The “Gulfood Manufacturing 2025” exhibition is set to take place once again at the Dubai World Trade Centre from November 4 to 6. This event has achieved an impressive growth rate of 32% compared to last year’s edition in 2024, making it the largest and most diverse iteration to date globally. The eleventh edition of the exhibition features 2,500 exhibitors from 79 countries spread across 21 halls, covering all aspects of the production value chain, which includes ingredients, manufacturing, packaging, supply chain solutions, control, and automation.
The Middle East has emerged as an attractive destination for investments, talent, and cutting-edge technologies, reshaping the global food production landscape. In light of geopolitical and economic shifts, manufacturers are moving operations to the UAE and GCC countries due to the region’s unparalleled logistics infrastructure, open trade routes, and advanced industrial policies. With Dubai ranked as the number one global destination for foreign direct investment projects, the “Gulfood Manufacturing” show is at the forefront of this economic transformation, fueling further growth in the food manufacturing sector across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Additionally, the region’s leadership in adopting artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, with an exceptional compound annual growth rate of 43.65% projected until 2033, positions the Middle East and North Africa as a leading force in AI-driven manufacturing.
The exhibition has strong participation from around 90% of world-renowned brands in the food manufacturing sector, including Chocolake, IMCD, Multivac Middle East FZ, and SIG, alongside a host of promising new innovators. This presence underscores Dubai’s growing status as a global hub for innovation and investment, driving industrial transformation in food production. Notably, this rapid expansion reflects the investment momentum in the region; GCC governments have committed over $3.8 billion to food technology and agricultural innovation, aimed at strengthening local manufacturing capabilities and achieving food security. Concurrently, the global market for food manufacturing machinery is expected to grow by $21.69 billion by 2029, driven by a shift towards AI-based automation and investment flows from the Asia-Pacific region.
Commenting on the exhibition’s significance, Mark Napier, Vice President of Exhibition Management at the Dubai World Trade Centre, stated: “Today, Dubai is perfectly positioned to lead global industrial transformation. Given the UAE’s pioneering role in adopting AI within manufacturing and aligned with the goals of the ‘Project 300 Billion’, the nation is ushering in a new era of advanced and smart production. As industries worldwide recalibrate towards technology-driven efficiency and sustainability, Dubai’s strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and ambitious vision make it the ideal destination for driving change. The ‘Gulfood Manufacturing’ exhibition lies at the heart of this evolution, reflecting the region’s exceptional growth as a pivotal manufacturing center fueled by AI.”
A Destination for Innovations Shaping the Future of the Sector
Global industry leaders consistently choose the “Gulfood Manufacturing” exhibition as a primary platform to unveil their most significant innovations that outline the future of the sector, clearly demonstrating the scale and growing influence of the event.
In the ingredients sector, major players such as ADM International, Brenntag, Chocolake, dsm-firmenich, FSL, Ingredion, Kerry MENAT DMCC, Symrise, Tate & Lyle, and Robertet Middle East are driving extraordinary growth this year. This edition will showcase new trends in the field, including groundbreaking achievements in bio-derived active ingredients, precision fermentation techniques, AI-based flavor profiling, and a new generation of food stabilizers, all reflecting a global shift towards more health-conscious and sustainable consumer patterns.
In the manufacturing and packaging sectors, leading companies such as Heat & Control, Husky, Ishida, KHS, Krones AG, Middleby Middle East FZE, Rieckermann GmbH, Sidel, and TNA Solutions are redefining the concept of smart manufacturing. The exhibition is expected to unveil breakthroughs, including IoT-enabled sensors, AI-driven vision systems that can reduce waste by up to 25%, modular machine designs, and innovative eco-friendly packaging solutions, all aimed at enhancing efficiency, intelligence, and sustainability across all production stages.
Sean Sims, Global Vice President of Automation and Solutions at Tetra Pak, remarked: “The ‘Gulfood Manufacturing’ exhibition is a pivotal event for us; it brings together a select group of visionary partners in the industry. We are proud to launch our new global portfolio of advanced and digital automation solutions aimed at accelerating smart factory readiness for AI adoption. These innovations will assist producers in the Middle East and beyond in digitizing their operations and maximizing resources while driving sustainable growth.”
FoodTech Summit: The Premier Global Gathering for Experts and Innovators
This year’s agenda features the FoodTech Summit, which will host 50% more new speakers, including experts from major firms like Mars, Titan Capital, Unilever, and Hive Capital, alongside leading technology specialists, policymakers, and innovators. They will come together to explore the future of the sector. Key discussions will address critical topics such as cold chain safety technologies in emerging markets, the future of food technology financing, and whether alternative proteins truly represent the next phase in the evolution of the global nutrition system.
Renowned AI leader and strategist, Mark Minevich, will demonstrate how intelligent adaptive systems are revolutionizing production, including innovative concepts such as live supply chains, super safety standards, achieving full efficiency without waste, and AI-led food sovereignty. These sessions combine knowledge and networking opportunities, paving the way for the next wave of industrial revolution while reinforcing the summit’s status as a leading global intellectual forum.