The global food and beverage industry is undergoing significant transformation driven by health, technology, sustainability, transparent sourcing and AI-enabled performance. With the global food and beverages market projected to reach $11.37 trillion by 2030, and the MENA region recording the world's fastest F&B growth rate, businesses require platforms offering scale, intelligence and cross-border opportunities. Gulfood 2026 emerges as the first major sourcing event of the year, expanding across two venues to create what organizers describe as the global headquarters of a connected, intelligent food economy.
For the first time in global food trade history, a sourcing event will operate at full scale across both Dubai World Trade Centre and the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai. This expansion creates a 240,000 square meter footprint, the largest F&B trade event ever assembled. The dual-venue approach enables buyers to source finished goods, fresh categories, commodities, national pavilions, innovations and next-generation technologies in a single, streamlined journey. Mark Napier, Vice President Exhibitions Department at Dubai World Trade Centre, stated that Gulfood 2026 opens the global F&B calendar as the first and most influential sourcing event, setting the industry's strategic direction.
The 31st edition will feature over 8,500 exhibitors, 1.5 million products and participation from 195 countries. New exhibiting nations include Ghana, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kurdistan Region, Luxembourg, Maldives, Qatar, Rwanda, Slovakia, Sweden and Uganda. Major pavilions from Egypt, India, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Türkiye and the USA will expand to their largest footprints to date. The event will host multiple strategic government and industry alliances including Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) India, Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), Business France, Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, and Dubai Holding.
Dubai World Trade Centre will host high-growth sectors, retail powerhouses and startup innovation across Beverages, Dairy, Fats & Oils, Meat & Poultry, Power Brands and two new sectors for 2026: Seafood and Gulfood Startups. The Dubai Exhibition Centre will feature innovative national pavilions, bulk commodity trade, strategic government delegations, procurement hubs and high-level global dialogue. It will also host three new sectors: Gulfood Fresh, Gulfood Grocery Trade and Gulfood Logistics. The venue will anchor the Gulfood World Economy Summit, convening CEOs, policymakers, investors, scientists, academics and leaders to address global food economy challenges.
India enters as the Official Country Partner for Gulfood 2026, with its F&B market projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.4 percent through 2028. India will deliver its largest-ever presence with over 600 exhibitors, including leading companies such as Amul, Everest, MDH, Mother Dairy and Rasna. This partnership reflects India's position as one of the world's most dynamic food production economies. The event's expansion comes as industry trends emphasize the convergence of multiple factors shaping food systems, as detailed in reports like the Top Ten Food and Beverage Trends 2025 and analysis of market growth patterns.
The significance of Gulfood 2026 extends beyond its physical scale to its role in defining Dubai's position as a global trade hub. The event reinforces how UAE food distributors are transforming regional supply chains, as explored in analyses like Navigating the Future: How UAE Food Distributors Are Transforming the Middle East Supply Chain. With five first-time sectors and an expanded footprint, Gulfood 2026 creates what organizers describe as the only truly complete platform for the entire food and beverage ecosystem, serving as an essential destination for brands seeking growth, innovation and global market access in an increasingly complex industry landscape.
