “Our presence here allows us to connect and reconnect with potential and existing customers from around the globe. We gain market insights firsthand for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) as well as other regions that directly impact the U.S. market.”
Running parallel to the trade show is the Gulfood Inspire Conference, a showcase for representatives of the diverse food and beverage industry – entrepreneurs, culinary professionals, and business leaders – to examine current topics and trends driving innovation in the global hospitality world.
Mark Holt, Riceland Foods vice president of sales and chair of the USA Rice Europe, Middle East and Africa Promotion and Trade Policy Subcommittees, was part of an “Inspire” panel discussing improving and assuring the international food and beverage trade. Holt shared information about the long-time presence of U.S.-origin rice in the region as well as the U.S. industry’s historic commitment to conservation and sustainability.
“Dubai is truly a melting pot, bringing together people in the global food industry to share information and knowledge in today’s fast moving market environment,” said Holt. “It was great to be part of the conference and join this conversation, and share all the great work our industry is doing to deliver high quality U.S. rice to our customers in the region.“
Gulfood 2023 continues through Friday, February 24.