An association representing the Brazilian beef industry is seeking pastures new for its gourmet-quality cuts of Angus beef.

The Brazilian Association of Beef Exporters (ABIEC) is hosting the ABIEC Gourmet Beef Event in association with the events company Sopexa in a bid to kick-start exports of Brazilian Halal-

Coinciding with ABIEC's presence at Gulfood 2016, the gala dinner is part of the association's strategy to boost exports of premium grades of Halal Angus beef to the UAE's retail, hospitality and food and beverage sectors.

Fernando Sampaio, Executive Director of ABIEC, said: "The UAE is significant target market for Brazilian beef exporters. It is a culturally diverse society where residents and visitors are keen to try new food and beverage experiences.

"Our objective is to demonstrate to this market that Brazilian Angus beef is produced to international standards of sustainability and animal welfare, and according to Halal´s religious criteria."

He added: "We have recently began exports to countries including The Netherlands and Germany and a lot more is yet to come. We aim to break into the UAE market before targeting other European countries, as well as Latin America and Asia."

H.E. Mr de Vasconcellos said : "The UAE is a growing market for Brazilian beef. In 2015, Brazilian exports of fresh and frozen beef to the UAE weighed 15 metric tons, reaching over US$75 million in value.

"These numbers are an expression of the long and trusting partnership between Brazil and the UAE, particularly regarding cooperation on food security. Even when other GCC countries suspended their imports of Brazilian beef over the BSE scare, the UAE kept its confidence in the work of Brazilian authorities and the security of our food safety standards and practices and never imposed any restrictions on Brazilian beef imports."

Both ABIEC and the Angus Brazilian Association will be active at Gulfood 2016, the world's largest annual food and hospitality show, which is being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The associations are using the event to promote Brazilian Halal Angus beef to thousands of representatives of the food industry.

ABIEC is responsible for 92 per cent of Brazil's negotiated beef for international markets. It was created to boost exports of Brazilian beef by reducing commercial barriers and promoting the product globally.

In 2001, Apex-Brazil and ABIEC formed a partnership to improve the perception of Brazilian beef around the world. Since then, six projects have already been signed with investments of close to US$10 million, resulting in export growth of more than 500 per cent.

Currently, Brazil produces 10 million tons of beef, 20 per cent of which is exported overseas to more than 130 countries. In the last decade, the sector registered a 135 per cent growth in its export value. In 2015, Brazil's beef exports earned total revenue of US$ 5.9 billion.

The Certified Angus Beef program is Brazil's largest beef quality certification scheme and is officially recognised by the Ministry of Agriculture. Only Angus animals or Angus mixes that fit specific criteria receive the program certification.