Gulfood 2026: Mohammed Bin Rashid Visits Dubai's Global Food Expo And Innovation Hub
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, visited Gulfood 2026 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre and Dubai World Trade Centre. The 31st edition recorded its largest scale, hosting more than 8,500 exhibitors from around 195 countries and displaying over 1.5 million products across the global food industry.
Gulfood 2026 ran across more than 280,000 square metres at the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai and the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event underlined its status as a major food and beverage sourcing platform, while also being the first exhibition hosted at the newly expanded Dubai Exhibition Centre, a key venue for future large-scale events.
The $2.7 billion expansion of the Dubai Exhibition Centre provided the backdrop for Gulfood 2026, which has doubled in overall size and influence compared with earlier editions. The enlarged venue supported Dubai’s long-term economic strategy for leadership in macroeconomic planning, multilateral trade and international connectivity, reinforcing the emirate’s position as a preferred host for globally significant events.
| Gulfood 2026 Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Edition | 31st |
| Total area | Over 280,000 square metres |
| Exhibitors | Over 8,500 |
| Participating countries | Around 195 |
| Products showcased | More than 1.5 million |
| Dubai Exhibition Centre expansion cost | $2.7 billion |
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid stated that the UAE continued to consolidate its role as a global hub for trade and industry and as an international platform linking markets, producers and innovators. His Highness highlighted the country’s focus on international cooperation in the food sector, describing it as essential to global economic stability and wider food security.
His Highness also noted that the food sector’s future depended on innovation, advanced technologies and improved market efficiency. His Highness emphasised that the UAE remained dedicated to building a resilient economic system that supported vital sectors, encouraged an open climate for ideas and quality investments, and turned challenges into development opportunities that benefit communities and societies.
Gulfood 2026 and Dubai’s role in sustainable solutions
His Highness explained that Dubai would continue functioning as a global meeting point for integrated efforts and the creation of solutions across strategic sectors. His Highness said that the city aimed to enable sustainable solutions that improve quality of life, based on a vision where cooperation and innovation shape the future and strengthen Dubai’s role in the global economy.
During the tour of Gulfood 2026, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid was accompanied by H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. The delegation also included H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Helal Saeed Almarri.
Gulfood 2026 and global food industry participation
At various country pavilions, His Highness received briefings on diverse food products and innovative food solutions presented by participating companies. The exhibits demonstrated the breadth of global markets and underlined Gulfood 2026’s central role in supporting international food trade, enhancing supply chain efficiency and connecting producers with buyers from multiple regions and segments of the industry.
The visit programme included the pavilions of the United States, Russia, Türkiye, Italy, India, Spain and Ukraine. His Highness closely reviewed food industries and agricultural products, along with food processing activities. Presentations also covered advances in product quality, manufacturing techniques and export capabilities achieved by companies from these markets.
His Highness also visited the pavilions of Saudi Arabia and Egypt, where teams outlined new trends and technological developments shaping the food sector. Exhibitors highlighted how advanced technologies supported sector sustainability and strengthened competitiveness across regional and global markets, reflecting ongoing efforts to align production, logistics and trade practices with long-term environmental and economic priorities.
Gulfood 2026 represented its most internationally diverse edition, acting as a unified platform for the world’s food economies and major producers. Countries such as Egypt, India, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Türkiye and the United States enhanced their presence, while Libya, Luxembourg, Rwanda, Slovakia, Sweden and Uganda participated for the first time, helping broaden global food trade routes and connections.
With inputs from WAM
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