High Quality & Tasty Japanese Food Products promoted at Gulfood 2021

Once again, JETRO organized the Japan Pavilion at Gulfood 2021, promoting 38 Japanese companies for this year. Gulfood, the largest Food & Beverages related exhibition in the Middle East, was held from 21^st to 25^th of February, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. About 59,000 visitors from 162 countries attended the event, in which, 2,531 exhibitors from 85 countries showcased their products. The Japan Pavilion was located at the Trade Centre Arena and Za’abeel Plaza Hall, where tasty, healthy foods and ingredients from all over Japan were displayed and promoted. Some of the products on display were Japanese special rice, teas, seasonings, ramen noodles, sweets, seafood, and a variety of Japanese foods and ingredients.

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, only four companies from Japan participated in person. However, thanks to the participants who physically exhibited during the event, the atmosphere at the Japan Pavilion was lively and active business talks took place. On the other hand, for those companies who were not able to come, aside from product display of their items, an online business meetings between the exhibitors and visitors were arranged during the exhibition. By doing this, JETRO have responded to the needs of various visitors.

This year, the Gulfood Secretariat imposed a strict safety and hygiene protocols. The participants as well as the visitors adhered the social distancing rules inside the Pavilion and tasting facility. No violations were pointed out.

The Gulfood 2021 was the only live, in-person food & beverage sourcing event of the year held under the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the number of exhibitors who participated in-person from Japan were few, and the number of visitors were about 60% compared last year, the event was a great success. Active business talks took place during the event.