DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – The
30th Gulfood Show, the world's largest food, beverage, and hospitality exhibition began here on Monday, bringing together traders and foodservice professionals from all over the world. More than 5,500 exhibitors from 129 countries were represented this year, and an estimated 150,000 visitors are expected to attend the weeklong show and its eight sectors including grains, pulses, beverages, dairy, and world food.
USA Rice exhibited at Gulfood for the twenty-first time and members from American Commodity Company, Archer Daniels Midland, Farmers Rice Cooperative, Sun Valley Rice, Sunwest Foods, and TRC Trading traveled here to participate.
“Gulfood has become the number one global food show to attend and rice is a major staple used in local dishes all over the region, so our presence here is important to show our commitment to these markets as a quality supplier," said Derek Alarcon, director of sales and marketing at Farmers Rice Cooperative and chair of the USA Rice Europe, Middle East, and Africa Trade Policy Subcommittee.
Throughout the week, participating members and staff were able to engage with potential and existing customers from around the globe, and USA Rice staff will share trade leads collected during the show with membership.
The Middle East Area is an important export destination for several U.S. rice types including medium grain varieties mostly to Jordan and the West Bank, as well as different forms of long grain to Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE, and others.