Dubai Becomes Global Food Trade Hub as Gulfood 2026 Doubles in Scale Across Two Mega Venues
Dubai is cementing its position as the world’s most influential hub for food trade and innovation as Gulfood 2026 prepares for its largest-ever edition, expanding by 100% across two mega venues: the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City Dubai.
The 31st edition of Gulfood will welcome 8,500+ exhibitors, more than 1.5 million products, and representation from 195 countries, marking the most extensive sourcing platform in the global F&B calendar and reinforcing Dubai’s leadership in a rapidly transforming food economy driven by technology, sustainability, transparent sourcing and AI-powered intelligence.
The event will host leading government delegations and strategic trade alliances including: APEDA India, ApexBrasil, Business France, Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, Dubai Holding, ICEX Spain Trade & Investment, Meat & Livestock Australia, and NAQUA Saudi Arabia, alongside major global industry names such as Americana, Barakat, BRF, Camelicious, Fresh Del Monte, Fage, JBS, Maersk, Monin and Oatly. The ecosystem also includes investors, unicorns, high-volume buyers, distributors, logistics specialists and fast-growing startups.
Mark Napier, Vice President of Exhibitions at Dubai World Trade Centre, commented:
“Gulfood 2026 opens the global F&B calendar as the first and most influential sourcing event of the year, shaping strategic direction for the sector. With a dual-venue format and new sectors, Gulfood becomes the only fully integrated platform for the entire global food ecosystem. It provides unmatched access for brands seeking growth, innovation and international market visibility.”
Record Scale and Seamless Connectivity
For the first time in global food trade history, Gulfood will run at full operational scale across DWTC and DEC, covering 240,000 sqm — the largest footprint ever assembled for an F&B trade event.
This expansion enables a unified sourcing experience across commodities, fresh products, global brands, national pavilions, processing technologies, and startup innovation — offering a single, intelligently connected marketplace designed to generate stronger commercial outcomes and cross-border partnerships.
New participating nations include Ghana, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kurdistan Region, Luxembourg, Maldives, Qatar, Rwanda, Slovakia, Sweden and Uganda, while national pavilions from Egypt, India, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Türkiye and the USA will expand to their largest-ever presence. New exhibitors span all domains of the food chain, including Choco, Bustanica, Farm Frites, MSC, Ostrich Oasis and RANA.
Two Venues, Distinct Roles – One Connected Food Economy
DWTC will feature high-growth categories including Beverages, Dairy, Fats & Oils, Meat & Poultry, Power Brands, plus Seafood and Gulfood Startups.
DEC will host the world’s most advanced national pavilions, bulk commodity trade, high-level government delegations, procurement hubs and strategic dialogue. The venue introduces additional sectors including Gulfood Fresh, Gulfood Grocery Trade, and Gulfood Logistics, supporting the full value chain from farm to distribution.
DEC will also host the Gulfood World Economy Summit, convening CEOs, policymakers, economists, investors, supply-chain leaders and academics to shape future economic and regulatory frameworks for the global food ecosystem.
India Named Official Country Partner
India joins Gulfood 2026 as Official Country Partner, presenting its largest delegation with 600+ exhibitors from one of the world’s most dynamic and fast-growing food economies, projected to expand at a 12.4% CAGR through 2028. Leading brands such as Amul, Everest, MDH, Mother Dairy and Rasna will headline the Indian pavilion.