Products from Tatarstan in Egypt: Russian Brands Presence in Africa Was Discussed at Gulfood 2026

February 6, 2026

Prospects for developing Tatarstan's agricultural export to the Egyptian market were discussed as part of the business program at Gulfood 2026 International Food and Beverage Exhibition, Dubai.

The operator of the Russian national pavilion in Egypt held a series of working meetings with representatives of leading Tatarstan enterprises and regional Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Rustem Gainullov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Tatarstan, participated in the talks.

This year, Gulfood confirmed its status as the world's largest agro-industrial forum. The 31st exhibition brought together over 8,500 exhibitors from 195 countries. Russia presented one of the largest national stands under the Made in Russia brand, organized by Russian Export Center (VEB.RF Group). The Russian stand doubled in size this year, and the number of participants reached nearly 140 companies from 40 regions of the country.

Products from Tatarstan, including legumes, oat products, and sunflower oil, were of particular interest to Gulfood's foreign partners. The parties noted that demand for high-quality Russian products, including confectionery and vegetable oils, is steadily growing in the Middle East and North Africa.

The operator of the pavilion in Egypt provided Tatarstan manufacturers with a roadmap for entering the Egyptian market. The consultations included a detailed discussion of:

Regulatory requirements: specifics of mandatory certification and product safety standards;

Market adaptation: adjusting taste and packaging to suit the local preferences of Egyptian consumers;

Promotion tools: access to the pavilion's free infrastructure and a database of verified distributors.

For systematic planning of foreign trade activities, REC experts recommend that companies actively use the Events service on My Export digital platform.

Thanks to the service, exporters can:

Learn about upcoming international exhibitions and business missions (the calendar is available until 2028);

Submit applications for participation in national exhibitions under the Made in Russia brand;

Receive government co-financing for expenses on space rental, stand construction, and B2B meeting organization.

Russian Export Center (REC) noted that the success of Tatarstan companies at Gulfood 2026 demonstrates the high potential of the regional agricultural sector. Using the infrastructure of REC's Russian national pavilions abroad helps bridge the gap between Russian manufacturers and foreign retailers, ensuring a smooth and effective entry into the Egyptian market.

Detailed information about the program and conditions of participation, as well as how to application procedure, can be found on the official REC website.

Russian Export Center (REC, VEB.RF Group) is a government institution that supports non-resource and non-energy exports. It provides companies from various industries with both financial and non-financial support at all stages of entering international markets, including as part of the International Cooperation and Export national project. Most services offered by the REC Group are available online on My Export digital platform. Businesses have access to training on all aspects of export activities through the REC Export School, part of the Group. REC is also responsible for the key functions of supporting and implementing the Made in Russia program.