As a global leader in premium food exports, Chile continues to expand its footprint in the Gulf region with the strong support of ProChile, the government agency responsible for promoting Chilean exports worldwide. With a mission to connect local businesses with international markets, ProChile plays a crucial role in fostering trade partnerships, facilitating market access, and enhancing Chile’s global competitiveness.
Chile and the UAE share a dynamic and growing trade relationship, with the Gulf country serving as a key hub for Chilean products in the wider Middle East. Chile’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation has made its food industry a trusted supplier in the region, particularly in high-demand categories such as dried fruits, salmon, cereals, and halal-certified meats.
At Gulfood 2025, Chile is set to reinforce its position as a major food supplier, showcasing its diverse range of premium products to buyers, distributors, and industry leaders. In this exclusive interview, Ignacio Fernández, Director General of ProChile, shares insights into the agency’s strategies for opening new trade opportunities, supporting exporters, and strengthening Chile’s presence in the Middle East’s thriving food sector.
At Gulfood 2025, Chile will mainly showcase dried and dehydrated fruits, globally recognized for their quality, flavor, and high nutritional value, making them true superfoods. Additionally, there will be companies presenting cereals, particularly oats, and salmon, an industry in which Chile ranks among the world’s top exporters.
In total, we have 28 companies exhibiting their products at the fair, along with 20 other institutions and companies visiting, including Faenacar, a trade association in the meat sector, and Chilehalal, a food certification entity that ensures compliance with religious standards.
“Chilehalal was accredited by the UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology last November until 2027. Overall, this is the largest, most diverse, and most robust delegation Chile has ever brought to Gulfood”
What are the key opportunities that Chile identifies in the Gulf for its exporters, and what challenges must companies overcome to establish themselves in these markets?
We see significant opportunities not only in strengthening Chile’s reputation as a sustainable and reliable food supplier but also in diversifying our food offerings and expanding to new destinations in the Gulf region.
In the food sector, there is room for more fresh fruit, processed food products, functional foods, and proteins (beef, lamb, and poultry), especially now that we have an accredited Halal certification body recognized by a UAE authority.
We also see potential for increasing wine exports, which have been growing in the region in recent years. Similarly, salmon—Chile’s second-largest export product after copper—has strong potential. Last year, Chile exported nearly $6.4 billion worth of salmon worldwide, with 2.4% of that going to the Middle East. For this reason, we will strengthen promotional efforts in collaboration with our exporters and trade associations.
Moreover, Chile has well-established expertise in technology and services related to the food industry, which enhances our value proposition.
This presents opportunities for Chilean providers offering solutions in agriculture (agritech), aquaculture, fintech, healthtech, and other industries where Chile has decades of experience and specialized products for productive efficiency.
The main challenge is overcoming geographical and cultural distances. Our team in the UAE and regional offices are here to help companies connect with markets in the Gulf and the broader Middle East.
What types of trade agreements or strategic alliances is Chile seeking at Gulfood 2025 to expand its presence in the Middle East?
Gulfood is a key platform for Chilean food companies to showcase their products and connect with potential importers. We believe that the most relevant agreements are those established between businesses, with public sector support to facilitate market knowledge and connections.
This year’s Gulfood takes place at a crucial moment for Chile’s trade relationship with the UAE, following the signing of Chile’s first-ever trade agreement in the Middle East last year during President Gabriel Boric’s visit. In the same context, ProChile signed cooperation agreements with chambers of commerce in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
“ProChile signed cooperation agreements with chambers of commerce in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.“
Furthermore, since November, Chile has had an accredited Halal food certification entity recognized by the UAE authority. This means that Gulfood 2025 comes at a time when Chile has concrete opportunities to export and diversify shipments to the UAE and the Gulf region, and we are committed to supporting businesses in leveraging these opportunities.
What are Chile’s business expectations for this edition of Gulfood?
Our goal is to advance towards a comprehensive export offering. This edition of Gulfood is particularly significant for Chile’s relationship with the UAE and the broader Middle East, as we have taken concrete steps to strengthen trade ties.
It is highly significant that, alongside ProChile-supported dried fruit and nut exporters, representatives from the salmon, meat, and other food industries will also be present. This reflects the Chilean private sector’s eagerness to seize the opportunities that have emerged. Additionally, ProChile is organizing a business matchmaking event for the end of the year, which we hope will generate even more trade opportunities in food, technology, and innovation with the region.
(C) latingulf 2025 / Photo credit: Prochile
