Dubai will host the largest edition of Gulfood to date in January next year, as the global food trade exhibition expands across two major venues to meet rising international demand.
Gulfood 2026 is scheduled to run from January 26 to January 30, operating simultaneously at the Dubai World Trade Centre and the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai. Organisers say the expanded footprint reflects sustained growth in global food sourcing, distribution, and supply-chain engagement.
The event remains one of the most significant food and beverage industry events globally, attracting manufacturers, exporters, buyers, distributors and policymakers from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
The footprint has effectively doubled to 280,000 square meters.
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Dual-venue format introduced for Gulfood Dubai 2026
This will be the first time Gulfood Dubai 2026 is staged across two locations. The move is intended to accommodate record exhibitor participation and allow for larger sector zones, national pavilions, and dedicated business platforms.
More than 8,500 exhibitors from close to 200 countries are expected to take part, placing Gulfood among the largest global food exhibition 2026 events by scale and geographic reach.
Organisers said the expanded layout will also ease congestion and improve buyer access across core food categories and emerging segments.
Big Deal Hub to operate ahead of show opening
The Big Deal Hub will again be part of Gulfood 2026, enabling senior buyers and suppliers to begin business discussions before the exhibition officially opens.
Through the platform, participants can lock in meetings and start commercial talks in advance of arriving in Dubai, a format that has become increasingly popular with large exporters and international buying groups looking to speed up deal-making timelines.
Gulfood Logistics was introduced as a dedicated supply-chain platform
Organisers have confirmed the launch of Gulfood Logistics for the 2026 edition, adding a focused platform for companies involved in food transport, cold storage, shipping, and freight services.
The new segment responds to rising industry attention on how food moves across borders, as suppliers and buyers place greater emphasis on reliability, route efficiency and logistics planning in an increasingly complex global trade environment.
Registration and exhibitor participation details
Gulfood registration is currently open via the official exhibition website, with separate tracks for trade visitors, exhibitors, and buyers.
The Gulfood exhibitor list spans the entire food ecosystem, including manufacturers, processors, agri-food producers, beverage companies, grocery suppliers, food-tech firms, and logistics providers.
Key sectors for 2026 include fresh food, meat and poultry, dairy, grains and pulses, beverages, grocery and private label, food technology, and sustainable sourcing.
Gulfood remains an anchor among Dubai World Trade Centre events
Over the years, Gulfood has evolved into one of the most commercially significant Dubai World Trade Centre events, shaping annual sourcing strategies for buyers across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
With its expanded 2026 format, the exhibition is expected to reinforce Dubai’s position as a central meeting point for global food trade and distribution.
