UAE: Sheikh Mohammed visits largest ever Gulfood 2026 in Dubai
Over 8,500 exhibitors present 1.5 million products from 195 countries
DUBAI – His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, today visited the 31st edition of Gulfood, marking the largest edition in the history of the world’s leading food and beverage sourcing event.
The visit took place at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai, which hosted Gulfood for the first time, signalling a milestone for Dubai’s exhibition sector.
Gulfood 2026 runs until 30 January across more than 280,000 square metres at the Dubai World Trade Centre and the Dubai Exhibition Centre, with participation from over 8,500 exhibitors representing 195 countries. The event features more than 1.5 million products spanning the global food industry, reinforcing its status as a leading platform for growth, innovation and international trade.
Gulfood 2026
During his visit, Sheikh Mohammed affirmed that the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a global hub for trade and industry, serving as an international platform connecting markets, producers and innovators. He highlighted the role of Dubai as a centre for integrated efforts in strategic sectors and the development of sustainable solutions that enhance quality of life.
“The future of the food sector depends on the ability to innovate, adopt advanced technologies and enhance market efficiency,” Sheikh Mohammed said. He emphasised the UAE’s commitment to fostering a resilient economic ecosystem that enables key sectors to grow and provides an open environment for ideas and investments, turning challenges into opportunities benefiting communities and societies.
Pivotal tour
Sheikh Mohammed’s tour of the exhibition included visits to several national pavilions, where he reviewed food products and innovative solutions reflecting the diversity of global markets. He was briefed on the exhibition’s role in supporting food trade and enhancing supply chain efficiency.
The visit encompassed the pavilions of the United States, Russia, Türkiye, Italy, India, Spain and Ukraine, focusing on food industries, agricultural products, food processing technologies, and advancements in quality, manufacturing and export capabilities. He also visited the Saudi Arabian and Egyptian pavilions, observing the latest trends and innovations in the food sector, as well as applications of advanced technologies to support sustainability and competitiveness in regional and global markets.
He was accompanied by senior UAE officials including Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai; Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee; and Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai World Trade Centre Authority and Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
Long-term vision
Gulfood 2026 represents an integrated ecosystem on a scale unmatched globally, having doubled in size and impact. The Dh2.7 billion expansion of the Dubai Exhibition Centre reflects Dubai’s long-term vision for macroeconomic leadership, multilateral trade and global connectivity, further strengthening the emirate’s position as a premier destination for events with global influence.
This edition of Gulfood is the most globally representative to date, with major producing markets such as Egypt, India, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Türkiye and the United States expanding their brand presence. First-time participants include Libya, Luxembourg, Rwanda, Slovakia, Sweden and Uganda, supporting the expansion of international trade pathways and reinforcing Gulfood’s role as a unified platform for the world’s food economies.