In an increasingly competitive food and beverage marketplace, embracing innovation is vital for businesses to stay ahead of the curve. At the Gulfood Manufacturing show attendees are learning the advantages that U.S. dairy ingredients offer in propelling the launch of breakthrough new products and delivering value when reformulating product lines.

The U.S. Dairy Pavilion within the Gulfood show in Dubai was the scene of bustling activity, as U.S. dairy suppliers connected with both new and existing customers throughout the Middle East and North Africa. The Gulfood Show, held February 8-12, 2015, is the premier food and hospitality show in the region, attracting buyers, end-users and chefs. Six USDEC member companies (Agropur, James Farrell and Co., Ronald A. Chisholm, Ltd., Saputo, Sartori and TC Jacoby and Co.) exhibited together with USDEC within the U.S. Dairy Pavilion, showcasing the vast portfolio of quality U.S. cheeses, whey ingredients, milk powders, butter and more. Several additional U.S. suppliers had their own booths or used the show as a platform for one-on-one customer meetings. In total, eighteen U.S. dairy companies participated in the Gulfood show, a reflection of the U.S. dairy industry's enthusiasm to expand and strengthen ties with customers throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

With the objective of expanding U.S. cheese usage in the Emirati foodservice sector, USDEC conducted a U.S. Cheese Culinary Conference in Dubai on November 6. The event attracted 59 UAE-based chefs for a full-day of interactive instruction.

To build demand for and expand market presence and penetration of U.S. dairy products in the Middle East/North Africa region, USDEC conducted a first-ever U.S. Dairy Business Conference in Dubai. The interactive forum attracted 101 high-prospect food and beverage industry decision-makers from nine countries in the region and 12 USDEC member companies.