Beef and lamb exporters from the UK met with key buyers from the United Arab Emirates to explore opportunities to increase trade to the Middle East.
Six importers from the UAE joined AHDB for a three-day trade mission in the UK, to learn more about our red meat sectors and see how exporters can meet the needs of the region’s rapidly growing halal sector.
The event included farm visits, a tour of an abattoir and a meat processing site, as well as a visit to London’s Borough Market. The visit concluded with a reception at Butchers Hall in London where the delegation had the chance to meet with levy payers and explore new business opportunities.
Supported by the Department of International Trade (DIT), the aim of the visit was to help exporters in the UK access new markets in the Middle East, where imports of beef and lamb continues to rise.
AHDB Senior Halal Sector Manager Dr Awal Fuseini said: “The UAE is becoming an increasingly important market for our exporters, and we are keen to maximise on the many opportunities this region presents.
“The visit was organised to not only showcase the high production standards here in the UK, but to facilitate valuable face-to-face meetings between key buyers from the UAE and our beef and lamb exporters to boost trade in this valuable market.”
The inward mission follows an AHDB-led mission to the UAE last November. Five beef and lamb exporters from the UK joined the three-day mission to gain a greater understanding of the region and the needs of its consumers.
AHDB International Market Development Director Dr Phil Hadley said: “One of AHDB’s strategic objectives is to identify new markets for our exporters and work with government and levy payers to create further opportunities for our red meat sectors.
“By hosting this mission, and others like it, we are able to make valuable connections with key buyers in these important markets and help bring a much-needed boost to our levy payers.”
AHDB will be returning to Gulfood in Dubai, in February 2023, with red meat and dairy exporters from the UK to showcase their high-quality products to thousands of potential buyers from around the world.
