By Desmond Nleya
Dubai, United Arab Emirates — The much-anticipated Gulfood 2026 has officially begun today, January 26, launching one of the most significant events on the global food and beverage calendar. Running through January 30, 2026, the five-day expo brings together food producers, innovators, buyers, policymakers and industry leaders from around the world.
Celebrating its 31st edition, Gulfood 2026 takes place at two major venues simultaneously — the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City Dubai — marking the event’s most ambitious expansion to date.
🍽️ A Global Food Marketplace Like No Other
Spanning over 280,000 square metres of exhibition space, Gulfood 2026 is the largest food and beverage sourcing event in the world. More than 8,500 exhibitors from nearly 200 countries are showcasing an estimated 1.5 million products, ranging from beverages, dairy, grains and meat to cutting-edge food-tech innovations.
For the first time in its history, the show’s footprint is so large that it operates across two venues in tandem, putting Dubai at the heart of global food trade and reinforcing its status as a strategic gateway for sourcing, distribution and supply-chain partnerships.
New Themes, New Sectors, New Opportunities
The 2026 edition introduces several new themed sectors, reflecting the evolving priorities of the global food industry:
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Gulfood Fresh — spotlighting fresh produce and perishable supply chains.
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Gulfood Logistics — focused on cold-chain solutions and resilient distribution networks.
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Gulfood Grocery Trade — serving retail and fast-moving consumer goods.
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Gulfood Startups — elevating emerging food-tech companies and innovations.
These additions mirror shifting industry trends around sustainability, food security, supply resilience and next-generation innovation.
🇮🇳 India Takes Centre Stage
This year’s event also features India as the Official Country Partner, with one of its largest ever delegations on display. Over 160 Indian agricultural and food companies from 25 states are participating, showcasing everything from processed foods and frozen products to pulses and agritech solutions.
🔗 Beyond Products — Business, Insights and Innovation
While product displays are a major draw, Gulfood 2026 also delivers powerful networking and business matchmaking initiatives such as the Big Deal Hub, which connects suppliers with global buyers and procurement leaders to negotiate commercial deals on-site.
In addition, talks, workshops and panel sessions explore global food policy, digital transformation, sustainability strategies, supply-chain resilience and future markets, offering insights that shape industry strategy well beyond the exhibition halls.
When & Where
📍 Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) & Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC)
📅 January 26–30, 2026
🕐 Daily sessions typically run from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
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