(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM)) Trade associations representing the beef, poultry and confectionary industries in Brazil have good expectations about business for their members during Gulfood, the biggest fair food of the Middle East, which kicks off next week in Dubai.

The Brazilian Association of Animal Protein, ABPA, is taking 14 poultry-exporting companies to show their ranges. "We always have high expectations for Gulfood. Each and every year, the fair becomes bigger and better," said Francisco Turra, Chief Executive of ABPA. "The fair always provides the best opportunities for us to be there and display our products," he said, adding that the exhibitors will hold food tastings during the event.

According to a report from the Brazilian Arab News Agency, ANBA, in 2014, Brazil exported 4.1 million tons of poultry. For this year, Turra is expecting a 3 to 4% growth in production and volume of chicken exports.

The Association of Brazilian Beef Exporters, Abiec, will be taking 11 members to the fair. "Abiec increased the number of members and some of the companies are just beginning to export", explained Fernando Sampaio, the association's Executive Director. "Even if some of the companies already established their brand in the Arab market, the fair offers the opportunity of making contact with several clients simultaneously. It gathers everybody from the sector and it's the most important event of the food sector in the region. In one week, you meet a lot of people and can assess the market situation," he remarked.

To promote Brazilian beef in the fair, Abiec traditionally throws a barbecue for potential buyers, with the goal of displaying and emphasising the preparation method and quality of the product.

Last year, Brazil exported more than 326,000 tons of beef to 18 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Egypt, the biggest buyer in the region, imported the equivalent of US$611 million, Algeria US$100 million and the United Arab Emirates bought US$83 million.

The confectionary sector will take eight companies to the fair, members of the Brazilian Association of Chocolate, Cocoa, Peanuts, Candies and Derivatives, Abicab.

Rodrigo Solano, Abicab's Exports Manager, points out that the Middle East and United States are the two most important markets for the Brazilian confectionary segment. "The United States for its size and the Middle East for the potential and growth displayed," he explained.

In 2014, the confectionary sector in Brazil exported 4.8 million tons to the Middle East, a rise of 8% over 2013. The revenue reached US$9 million, 5.4% more than the previous year.

For the Abicab manager, the main advantage of being at Gulfood is the possibility of conquering new clients. "It's the busiest fair. It's the fair from which we bring back more contacts," he said.

Brazil's stand at Gulfood is organised by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, Apex-Brasil. In all, 72 Brazilian companies will be at the event gathered in a 1,085 square meter space.

Besides the products mentioned above, exporting industries that will also be present include rice, fruit, coffee, baking, juices and fruit pulps, dairy products and honey.

According to data from Apex, during the 2014 event Brazilian companies closed deals worth US$653 million and the estimate for this year is to achieve well above this figure.