Dubai Achieves 100% Scaling Up in Food Trade with Gulfood 2026

The global food and beverage industry is entering a critical period of transformation shaped by a convergence of health, technology, sustainability, transparent sourcing, and AI-powered performance¹. With the global food and beverage market projected to reach US$11,37 trillion by 2030², growth is accelerating even further in MENA, the world's fastest-growing F&B region²,³. In this context, businesses need platforms that offer scale, intelligence, and cross-border opportunities.

At the heart of this transformation lies Dubai, one of the world's most interconnected trade hubs; a powerful global base for logistics, innovation, and the food systems of the future³. In this context, Gulfood 2026As the first and largest sourcing event of the year, its structure, spread across two mega event areas, will open up an unlimited space for discovery, opportunity and participation in the global food universe.

Gulfood 2026 will offer a unique scale to capture the macro trend advantage with over 8.500 exhibitors, more than 1,5 million products, and visitors from 195 countries. With its 31st edition, Dubai will transform into a global hub for an interconnected, smart food economy.

The event will bring together strategic institutions such as the Agricultural and Food Products Export Development Authority of India (APEDA), the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), Business France, the Canadian Trade Commissioner's Service, Dubai Holding, ICEX Spain Trade and Investment, Meat & Livestock Australia, and the Saudi Arabian National Seafood Group (NAQUA), as well as industry giants like Americana, Barakat, BRF, Camelicious, Fresh Del Monte, Fage, JBS, Maersk, Monin, and Oatly; along with investors, unicorn startups, buyers, distributors, wholesalers, and innovative startups with the potential to become global brands.

Mark Napier, Vice President of Exhibitions at Dubai World Trade Centre:

“Gulfood 2026 opens the global F&B calendar as the year’s first and most influential sourcing event, setting the industry’s strategic roadmap. As the first major international event held at the Dubai Exhibition Centre and Dubai World Trade Centre, it offers unprecedented scale and visibility. Expanding into five new sectors, Gulfood becomes the single platform encompassing the entire food and beverage ecosystem. It’s a must-see destination for all brands that value growth, innovation, and access to the global market. We look forward to welcoming all our forward-thinking stakeholders.”

100% Larger Scale: Two Mega Locations, One Global Food Universe

For the first time in the history of global food trade, a procurement event will be held simultaneously across both the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) (Expo City Dubai).

Spanning a total area of ​​240.000 m², Gulfood 2026 will create the largest F&B trade area in history.

This dual-space model will allow buyers to explore finished products, fresh categories, commodities, national pavilions, innovations, and next-generation technologies in a single seamless experience. It will function as a strategic hub to generate further value from adjacent high-growth areas of the food ecosystem.

The new participating countries in the 2026 edition will include:
Ghana, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kurdistan Region, Luxembourg, Maldives, Qatar, Rwanda, Slovakia, Sweden, and Uganda.

In addition, Egypt, India, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Türkiye, and the USA, which are among the strongest pavilions of the event, will be present with the largest exhibition areas in their history.
New participating brands include Choco, Bustanica, Farm Frites, MSC, Ostrich Oasis, and RANA.

Dubai is defining a new model for global food trade.

The Dubai World Trade Centre will host high-growth categories, retail leaders, and startup innovation. This area will include sections for Beverages, Dairy, Oils, Meat & Poultry, Strong Brands, along with Seafood and Gulfood Startups, two emerging sectors for 2026.

The Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) will host influential national pavilions from around the world, commodity trade, strategic government delegations, purchasing teams, and high-level global dialogue.
Key categories include: Expanded National Pavilions, Rice, Pulses & Grains, World Food, and three new sectors: Gulfood Fresh, Gulfood Grocery Trade, and Gulfood Logistics.

DEC will also host the Gulfood World Economy Summit. This special summit will bring together leaders with the capacity to reshape the global food economy, from CEOs and policymakers to investors, scientists, academics, and visionaries.

India is the Official Country Partner of Gulfood 2026.

With its F&B market projected to grow by 12,4% annually until 2028⁴, India will take its place with the most comprehensive participation yet as the Gulfood 2026 Official Country Partner.

With over 600 participating companies, it will showcase one of the world's most dynamic food production economies.
Prominent brands include Amul, Everest, MDH, Mother Dairy, Rasna, and many more.

All these platforms make Gulfood 2026 a focal point for strategic business networks, advanced insights, and strong commercial connections for stakeholders across the entire global food supply chain.

For more information and early registration: www.gulfood.com

About Gulfood

Gulfood 2026, taking place from January 26–30, represents the 31st edition of the world's largest and most influential F&B sourcing and innovation event.
With over 8.500 exhibitors, 195 countries, a total area of ​​240.000 m² across Dubai World Trade Centre and Expo City Dubai, and five new sectors, Gulfood 2026 further strengthens Dubai's position as a global food trade and food intelligence hub.

Contact:

Orient Planet Group (OPG)
Tel: 971 4 4562888
Email: media@orientplanet.com

Website: www.orientplanet.com

Gulfood Digital Channels:

Website: https://www.gulfood.com/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/gulfood
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gulfood

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Gulfood

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gulfood6596

X: https://x.com/gulfood

Kaynaklar:

Top Ten Food and Beverage Trends 2025

Food and Beverage Market Size, Share & 2030 Trends Report

Navigating the Future: How UAE Food Distributors Are Transforming the Middle East Supply Chain

India's Food and Beverage (F&B) Sector Analysis [2025]

Source: HORECA TREND and Gulfood