Qatar launches farmers’ association
Qatar has created a farmers’ association, backed by the Ministry of Economy and the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI), to promote agricultural development in the country.
Archives for June 15, 2014
Australia
Australia to get national standard for free-range eggs
Australian consumers will finally have a clear definition for free-range eggs after state and territory ministers agreed to a New South Wales proposal to develop a national standard for free-range eggs.
Saudi Arabia warms to microwave food
Saudi Arabia's younger consumers and working women are driving a gradual shift towards microwaveable meals, but wider change will be slow to come, according to research firm Euromonitor.
Saudi ready meals market hits $7bn, but growth set to slow
Saudi Arabia's ready meal, coffee, tea and spices market grew 118% to reach US$7bn in value between 2007 and 2012, but growth will slow in coming years, according to a new report.
Brazil uses World Cup to score with regional buyers
Brazil’s food vendors are leveraging the FIFA World Cup to woo Middle Eastern buyers by setting up trade meetings to coincide with the football tournament.
Japan
Japanese railway to use KitKat bars as tickets
Japan has a reputation for food innovation, and a new initiative by Nestlé will transform one of its iconic chocolate bars into currency for train travel while at the same time promoting a crisis-hit part of the country.
Brazil's Marfrig considers Saudi factory
Brazilian food processor Marfrig is planning to set up its first factory in the Middle East within the next five years, with Saudi Arabia the most likely location.
India
EU, US request for food security data sparks trade row with India
The US and EU have called on the World Trade Organisation to make the provision of full information on India’s food subsidy programme a precondition before they can begin negotiations on how to tackle the issue of legitimising food procurement subsidies.
Iraq set to resume Brazilian beef imports
Iraq is expected to re-start imports of Brazilian beef, following a technical visit by Iraqi government inspectors to Brazil this month.
US university creates curriculum for Nestlé training center in China
The University of Wisconsin-Madison, US, will develop the curriculum for a $400m Nestlé dairy training center in China.
Almarai signs fodder port deal as Q1 profits rise 7%
Saudi dairy and poultry producer Almarai has signed a deal for berth and processing facilities at King Abdullah Port (KAP), in order to import its own animal feed.
ABZ Agro woos Saudi investors for buffalo meat venture
Indian meat processing firm ABZ Agro is hunting for Saudi investors for a new buffalo meat production plant.
Sabic in $595m joint venture for plastics production
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) is to form a US$595m food packaging joint venture with Korean petrochemical firm SK Global Chemical, the firms have announced.
Saudi poultry to soar 52% by 2018
Saudi Arabia's poultry production will rise 52% over the next four years, as the country's total agricultural sector is set to hit US$1.7bn in value, according to a new report.