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Spotlight on Dubai

5-14-2025

Big Picture Report: May 2025
Bernadette Wiltz-Lang, SUSTA

In February, 20 small businesses from the Southern-region exhibited in the SUSTA pavilion at Gulfood. This trade show, which is held annually in Dubai, is easily the biggest food and beverage trade show in the Middle East and is one of SUSTA’s most popular events each year. Looking at the 20 surveys we received, it is easy to see why.

Most deals are not inked on the trade show floor, but rather in the months following the show. At Gulfood though, it is not unusual for us to see sales happening. This year, our companies reported over $5 million, and their projected sales are over $90 million!

According to the most recent Exporter Guide (GAIN Report), the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the second largest economy in the Arab world after Saudi Arabia, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of $536.83 billion and a projected growth rate of 4 percent in 2024. Foreign nationals comprise almost 90 percent. Approximately 80 percent of the UAE’s agricultural products are imported. In 2023, the United States exported $1.28 billion in agricultural and related products to the UAE, making it the second-largest export market for U.S. agricultural products in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Next year, in addition to Gulfood, SUSTA hopes to have a consultant in the UAE to offer even more support to our southern region exporters.