Gulfood’s 31st show aims to be the biggest sourcing event of 2026
Credit: Gulfood
The global food and beverage industry is entering an era of change, powered by the convergence of health, technology, sustainability, transparent sourcing and AI-enabled performance. With the global food & beverages market projected to hit $11.37 (€9.69) trillion by 2030, combined with the MENA region recording the world’s fastest F&B growth rate, businesses are seeking platforms that provide scale, intelligence and cross-border opportunity.
Gulfood 2026 will accommodate 8,500+ exhibitors, 1.5 million+ products and participation from 195 countries. The 31st edition is set to transform Dubai into the global headquarters of the food economy. It 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, Dubai Holding, ICEX Spain Trade and Investment, Meat & Livestock Australia, National Aquaculture Group (NAQUA) Kingdom of Saudi Arabia along with major industry powerhouses Americana, Barakat, BRF, Camelicious, Fresh Del Monte, Fage, JBS, Maersk, Monin and Oatly, as well as investors and a dynamic mix of buyers, distributors, wholesalers and innovative startups poised to scale into global brands.
Mark Napier, vice president Exhibitions Department, Dubai World Trade Centre, stated: “Expanding its reach across five new sectors, Gulfood becomes the only truly complete platform for the entire food and beverage ecosystem. An unmissable destination for every brand serious about growth, innovation and global market access. We look forward to welcoming forward-thinking partners, igniting a new era for the industry.”
For the first time ever, a sourcing event will run at full scale across Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City Dubai, expanding the show to 240,000 sqm. This dual-venue expansion enables buyers to source finished goods, fresh categories, commodities, national pavilions, innovations and next-generation technologies in a single, streamlined journey. It serves as a strategic anchor to extract greater value from adjacent, high-growth domains across the food ecosystem, unlocking powerful new opportunities for buyers, suppliers and investors.
The 2026 edition will also feature new exhibiting nations, including: Ghana, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kurdistan Region, Luxembourg, Maldives, Qatar, Rwanda, Slovakia, Sweden and Uganda. Meanwhile, some of Gulfood’s most influential pavilions, Egypt, India, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Türkiye and the USA will expand to their biggest footprints to date. New exhibitors will come from across the globe and every sector of the food ecosystem, including Choco, Bustanica, Farm Frites, MSC, Ostrich Oasis and RANA.
Dubai World Trade Centre will be home to 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, reflecting the explosive expansion of the global F&B startup ecosystem.
Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City Dubai will feature national pavilions, bulk commodity trade, strategic government delegations, procurement hubs and high-level global dialogue. It is also home to major categories, including Extended National Pavilions, Rice, Pulses & Grains, World Food and three new sectors, Gulfood Fresh, Gulfood Grocery Trade and Gulfood Logistics.
Anchored by the global dialogue shaping economic, regulatory and trade frameworks, DEC will set the stage for the Gulfood World Economy Summit, an event convening CEOs, policymakers, investors, visionaries, leading scientists, academics and leaders.
With its F&B market projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.4% through 2028, India enters Gulfood 2026 as the official country partner, delivering 600+ exhibitors. Leading exhibitors will be in attendance, including Amul, Everest, MDH, Mother Dairy, Rasna and many more.
