Gulfood expo opens doors for trade with US

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This is not only in line with stepped up initiatives to boost trade between the United States and sub-Saharan African nations (SSA), but also to create a platform for talks with United States food producers and exporters, as well as an opportunity to discuss trade with global exhibitors.
Gulfood, described as one of the world's largest food and hospitality trade events, brings together around 4,200 exhibitors and 80,000 visitors. Participants in this year's event included 162 exhibitors from the United States, 34 from South Africa under the banner of the Department of Trade and Industry, six from Kenya, one from Tanzania, one from Ethiopia and one from Uganda.

Promoting bilateral trade

Patrick Kerrigan, senior advisor to the administrator of Foreign Agricultural Service at the USDA, says the mission supports the White House's doing business in Africa (DBIA) campaign, which seeks to actively promote bilateral trade between sub-Sahara Africa and the US.

The DBIA campaign, described as an unprecedented, whole-of-government approach to increase the level of trade promotion to the region, was launched in November 2012 in line with President Barack Obama's overall US strategy towards sub-Sahara Africa. With bilateral trade between the US and SSA having tripled in the past decade, the US exported $22.6bn in goods and services to the region last year.

However, the initiatives are not focused solely on promoting US exports to Africa, explains Kerrigan. "Trade between the US and SSA is very much a win-win proposition. The US might, for example, sell wheat to Nigeria, where it is processed and value-added, and the goods might be sold back into market." Kerrigan expressed the hope that the initiative would mark the beginning of productive long-term relationships between the buyers and US companies.

Increased collaboration

Delegates from both the US and SSA expressed optimism about the potential for increased agricultural trade collaboration, supported by seasonal differences that allow for constant supplies of in-demand fresh fruit and vegetables to the US and SSA. Despite perceived challenges in entering the African market, delegates from the US and SSA were enthusiastic about the benefits that increased bilateral trade could bring.

Quintin Gray, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Agricultural counselor for Addis Ababa, says the focus is on true collaboration and two-way trade. "It is time for the US to be more fully engaged with Africa. This continent presents huge opportunities for bilateral trade, thanks to a young and increasingly middle class population and rapid economic growth."