The United Arab Emirates (UAE) food industry has voiced its need for substantial quantities of Indian chicken, dairy, basmati rice, frozen marine goods, and wheat products. The Middle East market, including countries like Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, is witnessing a surge in demand for these Indian food items, and industry players are keen on bolstering their exports.
Seeking vital support from the Indian government to facilitate imports, the UAE food industry is pressing for streamlined certification processes, greater coordination with the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), and the harmonization of standards. Furthermore, industry representatives stress the significance of high-quality packaging to enhance the appeal of Indian products in these markets.
During his recent visit to the UAE, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal engaged in detailed discussions with importers, exploring avenues to amplify exports from India. The UAE-based Global Food Industries LLC’s Head of Sales for Frozen and Beverages, Nissar Thalangara, noted substantial potential for India to export frozen products to Middle Eastern countries.
Representatives from the Oman-based Khimji Ramdas Group underlined the demand for Indian basmati rice, advocating a reduction in the minimum export price (MEP) for this commodity, which is currently set at USD 1,200 per tonne. The Indian government is considering lowering the MEP to USD 850 per tonne, a move that could significantly boost Indian rice exports.
Halal certification also emerged as a key concern, with India already possessing a well-established halal meat certification system. Allanasons Pvt Ltd.’s Executive Director, Fauzan Alavi, attributed the free trade agreement between India and the UAE as a driving force behind the increased exports of meat products.
Importers from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries raised concerns about standards, packaging, and labeling, emphasizing the potential of products crafted by Indian cottage industries. They called for India to address these aspects to tap into the growing demand.
The India-UAE trade agreement, implemented in May of the previous year, has already borne fruit, with bilateral trade between the two nations surging to USD 84.9 billion in the fiscal year 2022-23, up from USD 72.9 billion in 2021-22. Participants from both sides see immense opportunities for further growth in the food and agricultural sectors and are actively pursuing avenues to meet this burgeoning demand.