Dozens of organic pomegranates,
apples, saffron, melons, dried fruit, and nuts produced by more than 20 Afghan
companies were on display on Sunday in Dubai, as the Middle East’s biggest
annual food exhibition opened its doors.
The Gulfood exhibition, which runs from February 23 - 27 February, showcases varieties of businesses and products. Gulfood, which was founded 27 years ago, had attracted 4,000 companies and more than 77,000 attendees in 2013.
Afghan agri-businesses supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have participated in Gulfood since 2011. Afghan growers and food manufacturers have struck deals worth millions of dollars at the Dubai exhibition, resulting in opening the door of new markets for Afghan products in Saudi Arabia, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Expressing her joy on the food exhibition, Kamila Sediqi an Afghan businesswoman, said, “Gulfood was an excellent experience last year. I got a lot of contracts last year, and I am hoping to get even more this year. There is a lot of interest in Afghan produce.”
Having received good reviews on her products at the Dubai food festival, Afghanistan hopes to increase her market share for high-end products too. Earlier, Afghan saffron won first prize at the International Saffron Exhibition in France in 2012. International traders said the profit potential in Afghan-produced apples, pomegranates, dried fruits and juices is remarkable.
Commenting about the Afghan food products, an Indian buyer AbheyMisra said, “There is a huge market in the Indian sub-continent, Southeast Asia, and the United Arab Emirates for Afghan produce. Afghanistan has improved quality and packaging. It has a good reputation and is known as 100 percent organic.”
Agriculture is the backbone of Afghanistan’s economy. Nearly 70 percent of Afghan population is dependent on farming and livestock. Agriculture makes up 25 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.
The Gulfood exhibition, which runs from February 23 - 27 February, showcases varieties of businesses and products. Gulfood, which was founded 27 years ago, had attracted 4,000 companies and more than 77,000 attendees in 2013.
Afghan agri-businesses supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have participated in Gulfood since 2011. Afghan growers and food manufacturers have struck deals worth millions of dollars at the Dubai exhibition, resulting in opening the door of new markets for Afghan products in Saudi Arabia, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Expressing her joy on the food exhibition, Kamila Sediqi an Afghan businesswoman, said, “Gulfood was an excellent experience last year. I got a lot of contracts last year, and I am hoping to get even more this year. There is a lot of interest in Afghan produce.”
Having received good reviews on her products at the Dubai food festival, Afghanistan hopes to increase her market share for high-end products too. Earlier, Afghan saffron won first prize at the International Saffron Exhibition in France in 2012. International traders said the profit potential in Afghan-produced apples, pomegranates, dried fruits and juices is remarkable.
Commenting about the Afghan food products, an Indian buyer AbheyMisra said, “There is a huge market in the Indian sub-continent, Southeast Asia, and the United Arab Emirates for Afghan produce. Afghanistan has improved quality and packaging. It has a good reputation and is known as 100 percent organic.”
Agriculture is the backbone of Afghanistan’s economy. Nearly 70 percent of Afghan population is dependent on farming and livestock. Agriculture makes up 25 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.
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