Dubai’s food and beverage trade with Africa reaches US$13.9 billion during 2015-2020 – Dubai Blog

New analysis by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce shows that Dubai’s food and beverage trade (excluding tobacco) reached USD 13.9 billion between 2015 and 2020, and the industry has been identified as a key factor that is expected to promote bilateral trade in the short term.

In 2020, the food and beverage trade (excluding tobacco) between Dubai and Africa reached US$2.4 billion, an increase of 18% year-on-year, the highest level since 2017.

During the same period, the food and beverage trade between Dubai and Africa accounted for about 13% of the total trade between the emirate and the African continent, excluding trade in gold, jewellery and gemstones. Dubai’s exports in this category accounted for 31% of trade volume, and re-exports accounted for 23%.

The analysis was published before the 6th^day The Africa Global Business Forum organized by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with Expo 2020 Dubai. The study highlights the Dubai-Africa bilateral catering trade trends and potential ways for future cooperation.

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

According to data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the trade deficit of catering products between Africa and the world is US$20.1 billion. This trend is most common in North Africa, Central Africa and West Africa, indicating that these regions have considerable business opportunities.

In view of the expanding urban catering market in Africa, the study concluded that the Dubai-African catering bilateral trade has an optimistic outlook, which provides huge opportunities for Dubai investors in agricultural storage and cold storage, agricultural equipment, transportation and maintenance services.

GBF Africa 2021 will be held at the Dubai Exhibition Center, Expo 2020 Dubai, with the theme Trade transformation, The forum brings together government and business leaders from the UAE, Africa and other markets to jointly explore new prospects for economic cooperation and investment opportunities in the promising African market.

As the official business integration partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce will organize a number of high-level business forums at this event, including 6^day GBF Africa will be held from October 13th to 14th^day, 2021 will be held at the 2020 Dubai World Expo, followed by the first GBF ASEAN and 4^day GBF Latin America.