Over the decades, Gulfood has grown into a strategic business event that reflects the evolving priorities of the food industry—from supply chain resilience and food security to innovation, sustainability, and changing consumer demands. By connecting the entire value chain under one roof, the exhibition plays a critical role in advancing the business of food, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a gateway to regional and global markets, and setting the agenda for the future of the industry.

The origins of Gulfood: From regional idea to global platform

Gulfood began as a simple idea: to position Dubai as an annual meeting point for food traders and producers from East and West. Its first edition was held in 1987, at a relatively modest scale compared to today. Over time, it expanded rapidly, mirroring Dubai’s own evolution into a global hub for trade, re-export, and logistics. What started as a regional exhibition gradually became one of the most influential global gatherings for the food and beverage sector.

Gulfood as a global business marketplace

Gulfood evolved from a product showcase into a global business platform. It is now a place where manufacturers, exporters, distributors, retailers, hospitality groups, investors, and government and trade bodies come together with a clear objective: to do business. Deals are negotiated, partnerships are formed, and market entry strategies are shaped. This is why Gulfood is widely regarded as one of the world’s largest and most important annual trade events dedicated to food and beverages.

Why Gulfood matters in the world of business

From a business perspective, Gulfood functions as a high-intensity global marketplace compressed into a few days. Companies attend not only to promote their products, but to sign distribution agreements, assess real market demand through direct engagement with buyers, benchmark pricing and innovation, and strengthen supply chains. Particularly in recent years—amid global supply disruptions and shifting consumer behaviour—Gulfood has become a strategic venue for building resilient, diversified trade networks. For many brands, it serves as a gateway to the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, leveraging Dubai’s advanced logistics and connectivity.

Gulfood’s role in shaping the food industry

Within the food industry itself, Gulfood’s significance lies in its ability to bring together the entire value chain in one place. This includes raw ingredients, finished food and beverage products, packaging solutions, food innovation, sustainability initiatives, and emerging trends such as plant-based alternatives and food technologies. In recent editions, themes like sustainability, food security, and innovation have become increasingly central to the exhibition’s agenda, reflecting the industry’s future priorities.

Growth and expansion: Gulfood’s Two-Venue future

A clear indicator of Gulfood’s scale and influence is its expansion in 2026, when it will be hosted across two major venues for the first time:

Dubai World Trade Centre
Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai.

It is worth mentioning that Expo City Dubai hosts a number of diverse and distinctive events that attract visitors and thousands of Dubai residents.This expansion is not merely logistical; it signals the growing global demand to participate in Gulfood and reinforces Dubai’s position as a leading international hub for food trade, commodities, and supply chain ecosystems.

Gulfood vs Gulfood Manufacturing: Two sides of the same industry

Finally, it is important to distinguish between Gulfood and Gulfood Manufacturing.

Gulfood focuses primarily on trade, buyers, products, and distribution, representing the market-facing side of the industry.
Gulfood Manufacturing, on the other hand, concentrates on production, processing, machinery, packaging, and industrial technology.

Together, they represent both ends of the food industry spectrum: from how food is produced to how it is traded, sold, and consumed worldwide.

"Work well during Ramadan". How companies achieve productivity?

Hag Al Laila in the UAE: Meaning, history and cultural significance

The power of a clear mind: a reflection for a better mental health