Together, the companies will introduce an extensive premium range of high-quality preserves and delicacies based on fresh fruit and vegetables with a long ambient shelf life.
Thierry Vandererfven, owner of Belberry Preserves commented: “This new partnership with Chef Middle East is very important as we think the Middle East market has a huge potential with its hotels. At the moment, we supply hotels all over the world from Europe to USA and Canada. We have found the right partner with Chef Middle East and are looking for a long term and fruitful partnership. The first steps are already very promising.”
“Our biggest opportunity is that Belberry can offer a total package for the luxury hotels, from exquisite jams to acacia honey and chocolate spread as well as condiments ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard, all available in different sizes and packaging.
“Belberry preserves are made of the highest quality ingredients and are gently produced to obtain the best taste possible. You will always find a very high percentage of fruit in all our products. No additives, colourings or food preservatives are used. Our main product group is jams in all sizes, from 28gr jars to 3kg buckets, but the very strength of Belberry is it’s wide assortment, from jams to fruit vinegars and cheese parings chutneys, fruit sauces, ketchups, and preserved lemons.”
Jiji Mathews, culinary category manager at Chef Middle East, believes this partnership will raise the bar for the premium preserves and delicacies in the market.
“Since the inception of the company in 1995, Chef Middle East has been a pioneer in introducing high-quality gourmet products to our strong client base in the region. With a legacy of over 60 years of producing high quality fruit preserves, Belberry was an obvious choice to include in our portfolio. Their range comes as a complete solution by offering a full line of jams, honey, spreads, condiments, and spreads for the front of house and back of house offerings. The brand ensures premium quality that hotels and restaurants would be proud to offer,” Mathews said.
Referring to a report issued by Al Masah Capital, the GCC’s foodservice sector is expected to grow at an annual rate of 8% to reach USD 29.3 billion by 2020. The restaurant industry being one of the fastest growing sectors in the region, has marked a significant growth in the past few years to be valued, in the UAE alone, at USD 13.2 billion.
Based on these numbers and with an abundance of confidence, both companies foresee a flourishing growth on the market for the years to come.
Chef Middle East looks forward to developing its partnerships, enriching its brands and products portfolio, and maintaining excellence in service quality to remain the preferred one-stop solution foodservice distributor in the market.
Both companies have also announced their participation at Gulfood 2019 from the 17-21 of February 2019 at Dubai World Trade Centre. Chef Middle East will be at stand number 651, Hall 6 and Belberry Preserves at S2-C57 Sheikh Saeed Halls, Belgian pavilion.
