Page 21 - AWA Vol.36-No.5

EU AGRI-FOOD EXPORTS

EU AGRI-FOOD EXPORTS TO GCC INCREASE AS

COVID-19 ACCELERATES CONSUMER DEMAND

FOR HEALTHY AND TRACEABLE FRESH PRODUCE

When it comes to F&B exports to the
GCC region, the COVID-19 crisis has
stressed the need for open trade, inter-
national safety standards, and greater in-
dustry collaboration to address the chal-
lenges of a more sustainable global food
system. This was the view of expert pan-
elists gathered for the European Union’s
webinar: “Beyond COVID-19: Rethinking
Food for the Future.”
Organized by the EU as part of its More
Than Food communication campaign,
the event was held last week and was
attended by more than 150 F&B industry
professionals from the GCC region.
Panelists included: Taina Sateri, Trade
Counsellor at the Delegation of the Eu-
ropean Union to the UAE; Miguel Angel
Povedano, Chief Commercial Officer,
Majid Al-Futtaim Retail; Monique Na- preference for healthy, nutritious, and ability of goods coming from the EU in
val, Senior Analyst Euromonitor Inter- high-quality food imports,” explained the future.”
national; and Mohammed Nasser, Chief Monique Naval. Miguel Angel Povedano added: “Car-
Executive Officer, NRTC Group. The ses- European Union farm exports to the refour is a bridge connecting the EU to
sion was moderated by Caterer Middle GCC during the height of the coronavi- 16 markets in this region and can play a
East editor Simon Ritchie. rus pandemic have sufficiently met the bigger role in the future too. As a com-
The discussion focused on the impacts needs of the region, growing 25% in the pany, we maintain a long-term vision and
of COVID-19 on consumer demand first quarter compared to Q1 2019. seek to develop lasting partnerships with
and food-related businesses across “This huge growth is testament to the all our suppliers. With that in mind, new
the GCC, as well as what the European good coordination between the respec- opportunities exist for EU companies to
Union is doing to ensure the region is tive EU and GCC authorities as well as establish relationships with buyers in the
supplied with high quality and safe agri- the EU’s ability to respond with a resil- GCC, and buyers will continue to have
food products. ient supply chain,” said Taina Sateri. a strong need for reliable, high-quality
According to Euromonitor Interna- “Our priority has always been to en- produce coming from the EU.”
tional, the GCC countries have fared sure EU farm exports are high quality, As one of the region’s leading import-
well in terms of adequate food supply, safe, healthy, nutritious and authentic in ers and exporters of fruit and vegeta-
helped in part by national food security taste. We offer access to the food pan- bles, NRTC Group has witnessed a 200%
measures put in place well before the tries of 27 member states so we can re- increase in consumer demand for fresh
crisis. However, the pandemic has ac- liably meet the growing consumer de- and healthy produce.
celerated the implementation of these mand for fresh produce,” she added. “We have definitely seen a shift in
measures to secure supply chains and This reliability is critical for retailers consumer buying as it has become more
saw immediate action centered around like Carrefour. According to Miguel An- focused on healthy, fresh produce and,
four main response nodes of business gel Povedano, provenance and trace- to a certain extent, increase of purchas-
continuity, labor planning, logistics, and ability will become even more vital to ing from known safe sources of fresh
communication. consumers’ purchasing decisions in the produce, like Europe. COVID-19 has
“Post the initial response, govern- future. brought into focus the health and safety
ments, alongside key modern retail in “With regards to products coming of the entire food system so it is under-
the region, are working on securing from the EU, it is imperative that we en- standable that consumers will seek out
strategic stock levels for a period of sure steady supply and focus on the core products that they think have the highest
one year and ensuring logistical chal- strengths of food products that represent hygiene standards in place,” said chief
lenges are mitigated by implementing value, especially around quality. Our executive Mohammed Nasser.
measures such as reduction of custom data indicates that people want to know Panelists agreed, the biggest chal-
fees and digital solutions to updating about the origins of their food, how it lenge facing GCC countries will be how
documents such as bills of lading. Food is produced, and the journey it took to to balance the import and local produc-
supply chains are likely to be funda- reach them. For this reason, we believe tion of fresh produce to adequately and
mentally altered in the future as local- better technology like Blockchain and sustainably meet their needs and the
ism gains prominence. But this needs to Artificial Intelligence will be crucial fac- shifting demands of consumers.
be balanced against growing consumer tors in improving the visibility and trace-
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