September 8, 2021
2 mins read

Dubai’s food and beverage trade with Africa nears $14bn

Dubai’s food and beverage trade with Africa accounted for around 13% of the emirate’s total trade volume with the continent…reports Asian Lite News

Dubai’s food and beverage (F&B) trade, excluding tobacco, reached US$13.9 billion during the 2015-2020 period, while the sector has been identified as a key factor expected to drive bilateral trade in the short-term, new Dubai Chamber analysis has revealed.

In 2020, the value of food and beverage trade (excluding tobacco) between Dubai and Africa amounted to US$2.4 billion in food and beverage trade, marking a growth rate of 18 percent compared to the previous year and the highest level since 2017.

Dubai’s food and beverage trade with Africa accounted for around 13% of the emirate’s total trade volume with the continent, over the same period, excluding trade in gold, jewellery and precious stones. Dubai’s exports in this category amounted to 31 percent of the trade volume, and re-exports represented 23 percent.

The analysis was released in the lead up to the 6th Global Business Forum Africa, organised by Dubai Chamber in partnership with Expo 2020 Dubai. The study highlighted Dubai-Africa F&B bilateral trade trends by region, as well as the potential avenues for future cooperation.

In 2020, North Africa accounted for the largest share of Dubai-Africa F&B trade, reaching a value of $971.2 million, followed by East Africa ($828.3 million). Southern Africa ranked third among Dubai’s largest food and beverage trading partners, with a total value of $362.9 million.

According the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) data, Africa registered a negative trade balance of $20.1 billion in F&B products with the world, and this trend was most prevalent in North, Middle, and Western Africa, indicating sizeable business opportunities in those regions.

Port of Dubai Emirate, located on Jebel Ali district.(wikipedia)

The study concluded with a positive outlook for Dubai-Africa F&B bilateral trade, given Africa’s expanding urban F&B market, which offers vast opportunities for Dubai investors in warehousing and cold storage for agricultural outputs, farm equipment, transport, and repair services, among others.

GBF Africa 2021 will be organised at Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo 2020 Dubai under the theme Transformation Through Trade, with the forum bringing government and business leaders from the UAE, Africa and other markets together to explore new prospects for economic cooperation and investment opportunities in promising African markets.

As the Official Business Integration Partner for Expo 2020 Dubai, Dubai Chamber is organising several high-level business fora at the mega event, with the 6th GBF Africa taking place 13-14th October, at Expo 2020 Dubai, followed by the inaugural GBF ASEAN and the 4th GBF Latin America.

ALSO READ: UAE welcomes 41 Afghans on humanitarian grounds

Previous Story

India Knowledge Consortium (INK) organises international academic conference

Next Story

Taliban won’t allow Afghan women to play sport

Latest from -Top News

Trump confident of annexing Greenland

Speaking to reporters during a meeting with Rutte at the White House, Trump said the US needs Greenland for “international security” and hinted at future discussions on the matter President Donald Trump

US condemns Jaffar Express attack, vows support

Lt Gen Sharif Chaudhry, Pakistan’s military spokesperson, confirmed the completion of the operation, stating that all 33 militants involved had been killed The United States has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on

France stands firm against US tariff threats

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen defended the EU’s decision, stating that it was necessary to protect European consumers and businesses from US trade measures France and its European partners will
Go toTop

Don't Miss

UAE warns against Israel launching opes in Rafah

The Ministry reaffirmed the UAE’s position, calling for a return

India to announce new policy to boost tourism

The Tourism Week at India Pavilion is being held from