USAID/TAFA

Thirty Afghan traders will showcase the country’s agricultural riches, ranging from saffron and pomegranates to apples and nuts, at a three-day Gulfood Exhibition which opens today in Dubai.

The renowned Gulfood Exhibition, held at the Dubai World Trade Center, is the Middle East’s biggest annual food and hospitality show, bringing together thousands of buyers, suppliers, and food enthusiasts from around the world.

With USAID support, 30 Afghan traders of fresh produce, saffron, dried fruit, nuts, juice concentrate, and juice will participate in Gulfood. Six of the participants are businesswomen. Afghanistan’s Ministry of Commerce and Industries developed marketing materials, including invitations and a business directory, featuring the ruby-red seeds of the country’s renowned pomegranates and encouraging visitors to “discover Afghanistan’s agricultural jewels.”

Afghanistan’s booth, where the companies will display their produce and participate in business-to-business meetings with potential partners, is located at Stand Y-E80 in the Zabeel Pavilion.

Afghanistan is home to unique and high quality produce. Afghanistan’s saffron recently won the top prize in an international saffron competition in France. Nowhere else in the world do pomegranates grow as big and as sweet. The country’s native grapes and apricots have one of the highest natural sugar contents compared to other varieties. Afghanistan’s apples are renowned for their taste, and its dried fruit and nuts are famous in the region. The country’s juice is also winning customers around the world. 

With USAID support, Afghan businessmen participated in Gulfood in past years and struck several large contracts, including one between Afghanistan’s Nijabat Haidari Ltd. and the Netherlands’ Supreme Group.

2013 02 25 Press Release Gulfood Exhibition FINAL (English)

2013 02 25 Press Release Gulfood Exhibition FINAL (Dari)