By Desmond Nleya
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The United Republic of Tanzania has made a strong and strategic appearance at Gulfood 2026, the world’s largest and most influential food and beverage exhibition, currently underway at Dubai Expo.
The country’s participation underscores Tanzania’s growing prominence in global food systems and its ambition to deepen trade linkages with international markets.
Leading Tanzania’s delegation is the Ministry of Agriculture, represented through the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA), whose presence at Gulfood signals the government’s commitment to positioning Tanzania as a reliable contributor to global food security. NFRA’s participation highlights the country’s capacity in grain reserves, food supply management, and sustainable agricultural production.
Also flying the Tanzanian flag at the prestigious exhibition are key cooperative and private sector players, including the Tanzania Federation of Cooperatives (TFC) through its Cooperative Village, Tanzania Cotton Cooperative , and KKL Limited. Together, these institutions present a unified national showcase of Tanzania’s diverse agricultural value chains, ranging from cereals and cotton to processed food products.
Gulfood 2026 provides a powerful platform for exhibitors to network, build partnerships, and showcase products to a global audience. The exhibition attracts thousands of buyers, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders, making it a critical marketplace for food trade, innovation, and policy dialogue.
For Tanzania, participation goes beyond exhibition space. It represents a strategic opportunity to bridge the gap between the global hospitality industry and Tanzania’s rapidly expanding, well-documented agricultural and food sector. With rising demand for ethically sourced, high-quality, and sustainably produced food, Tanzania’s agricultural products are increasingly aligning with global market expectations.
Officials and exhibitors from Tanzania are using the five-day event to engage directly with international stakeholders, explore export opportunities, and promote value addition across agricultural commodities. The presence of cooperative institutions also reflects Tanzania’s people-centred economic model, where farmers and producers are integrated into global value chains through structured, collective participation.
Gulfood 2026 brings together exhibitors from more than 195 countries, reinforcing its status as the most comprehensive food exhibition in the world. The event not only facilitates trade deals but also shapes conversations around food security, climate resilience, and sustainable supply chains—areas in which Tanzania continues to play an increasingly important role.
Through institutions such as NFRA, cooperative movements, and private enterprises, Tanzania is demonstrating that it is not merely a participant at Gulfood 2026, but an emerging force in the world’s food and agriculture landscape.
