Diana Farah

DUBAI: Gulfood’s 30th edition kicked off on Feb. 17 inviting guests and exhibitors to discover the world of food and beverage. Over 20 Japanese organizations are participating in this year’s event.

Under the theme ‘The Next Frontier in Food,’ Gulfood 2025 anticipates USD 20 billion in trade deals and cutting-edge industry collaboration.

Japanese companies are involved in the large event every year, and this year is no exception. With seafood, beef and other businesses present straight from Japan, visitors can discover what the Asian country has to offer in the culinary world.

The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) has set up a pavilion solely focused on seafoods ranging from oysters and scallops to octopus and eels.

Speaking to Arab News Japan, JETRO’s Deputy Director-General Nishiura Masaru said items like oysters, crab meat and Japanese Hamachi are gaining widespread popularity in the Middle East.

“With a boom in Japanese restaurants in the region, especially in the UAE, we hope to expand more of the Japanese products into the market. I think it is the perfect time to do that,” Nishiura said.

The JETRO official added that he hoped the exhibition would help Japanese suppliers gain trade deals.

When it came to Asian restaurants in Dubai, Nishiura told Arab News Japan he thinks the quality of food easily matched Japan’s.

JETRO is also pushing for the Japanese food suppliers, specifically seafood, to expand into Saudi Arabia, Nishiura said.

Some of the companies exhibiting at Gulfood this year include Fuji Bussan, Sugiyo Co., Tsujino & Co., Kochi Ice Co., Rokubei Co., Kurata Foods Co. and many more.

Top Table is also at Gulfood this year and saw Chef Patricia Roig, Executive Chef and Japanese Seafood Ambassador, serve up some delicious dishes using Japan’s scallops, sweet potatoes and Hamachi.

UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri is also set to deliver an opening keynote on Day 2 of the exhibition, addressing Gulfood’s economic impact and the UAE’s role as a global trade gateway.

Minister Al Marri said: “The selection of the food cluster as the first economic cluster to be developed by the UAE highlights the importance the country attaches to the sector as a key driver of economic diversification. The food cluster strategy aims to ensure self-sufficiency in food production and enhance the food ecosystem management through supporting agricultural enterprises and increasing local production.”

“Against this backdrop, the landmark edition of Gulfood will serve as an ideal platform for partnerships and discussions, presenting opportunities for knowledge exchange and networking across industries, thus fostering a foundation for setting and accomplishing future objectives within the global trade community,” he added.

French Chef Alain Ducasse will be leading Top Table, which is sponsored by JETRO, and sharing his insights on culinary futurism and the future of the industry.

As part of Gulfood, Ducasse is treating food lovers to an exclusive meal at renowned Japanese restaurant Takahisa.

A schedule of 4-and 6-hands fine dining collaborations, with a highlight 8-hands experience, has been curated across some of Dubai’s top restaurants including: Takahisa, Avatara, Lowe, Orfali Bros and Armani Amal.