Impact
A bigger and stronger platform
Gulfood 2026 set a new global benchmark for scale and commercial impact, operating seamlessly across two mega venues for the first time in its 31-year history. The show sold out 280,000 square metres of exhibition space at Dubai World Trade Centre and the newly expanded Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai, hosting 8,500+ exhibitors from 195 countries and close to 300,000 attendees. The dual-venue model enabled strategic sector segmentation: DEC focused on high-volume trade (World Food, Rice/Pulses/Grains) plus three new sectors (Gulfood Fresh, Gulfood Logistics, Grocery Trade), while DWTC hosted established categories including Beverages, Dairy, Meat & Poultry, Power Brands and Seafood – the latter receiving its own dedicated sector for the first time. Innovation was central, with the Gulfood Startups sector featuring 250+ startups from 30+ countries and the inaugural World Agri-Foodtech Startup Challenge offering a USD 135,000 prize. The Big Deal Hub generated AED 168 billion in deals through 3,500+ curated meetings among 1,000+ premium buyers. International participation reached record levels: 40% of exhibitors were first-timers; India was Official Country Partner with 600+ exhibitors; new national participants included Luxembourg, Maldives, Rwanda, Slovakia, Sweden and Uganda. The event also served as a launchpad for Gulfood360 Africa/Kenya, debuting in Nairobi in May 2027




