Minister of Agriculture Ignas Hofmannas is on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to attend the anniversary edition of the exhibition "Gulfood 2025". The exhibition in Dubai is one of the world's most important platforms for the agriculture and food sector. It is not only a great opportunity to showcase the innovations of the Lithuanian food industry, but also to establish new contacts with partners from all over the world.

The UAE is Lithuania's main partner in the Gulf region. It is also a gateway to a wider market, encompassing not only the whole region but also a large part of Asia and Africa. In 2024, bilateral trade volumes grew by as much as 63 per cent. According to the Minister, the fact that as many as 26 Lithuanian companies are taking part in this year's „Gulfood“ exhibition demonstrates the attention our country's food producers are paying to the Gulf region and its potential.

In order to increase the export of Lithuanian food products to this strategic region and to raise Lithuania's profile among the UAE's most influential business representatives, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr I. Hofmanas, paid particular attention to meetings with business representatives during his visit.

Minister Hofman met with Suresh Vaidhyanathan, CEO of one of the UAE's largest supermarket chains, „Grandiose“, Fethi Khiari, Managing Director of distributors „United Foods“ and Vineeth R. Karal, Managing Director of „Truebell Marketing and Trading LLC“. These distributors already import Lithuanian products. Meetings were also held with potential distributors „Al Tayeb Distribution“, „SAFCO International General Trading“.

The meetings discussed trade relations, distributors' needs and opportunities to expand the range of Lithuanian products in the UAE market. Although the partners are interested in various product categories, the focus is on dairy products, oil, organic products and innovative food solutions.

Minister I. Hofmanas stressed at the meetings that Lithuania, unlike most countries in the world, can be proud of its excellent conditions for agriculture, which allow it to supply top quality and innovative agricultural and food products.

„Lithuanian products are becoming more and more established in international markets, and the professionalism of our producers and their ability to adapt to the needs of different markets is a strong competitive advantage,“ – said the Minister.

The Minister of Agriculture also visited the world's largest vertical farm „Emirates Bustanica“. This $40 million Bustanutland farm, which will open in 2022, will be the first of its kind in the world. The hydroponic farm, which will open in 2022 at a cost of USD 20 million, uses cutting-edge technology, including artificial intelligence, to grow pesticide-free produce.

The Minister was briefed on the innovative technological solutions that are enabling the development of agriculture in a country where the climatic conditions are extremely unfavourable for traditional farming. The „Emirates Bustanica“ farm is an excellent example of how advanced technology and sustainable solutions can help secure food supplies even in difficult conditions.

Preliminary data show that in 2024, total exports of agricultural and food products from Lithuania to the UAE amounted to EUR 26.2 million, an increase of 63% compared to 2023. The main exports to the UAE were concentrated milk and cream, cheese, cottage cheese, poultry meat, edible offal and malt beer.

Lithuanian agricultural and food products are exported to 156 countries around the world and the total value of exported goods last year amounted to EUR 7.3 billion.