Dairy exporters will have the chance to hear what opportunities exist in the Middle East during two Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) webinars next month.

As part of a ‘Middle East Week’, a collaboration between AHDB, Defra and the Department for International Trade, exporters will have the chance to learn more about the market, including insights from a new Defra commissioned report.

In the first webinar on the 8th September, Caroline Dawson of farming and agri-food consultancy business Promar, will provide an in depth look at the opportunities for dairy exporters, highlighted in the new ‘UAE Market for Selected UK Food and Drink Products’ report.

Attendees will also find out how the UK is viewed as a food supplier in the United Arab Emirates, as well as hear how significant tariff barriers are to UK products and what companies need to do to increase dairy exports.

“The Middle East is a hugely important region for UK dairy and while we continue to ship our products despite the challenges created by Covid-19, there are still many opportunities to be had.”

Senior export manager, Lucy Randolph, will also give an overview of the current market conditions and highlight the work of AHDB to promote UK dairy products in the UAE, while tackling the ongoing challenges of Covid-19.

Randolph said: “The Middle East is a hugely important region for UK dairy and while we continue to ship our products despite the challenges created by Covid-19, there are still many opportunities to be had.

“We are delighted to be joined on both webinars by so many valuable contributors from key organisations, Government and businesses in all these important markets. Both webinars will allow exporters to hear in greater detail how they can maximise the opportunities and help the UK take a greater share of the market.”

The webinar will also include a presentation from Lorna Berdunova, agriculture, food and drink counsellor for the Gulf Region for Defra and trade and investment advisor, Adil Khan, from the Department for International Trade.

The second webinar takes place on the 10th September and will focus on the opportunities for dairy exporters in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait.

Presentations will be provided by Yazan Shukair, head of market entry consultancy in Saudi Arabia, senior commercial attache for the Department for International Trade in Qatar, Fiona Chamberlain and Gula Al-Sharafi, the senior trade adviser for healthcare, life science and food and drink in Kuwait.

Both webinars start at 10am and places can be booked by registering here.