Page 28 - ABFI March 19 issue

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surrounding the specifics of stable access it provides to reach a population of 2 billion AlMheiri also pointed to
tariff hikes for commodity emerging markets - now by 2030, according to the the UAE’s development in the
and specialty food products, carries increased global 2019 Gulfood Global Industry agritech sector, with a unified
Gulfood provided reasons for significance for British food Outlook. agritech licence and a national
optimism. producers. Led by a high-profile trio sustainable agritech code,
“We are throwing the net ‘Everyone’ also includes a comprising Her Excellency adding such developments to
out as widely as possible,” British-born opponent to the Mariam bint Mohammed enhance agribusiness could
said Henry Openshaw, Export traditional meat industry: The AlMheiri, UAE Minister of secure a win-win for all with
Director, Grandma Singletons Meatless Farm Company, a State for Food Security; Sergey countries pooling resources
– a fifth generation, family- plant-based meat alternatives Levin, Deputy Minister together to combat hunger.
run cheesemaker based in the company which has signed a of Agriculture, Russian Farmers and technology in
North West of England. listing agreement with UAE- Federation; and Micheal focus
As the UK’s end-of-March based supermarket chain, Werikhe Kafabusa, Minister With the ‘Grain Road’ the
exit from the EU draws Spinney’s. of State for Trade Industry topic of discussion, Ugandan
nearer, Openshaw revealed “No-one knows what’s and Cooperatives, Uganda, Minister Kafabusa believes
Grandma Singletons is one of going to happen on tariffs, the forum illustrated how a the cross-continent trade
hundreds of British companies everyone is hoping a Brexit potential new ‘Grain Road’ relationships will benefit
exploring options beyond the agreement will be struck,” - stretching from Russia nations and consumers
European bloc at Gulfood. said Robert Woodall, CEO of to Africa, via the Middle outside of the UAE, Russia
With Britain long- the Meatless Farm Co. East – could also boost trade and Uganda.
established as the world’s between East and West. “Uganda is known as
third largest producer and Trio of Ministers Discuss for its good, fertile soils and
exporter of sheep meat, Dr. ‘Grain Road’ Time to disrupt our approach there’s no application of
Phil Hadley, International With food security to food fertilisers. We have grown up
Market Development concerns growing globally, During her address, knowing only fresh food,”
Director at the Agriculture & food industry experts from Minister AlMheiri told the said Kafabusa.
Horticulture Development the UAE, Russia and Africa Forum that the world is at
Board (AHDB), a levy have outlined how a new critical junction and action Indian Participation
organisation funded by ‘Grain Road’ may help ensure must be taken to ensure a Indian companies
farmers, growers and other effective food security for brighter, sustainable future. have been contributing in
entities across the supply multiple continents during Citing data that highlighted Gulfood persistently since its
chain, is optimistic Gulfood the landmark UAE-Russia- how a third of global food commencement. This year
can ease the strain of Brexit. Africa Food Security Forum production goes to waste, various Indian companies
showcased their full strength
“There is a huge – the official precursor to the despite 800 million people at the show and were happy
opportunity in the regional three-day Gulfood Innovation going hungry every night, the with the response they
market and Gulfood is the Summit. food security pioneer said it received from the trade
platform to embrace that As 5,000 global F&B was time to disrupt traditional visitors.
opportunity,” said Hadley, producers converge on the food production and eating AgriBusiness & Food
as the AHDB rallies around 24 edition of the world’s habits. Industry was also a prominent
th
12 British meat producers at largest food and beverage AlMheiri said the UAE participant at the expo and
Gulfood. trade show to conduct mega – now ranked 31 on the got noteworthy admiration
st
With of the permutations trade deals, ministers from the Global Food Security Index from the exhibitors as well as
of a no-deal Brexit casting UAE, Russia and Uganda met - is leading the way on food visitors for presenting articles
a cloud of uncertainty over to explore how a ‘Grain Road’ security due to adopting new giving an extensive picture of
the British food industry, linking the three continents technologies and making use the Indian food industry.
Jonathan Eckley, Head of can provide food security of government accelerator
Asia Pacific Export for AHDB, to a Middle East and Africa platforms to remove barriers For more information, visit
agreed Gulfood – and the (MEA) region on track to in food production. www.gulfood.com

28 March 2019 AgriBusiness & Food i ndustr y