U.S. Dairy Suppliers Drive New Demand in Middle East & North Africa

Multiple regional visits underscore breadth of growing U.S. dairy offerings.

The advantages of choosing U.S. dairy – from a sustainable supply and diverse product offerings to the versatility of nutrition, taste, and functionality across many applications – make it well-suited for food companies in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region. A trade mission of U.S. dairy exporters of cheese, dairy ingredients, and other dairy products will travel to the region in November to build relationships with local food and beverage manufacturers and foodservice operators by demonstrating how U.S. Dairy can support their production, development and innovation needs as they aim to satisfy ever-evolving consumer tastes and preferences.

“Across the MENA region, the growing food processing segment has increased demand for raw materials, including U.S. dairy ingredients, and has made product innovation and development a priority,” said Nina Halal, director of Middle East North Africa for the U.S. Dairy Export Council. “The U.S. dairy community is committed to the MENA region, delivering a sustainable supply of high-quality dairy products to food and beverage manufacturers throughout the year while providing the resources they need to develop new and innovative products.”

Food and beverage manufacturing facilities in the MENA region are expanding and modernizing to support a growing population and increased consumption of processed foods. For example, in Saudi Arabia, the largest economy in the Middle East, consumer spending on food is expected to increase 6% per year over the next five years. Dairy consumption in Saudi Arabia has doubled in the last two decades and it is currently the largest cheese importer in the MENA region.

“The U.S. is currently the world's largest producer of cow's milk, cheese and whey ingredients,” said Angélique Hollister senior vice president, global cheese marketing for the U.S. Dairy Export Council. “U.S. dairy suppliers have the land, technology and commitment needed for increased responsible production as the MENA appetite expands.”

With an ample and rising milk production capacity and diverse, sustainably produced product portfolio, MENA food and beverage manufacturers can count on the U.S. dairy industry for a competitive supply of world-class quality products. Sound modern farming practices deliver unmatched farm efficiency to help deliver a steady, year-round supply of high-quality U.S. cheese, dairy ingredients, and other dairy products with minimal seasonal variations. The industry continues to support sustainable food systems through ambitious commitments to becoming GHG neutral by 2050.

The November trade mission will include trade meetings between U.S. suppliers and local buyers as well as market visits and receptions in regional commercial hubs: Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Morocco.

U.S. dairy suppliers have a lot to offer MENA food and beverage formulators with nutritional, functional and taste advantages of U.S. cheese, dairy ingredients, and other dairy products.

Some market opportunities include:

• Processed cheese is significant in Saudi Arabia and raw materials for it – such as dairy ingredients and natural cheese – are imported. Processed cheese is also exported throughout the region.
• Imported dairy ingredients are needed to make recombined UHT milk, evaporated milk, sour cream and other growing products.
• The region’s large bakery segment and rapidly growing confectionery segment have potential to incorporate more U.S. cheese, dairy ingredients and other dairy products.
• Economic reliance on tourism and hotel development drives supply chain investment and demand for high-quality, safe ingredients.

In addition to the trade mission, in the coming year USDEC representatives based in the region will enhance the presence of U.S. dairy and carry out a variety of trade engagement and marketing programs for the MENA-based food and beverage/foodservice sectors. This includes hosting seminars, participating in trade shows, and sharing timely market information about the U.S. dairy industry and its ever-evolving product portfolio to help spur customer success with sourcing and promoting products. Programs also provide food and beverage and foodservice end-users with utilization trends, formulation and recipe ideas and technical insights to spark creativity in using U.S. cheese, dairy ingredients and other dairy products in new and innovative ways.

“The U.S. dairy community is passionate about feeding the world responsibly, driving innovation and delivering nutrition for generations to come,” said Vikki Nicholson-West, senior vice president, global ingredients marketing for the U.S. Dairy Export Council. “The U.S. supplier trade mission group is looking forward to visiting the MENA region, increasing awareness and interest in U.S. Dairy, and promoting customer product innovation success.”

U.S. dairy companies participating in the November USDEC trade mission to the MENA region include:

1. Agri-Mark, Inc.
2. Associated Milk Producers Inc.
3. Ronald A. Chisholm Limited
4. Dairy America
5. Erie Foods International
6. First District Association
7. Interra International, LLC.
8. James Farrell & Co
9. Leprino
10. Proliant Dairy Ingredients
11. Renard's Cheese/Rosewood Dairy
12. Saputo Inc.
13. Schreiber Foods
14. T. C. Jacoby & Company, Inc.
15. Mera Foodservice