Global Food Week 2025 Concludes With Historic AED 6.6 Billion In Deals And Innovations

The largest Global Food Week concluded in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant milestone with 58 agreements worth AED6.6 billion, a 6.5% rise from the previous year. Organised by ADNEC Group and partners like ADAFSA and ADIO, the event featured major exhibitions such as the Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition and the Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition, alongside new initiatives like Global Food Talks and the AgriTech Forum.

Over three days, more than 40,108 attendees visited Global Food Week, a 16% increase from 2024. Visitors explored the latest food and beverage offerings from local and international exhibitors. The enhanced Hosted Buyers Programme connected exhibitors with 400 pre-qualified buyers for tailored networking, maximising exhibitor exposure and value for participants.

The AgriTech Forum debuted at Global Food Week to empower global food producers and farmers. It aimed to connect stakeholders and advance UAE's vision for food sustainability. The opening day included discussions on innovation across agriculture stages. On the second day, the Agricultural Investment Forum launched to promote sustainable development and strengthen food security.

The Agricultural Investment Forum highlighted over 30 investment opportunities to foster sustainable growth in agriculture. Educational sessions showcased success stories from across the UAE. The third day focused on farming and scientific research, with experts presenting studies supporting food security in arid environments.

Global Food Week introduced new features like the PALT initiative by ADIO, showcasing innovations in plant-based proteins. Industry pioneers discussed technologies shaping this sector's future. The Farmers Zone provided local farmers a platform to showcase Emirati produce's diversity, highlighting their role in strengthening UAE’s food security.

Local farmers were honoured at the Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Pavilion. Over 150 outstanding farmers, livestock breeders, and honey producers were celebrated for their contributions to UAE’s agricultural excellence.

Culinary Highlights and Competitions

The National Cup Tasters Championship was a highlight of Global Food Week. Organised by the Speciality Coffee Association of the UAE, it featured 48 participants identifying coffee types from samples. Adeola Peter Akingbade from Laura Coffee won, showcasing UAE cup tasters' skills globally.

The World Gourmet Show offered an interactive experience where visitors learned cooking techniques from Michelin-starred chefs through live demonstrations. Attendees engaged with culinary experts, discovering new flavours and enhancing their cooking skills.

Global Food Week 2025 demonstrated a commitment to future food security by leveraging Abu Dhabi's strategic position as an agricultural innovation hub. It showcased UAE’s leadership in food resilience and its role as a global hub for sourcing, investment, and innovation in the food sector.

With inputs from WAM