Victoria’s world-class produce will be showcased to an international audience this week in the Middle East as more than 25 leading food and beverage companies continue a growing presence in the global food market.

Consumer Affairs and Suburban Development Minister Marlene Kairouz today officially opened the Victorian Government stand at Gulfood, Dubai which attracts up to 100,000 visitors across five days.

Gulfood is the world’s largest annual food and hospitality trade show and is particularly important for Victoria, with our food and fibre exports to the Middle East and North Africa worth $1.1 billion in 2018-19.

The UAE market represents 30 per cent of Victoria’s food and fibre exports to the region with meat, grain, dairy and processed foods Victoria’s highest value exports.

In 2018/19 Victorian exports showing the greatest growth included meat (up 8 per cent) and seafood (up 41 per cent).

The major trade event is a vital opportunity to show that despite the recent bushfires, Victoria is open for business and trading partners can continue to have confidence in the quality and safety of Australian agriculture and food exports.

The Andrews Labor Government’s ongoing support of Victorian companies is part of its ambitious target to grow global food and fibre exports to $20 billion by 2030.

This includes the launch of Global Table – the largest food and business event ever staged in Victoria which received more than 3,000 visitors over the three-day event in 2019.

Global Table is part of the Labor Government’s $15 million Taste Victoria initiative which is helping Victoria grow its presence in the global food market and capture future export opportunities.