Four New Zealand dairy producers will come together to form a dairy lounge at the New Zealand pavilion at Gulfood 2016, which takes place at the World Trade Centre, Dubai on Feb. 21-25. New Zealand's dairy lounge will provide Saudi Arabian visitors with an excellent opportunity to network with a number of New Zealand's leading dairy exporters, including BODCO, Fonterra Co-operative Group, Goodman Fielder and Open Country Dairy, at a time when dairy exports to the Kingdom have reached US$288 million in the year ending June 2015. During the past 10 years New Zealand has nearly doubled its exportation of dairy products to Saudi Arabia, with milk and cheese proving to be the largest dairy sector export at US$186 million in the past year. Haylon Smith, New Zealand Trade Commissioner – Middle East, Africa and Pakistan said: "We view Saudi Arabia as one of our most important trading partners and see great potential in the dairy market in particular. New Zealand exports 95% of its dairy production which means that we can comfortably support the demand for milk-based products in Saudi Arabia. "We are aware that many of our key partners from KSA will visit Gulfood and we look forward to welcoming them to the New Zealand pavilion at R-146, Sheikh Rashid Hall. We see Gulfood as an excellent platform to meet key industry contacts and buyers in the region, and the event will raise visibility of New Zealand's premium food and beverage products." Other key industries exhibiting on the New Zealand pavilion include beef and lamb, venison, poultry, fruit, and bakery. A tasting kitchen on the stand run by Chef Tomas Reger is a focal point of the pavilion and will allow Gulfood visitors to sample some of New Zealand's finest produce from its most prestigious producers and suppliers. Companies exhibiting at the New Zealand pavilion include ANZCO Foods Ltd, Firstlight Foods, Garra International Ltd, GreenMount Foods Ltd, Rockit Trading Company, Silver Fern Farms, Tegel Foods Ltd, Van Dyck Fine Foods Ltd and Yarrows the Bakers (2011) Ltd. New Zealand accounts for one third of global dairy trade, exporting US$11.2 billion worth of dairy products in 2015. It is also the largest exporter of lamb and a major supplier of beef, kiwifruit, apples and seafood to international markets. New Zealand has seen a 73% increase in the export of food and beverage products between 2006 and 2015, rising from US$10.5 billion to US$18.25 billion.
