40% of Exhibitors Are First-Time Participants
1.5 Million Products Across 280,000 Square Meters
Today, Dubai launches the “Gulfood 2026” exhibition, the largest annual global event in the food and beverage sector. This edition is the first to take place simultaneously at two major venues: the Dubai World Trade Centre and the newly expanded Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai.
The exhibition, running until January 30, 2026, will feature more than 8,500 exhibitors showcasing over 1.5 million products, with significant international participation from 195 countries.
Gulfood 2026 marks a substantial increase in available space, with both venues completely booked, exceeding 280,000 square meters. This event also officially unveils the $2.7 billion expansion of the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai.
This year’s edition sees 40% of exhibitors participating for the first time, alongside the largest national presence to date from major producing countries.
Diverse Platforms
During the exhibition, a range of innovative platforms and initiatives will be launched, including “Gulfood Startups,” a global platform designed to support high-growth food tech companies in Dubai and enable them to expand internationally.
Other initiatives include “Gulfood for Grocery Trade,” which is specifically tailored to benefit the fast-moving consumer goods sector and grocery brands, crucial drivers of the regional food economy.
Logistics Services
Additionally, “Gulfood Logistics” will be introduced, at a time when the global logistics and transportation market is projected to grow from $9.4 trillion in 2024 to $23 trillion by 2035, underscoring the strategic importance of logistics in global trade and food supply chains.
The UAE has established itself as the largest logistics hub in the Middle East, accounting for approximately 30% of logistics activities in the GCC countries and contributing around 8% to the GDP.
Startup Companies
The “Gulfood Startups” platform aims to bring together over 250 thought leaders and innovators to unveil unprecedented advancements across the entire food value chain, from production to market. This includes next-generation proteins, precision fermentation, Plant-Based 3.0 innovations, water-based frying technologies, and AI-driven predictive food intelligence, along with automated supply chain systems.
A selection of innovative companies, such as ANT Systems Nanotechnology, Brad Technology, Choco, Onego Bio, Polysense, and ZEEN Tech AG, will showcase groundbreaking solutions that redefine the intersection of food and technology.
The Dubai World Trade Centre will host rapidly growing sectors, leading retailers, and innovative startups across categories such as beverages, dairy, fats and oils, meats and poultry, along with global premium brands and two new sections dedicated to seafood and Gulfood startups, reflecting the rapid expansion of startups in the food and beverage industry.
Global Dialogue
Conversely, the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City will serve as a platform for high-level global dialogues and as a hub for the most innovative and impactful national pavilions, in addition to facilitating extensive goods trading and hosting government delegations and procurement centers.
It will feature major categories, including expanded national pavilions, rice, pulses and grains, global foods, and three new sections: Gulfood for Fresh Foods, Gulfood for Grocery Trade, and Gulfood Logistics.
The UAE has emerged as one of the most attractive global environments for launching and scaling food and beverage startups, with the market in this sector expected to reach approximately $44 billion by 2029, driven by rapid population growth, strong consumer demand, advanced regulatory frameworks, and ongoing government investments in food security, innovation, and sustainability.