Published: August 19th, 2020
Food and drink producers from across the Marches are being invited to join a virtual meet the buyer event – which could lead to a visit to the world’s largest food event.
The Department for International Trade wants to hear from any food and drink company in the region interested in its virtual mission in November and a visit to Gulfood 21 in Dubai next February.
A spokesman for DIT said the virtual meet the buyer event was the ideal first step for businesses wanting to grow their sales.
The department wants to hear from business operating in the following categories:
- Premium Grocery category
- Health & Wellness
- Free From
- Fortified Products
The virtual event includes:
- Mission Briefing in the UK
- Food & Drink UAE Market Update
- Mind of the Buyer Webinar
- Inclusion of your products into sample hampers for interested buyers (companies are responsible for the cost of sending items to the UK Great British Food Platform HQ for inclusion in a hamper)
- Meet the Buyer – 1:1 call week
The spokesman said: "Food and Drink is a huge sector in the UAE – the COVID-19 pandemic has boosted online grocery searches by 560% in the UAE and total food and drink sales are projected to grow by 6.9% to £29.5 billion."
Interested companies should visit https://www.events.great.gov.uk/ereg/newreg.php?eventid=200209784&& to start the ball rolling.
Experts from DIT are also planning to take a group of Midlands food and drink businesses to Gulfood in February 2021.
The spokesman added: "After taking part in the virtual event you will have the opportunity to join the trade visit. A commitment fee of £100 will be required but all eligible businesses will receive a grant of £565 to offset this cost and contribute towards flights and accommodation and the entry fee to the show."
Gulfood is staged from February 21 -25 and the trade mission will include:
‘· Market Update in the UK
‘· Mission Reception in Dubai
‘· Meet the Buyer event in Dubai
‘· Attendance at Gulfood 2021
‘· Retail store visits