As Gulfood 2025—the world’s largest annual food and beverage trade event—comes to a close at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), Colombia has proudly reaffirmed its position as a global leader in the agri-food industry. This year marked the country’s most significant participation to date, with a remarkable number of companies showcasing their premium products and many more attending as visitors. The event served as a major milestone for Colombia’s expanding presence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, highlighting the nation’s commitment to strengthening trade ties and exploring new market opportunities.
Possible through the support of ProColombia, under the leadership of Carmen Caballero Villa, President of ProColombia, whose guidance was crucial in orchestrating Colombia’s presence at the event. Alongside her, Gabriel Gómez, Vice President of Exports at ProColombia, played a pivotal role in facilitating business connections and strengthening Colombia’s trade ties in the region. Their efforts were further supported by the diplomatic backing of Miguel Merlano, Ambassador of Colombia to the UAE, and key figures such as Oscar Puche Uribe, Oscar Mauricio Bolaños Carvajal, and Alfonso Soria.
Colombian Brands Captivate at Gulfood 2025
The Colombian Pavilion was a true celebration of the nation’s diversity, innovation, and commitment to sustainability. Every company that participated showcased Colombia’s finest products, reflecting its ambition to become a global leader in food exports.
🌟 Featured Colombian Companies:
- 🌿 Etnico Company Colombia S.A.S – A leader in organic and sustainable agricultural products.
- 🥭 Pacifico Snacks – Innovators in tropical fruit snacks, highlighting Colombia’s rich biodiversity.
- 🍬 Colombina – A global food company dedicated to captivating consumers through innovation and exceptional flavors.
- ☕ Buencafé – Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) – Bringing premium freeze-dried coffee from Colombia’s finest beans.
- 🍌 Uniban – Exporting bananas and tropical fruits cultivated in Colombia’s fertile lands.
- ☕ National Federation of Colombian Coffee Growers – Promoting Colombia’s globally renowned coffee tradition.
- ☕ Juan Valdez MENA – Expanding Colombia’s iconic coffee brand in the Middle Eastern market.
- 🍌 Mapy S.A.S – A leading producer of plantain chips for national and international markets,
- 🏭 Grupo Lux – Leading innovations in food processing and packaging solutions.
- 🍗 Fenavi – Representing Colombia’s poultry sector with a focus on quality and sustainability.
- 🐄 Fedegán – Highlighting Colombia’s premium beef exports through sustainable livestock practices.
Strengthening Trade Relations with the UAE
As part of its activities in Dubai, Colombia’s delegation moved swiftly to engage in high-level discussions with key organizations in the UAE. Demonstrating a proactive approach, the delegation also pursued additional meetings to strengthen trade relations, forge long-term partnerships, and expand the country’s presence across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This dynamic engagement highlighted Colombia’s commitment to building strong economic bridges with the UAE.
Key activities included:
- 🏛️ Dubai Chambers – Facilitating trade agreements and opening new markets for Colombian exports.
- 🏙️ Dubai Municipality – Ensuring compliance with food safety and import standards in the UAE.
- ✈️ Emirates Flight Catering – Introducing Colombian coffee, fruits, and snacks to global airline catering.
- 🏪 Farzana Trading – Boosting Colombian product distribution in retail and food service sectors across the UAE.
In a statement following the event’s success, Ambassador Miguel Merlano expressed his gratitude:
“Thank you to everyone who contributed to this successful participation! 🇨🇴🇦🇪 Special recognition goes to Carmen Caballero Villa, President of ProColombia, and Gabriel Gómez, Vice President of Exports, whose leadership and dedication have made this achievement possible. I also extend my thanks to Oscar Puche Uribe, Oscar Mauricio Bolaños Carvajal, and Alfonso Soria for their tireless efforts in making Colombia’s presence at Gulfood 2025 a reality.”
