Gulfood 2026

January 25, 2026 - January 29, 2026
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

About Gulfood

World’s largest annual food and hospitality show, connecting global suppliers and buyers across sectors.

Event Description

Gulfood 2026: The World's Largest Food and Hospitality Trade Show Expands Across Two Iconic Dubai Venues

Gulfood 2026, taking place from January 26 to January 30, 2026, at Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre at Dubai Expo City in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, represents the largest and most expansive edition in the event's distinguished history. For the first time, this monumental food trade exhibition spans two major venues, effectively doubling the floor space and creating dual access hubs with seamless connectivity that redefines the global food trade experience. With over 100,000 expected attendees, Gulfood 2026 establishes itself as the world's premier destination for food and hospitality industry professionals seeking to navigate the evolving landscape of global food commerce.

This historic expansion of Gulfood 2026 positions the event as an unprecedented platform for innovation, sourcing, and business development within the international food sector. The dual-venue format reflects the show's commitment to accommodating the growing demands of an industry facing new global trade challenges and sustainability imperatives, while providing exhibitors and visitors with an enhanced, future-ready experience.

Unparalleled Scale and Comprehensive Industry Coverage

Gulfood 2026 hosts over 8,500 exhibitors from 195 countries, showcasing more than 1.5 million products across 12 comprehensive sectors. The event introduces groundbreaking new verticals including Fresh Produce, Startups, Logistics, Grocery Trade, and a dedicated tech vertical focusing on future food innovation. This diverse representation ensures that every segment of the food and hospitality supply chain is thoroughly covered, from farm to fork and beyond.

Among the signature features of Gulfood 2026 is the Gulfood World Economy Summit at Expo City, which convenes global CEOs, government ministers, and industry visionaries to collaboratively redefine food business strategies for the future. Simultaneously, the Future Food 500 knowledge hub at the Trade Centre spotlights food industry disruptors and examines the digital evolution transforming how the world produces, distributes, and consumes food.

Innovation takes center stage with the launch of the Gulfood NXT Stage, providing startups with a premier platform to pitch breakthrough innovations to industry leaders. The Startup Investor Lounge further facilitates connections between investors and emerging food pioneers, creating opportunities for funding and strategic partnerships that will shape tomorrow's food landscape.

Why Attend Gulfood 2026

Attending Gulfood 2026 provides unmatched opportunities for business development, networking, and knowledge acquisition within the global food industry. The event's comprehensive approach addresses critical industry challenges including sustainability, supply chain resilience, digital transformation, and changing consumer preferences. Food manufacturers, distributors, retailers, hospitality professionals, and investors will discover innovative solutions, forge strategic partnerships, and gain insights into emerging markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

The dual-venue format of Gulfood 2026 enhances the visitor experience by providing specialized zones that allow attendees to efficiently navigate their areas of interest while maintaining access to the full spectrum of food industry innovations. The seamless connectivity between Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre at Dubai Expo City ensures that participants can maximize their time and explore the complete breadth of offerings without logistical challenges.

Beyond sourcing and networking, Gulfood 2026 serves as an essential intelligence-gathering platform where industry professionals can stay ahead of market trends, regulatory developments, and technological innovations that will define the future of food commerce. The concentrated presence of global decision-makers creates an environment where transformative deals are negotiated and long-term industry relationships are established.

World-Class Venues in Dubai's Premier Business District

The strategic utilization of both Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre at Dubai Expo City in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, provides Gulfood 2026 with state-of-the-art infrastructure and world-class facilities. Dubai's position as a global logistics hub and gateway between East and West makes it the ideal location for an international food trade event of this magnitude. The city's exceptional connectivity, hospitality infrastructure, and business-friendly environment ensure that participants from around the world can attend seamlessly.

Register for Gulfood 2026

Don't miss the opportunity to participate in the most comprehensive food trade event in the world. Visit https://www.gulfood.com/ to register for Gulfood 2026, explore the exhibitor list, plan your visit, and discover how this groundbreaking event can transform your food business strategy for the future.

Event Stats

100,000
Expected Attendees

Show Highlights

Gulfood 2026 represents the largest and most expansive edition in the event's history, featuring groundbreaking innovations across two major venues. For the first time, the show spans both Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai, doubling the floor space and creating dual access hubs with seamless connectivity.
  • Over 8,500 exhibitors from 195 countries showcasing more than 1.5 million products across 12 specialized sectors
  • Gulfood World Economy Summit at Expo City bringing together global CEOs, ministers, and visionaries to redefine food business strategies
  • Future Food 500 knowledge hub at the Trade Centre spotlighting food industry disruptors and digital evolution
  • Gulfood NXT Stage providing a platform for startups to pitch innovations to industry leaders
  • Startup Investor Lounge connecting investors with emerging food pioneers and breakthrough technologies
  • New verticals including Fresh Produce, Startups, Logistics, and Grocery Trade addressing evolving market demands
The show addresses critical challenges in the evolving food economy under new global trade dynamics and sustainability imperatives, positioning itself as a future-ready comprehensive sourcing and innovation event.

Key Topics

  • Future Food Innovation and Technology
  • Fresh Produce and Agricultural Products
  • Food Startup Innovations and Investment
  • Global Food Trade and Logistics
  • Grocery Trade and Retail Solutions
  • Food Industry Digital Evolution
  • Sustainable Food Practices
  • Hospitality and Food Service
  • Food Economy Summit Strategies
  • Supply Chain and Distribution

Who Should Attend

Gulfood 2026 targets a comprehensive ecosystem of food industry professionals spanning the entire value chain from production to consumption. The primary audience includes food and beverage buyers, distributors, and procurement specialists seeking innovative products and reliable suppliers from global markets. Restaurant owners, hotel chains, and hospitality professionals form a significant segment, alongside retail grocery executives and food service operators. Technology innovators, startup founders, and investment professionals represent the forward-looking segment focused on food industry disruption and digital transformation. Government officials, trade ministers, and policy makers constitute the strategic audience addressing global food trade challenges and sustainability imperatives. Fresh produce specialists, logistics providers, and supply chain managers represent emerging verticals gaining prominence in modern food distribution. The audience spans 195 countries, reflecting Gulfood's position as the definitive global platform for food trade, innovation, and business development in the evolving food economy.
Gulfood 2026 is essential for food industry professionals seeking to navigate the evolving global food economy and discover cutting-edge innovations. Food and beverage buyers, procurement managers, and sourcing directors will find unparalleled access to over 1.5 million products from 8,500 exhibitors across 195 countries. Restaurant owners, hotel managers, and hospitality executives should attend to explore new culinary trends and establish supplier relationships that will enhance their operations. Retail grocery managers, supermarket chains, and food service distributors will benefit from the expanded Grocery Trade vertical and comprehensive product showcases across 12 specialized sectors. Technology leaders, food innovation managers, and R&D executives will gain valuable insights from the Future Food 500 knowledge hub and tech verticals focusing on future food innovation. Investment professionals and venture capitalists should participate in the Startup Investor Lounge to connect with emerging food pioneers and identify promising opportunities. Government officials, trade ministers, and policy makers will find value in the Gulfood World Economy Summit, where global CEOs and visionaries gather to redefine food business strategies under new trade challenges and sustainability imperatives. Fresh produce buyers, logistics managers, and supply chain executives will particularly benefit from the new verticals dedicated to Fresh Produce and Logistics, addressing critical aspects of modern food distribution and sustainability requirements in today's dynamic marketplace.

Who Should Exhibit

Gulfood 2026 offers an unprecedented platform for companies across the food and hospitality value chain to showcase their innovations to a global audience. Food manufacturers, processors, and producers should exhibit to access buyers from 195 countries and demonstrate their products across the show's 12 specialized sectors. Technology companies developing solutions for food production, processing, and distribution will find exceptional opportunities in the tech verticals focusing on future food innovation and digital evolution. Fresh produce growers, distributors, and suppliers should leverage the new Fresh Produce vertical to connect with international buyers seeking quality agricultural products. Food startups and emerging companies will benefit from the Gulfood NXT Stage, providing a unique platform to pitch innovations to industry leaders and potential investors. Logistics companies, supply chain solution providers, and transportation firms should participate in the new Logistics vertical to showcase their capabilities to food industry clients facing evolving distribution challenges. Equipment manufacturers, packaging companies, and food service providers will find valuable networking opportunities across both venue locations at Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City. Ingredient suppliers, specialty food producers, and beverage manufacturers can capitalize on the expanded floor space and dual access hubs to reach new markets. Companies focused on sustainability, food safety, and regulatory compliance should exhibit to address the industry's growing emphasis on sustainable practices and evolving global trade requirements in today's dynamic food economy.

Quick Info

Venue
Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre at Dubai Expo City
Location
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Show Status
Confirmed
Last Updated
Dec 4, 2025