Dubai: Dubai is set to become the global headquarters for food trade as Gulfood 2026 delivers an expansive platform with a 100% increase in scale, suppliers, business, and innovation opportunities.
According to Emirates News Agency, the global food and beverage industry is entering a transformative era characterized by the convergence of health, technology, sustainability, transparent sourcing, and AI-enabled performance. The market is projected to reach $11.37 trillion by 2030, with the MENA region recording the fastest growth rate worldwide in the food and beverage sector. Against this backdrop, Dubai, as a leading trade hub, is poised to become the center of a connected, intelligent food economy.
Gulfood 2026, a major sourcing event, will accelerate this growth with over 8,500 exhibitors, 1.5 million products, and participants from 195 countries. This 31st edition of Gulfood is set to expand across two mega-venues, creating a platform for strategic government and industry alliances, including organizations from India, Brazil, Canada, Spain, Australia, and Saudi Arabia, among others.
Mark Napier, Vice President of the Exhibitions Department at Dubai World Trade Centre, highlighted that Gulfood 2026 will open the global food and beverage calendar as the most influential sourcing event of the year. Expanding its reach across five new sectors, it becomes a comprehensive platform for the entire food and beverage ecosystem.
The event will be the first of its kind to operate at full scale across the Dubai World Trade Centre and the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai, covering 240,000 sqm. This dual-venue expansion facilitates a streamlined journey for buyers to source a range of products and innovations, creating new opportunities within the food ecosystem.
Gulfood 2026 will also introduce new exhibiting nations such as Ghana, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, and others, while major pavilions from countries like Egypt, India, and the USA will expand their presence. The event will feature exhibitors from various sectors, including new companies like Choco and Bustanica.
The Dubai World Trade Centre will host sectors like Beverages, Dairy, and Meat and Poultry, while the Dubai Exhibition Centre will feature national pavilions, bulk commodity trade, and high-level global dialogue, setting the stage for the Gulfood World Economy Summit. This summit will convene CEOs, policymakers, investors, and leaders to discuss the future of the global food economy.