The global food and beverage industry is undergoing significant transformation driven by health, technology, sustainability, transparent sourcing, and AI-enabled performance. With the global F&B market projected to reach $11.37 trillion by 2030, and the MENA region experiencing the world's fastest growth rate, businesses increasingly require platforms offering scale, intelligence, and cross-border opportunities. Dubai, recognized as a connected trade hub and innovation center, is positioned at the center of this momentum.
Gulfood 2026, scheduled for January 26-30, will be the first major sourcing event of the year, expanding across two mega-venues: Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai. This expansion creates a 240,000 sqm footprint, the largest ever assembled for an F&B trade event, featuring 8,500+ exhibitors, 1.5 million+ products, and participation from 195 countries. The event will host strategic alliances with organizations including Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) India, Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), Business France, and major industry players like Americana, Barakat, BRF, and Oatly.
Mark Napier, Vice President Exhibitions Department at Dubai World Trade Centre, stated that Gulfood 2026 sets the industry's strategic direction as the first major international event to activate both venues, delivering unprecedented scale and visibility. The expansion across five new sectors makes it a complete platform for the entire food and beverage ecosystem, serving as an essential destination for brands focused on growth, innovation, and global market access.
The dual-venue approach enables buyers to source finished goods, fresh categories, commodities, national pavilions, and next-generation technologies in a streamlined journey. Dubai World Trade Centre will host sectors including Beverages, Dairy, Meat & Poultry, and two new sectors for 2026: Seafood and Gulfood Startups. Dubai Exhibition Centre will feature national pavilions, bulk commodity trade, government delegations, and new sectors: Gulfood Fresh, Gulfood Grocery Trade, and Gulfood Logistics. It will also host the Gulfood World Economy Summit, convening CEOs, policymakers, investors, and leaders to shape economic and trade frameworks.
New exhibiting nations at Gulfood 2026 include Ghana, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, and Rwanda, while major pavilions from Egypt, India, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Türkiye, and the USA will expand to their largest footprints. India serves as the Official Country Partner, with its F&B market projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.4% through 2028, delivering its largest-ever presence with 600+ exhibitors including Amul, Everest, and MDH. For more information, visit https://www.gulfood.com.
This expansion reinforces Dubai's position as the global headquarters for food trade and intelligence, creating a powerful ecosystem for strategic networking and commercially meaningful connections across the global food value chain. The event's scale and international participation reflect broader industry trends documented in reports such as the Top Ten Food and Beverage Trends 2025 and analysis of market growth, including insights from Food and Beverage Market Size, Share & 2030 Trends Report. The transformation of regional supply chains, as noted in Navigating the Future: How UAE Food Distributors Are Transforming the Middle East Supply Chain, further contextualizes Dubai's evolving role in the global food economy.
