Gulfood Manufacturing 2026 puts food security and manufacturing innovation at the center of the region’s growth agenda, the organizers anticipate, as the UAE’s food and beverage sector is entering a new phase of industrial growth. UAE targets an increase in the sector’s contribution to GDP from AED 30 billion to AED 40 billion by 2028, alongside plans to grow food trade from AED 25 billion to AED 40 billion.

This growth will also bring around 20,000 new job openings in the industry. The country is also targeting AED 2 billion in annual food import substitution through local production, supporting up to 200 food factories and increasing local production capacity by 15 to 30%, Gulfood Manufacturing organizers highlight.

Supporting this momentum, Gulfood Manufacturing returns to Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from November 3 to 5, 2026, under the theme ‘Powering Food Security Through Manufacturing Innovation’. Food manufacturers, suppliers, investors, technology providers and policymakers will join the trade show.

Aligned with the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051, the exhibition spans the full F&B production value chain – from ingredients, processing and packaging to supply chain solutions, control and automation.

Global leaders in processing, packaging and ingredients will exhibit innovation to support the region’s manufacturing needs, as well as supply chain specialists, showcasing technologies and expertise for efficient and scalable food production and distribution.

Innovations will showcase a complete range of solutions, from advanced processing and packaging, next-generation ingredients, robotics and automation, to AI and digital manufacturing, traceability, cold chain and predictive planning.

Mark Napier, Vice President, Gulfood Manufacturing, InD, anticipates: “Strengthening food manufacturing capacity is fundamental to advancing the UAE’s food security and economic ambitions. A more capable and agile manufacturing base can support greater local production, attract investment, accelerate technology adoption and strengthen the supply chains underpinning the food economy. As a global trade and manufacturing hub, Dubai is uniquely positioned to connect regional manufacturers with international investors, technology providers and supply chain partners. Gulfood Manufacturing and its co-located platforms bring this wider ecosystem together, creating opportunities to forge partnerships, access new technologies and build the capabilities needed for the next phase of regional growth.”

Photo: Gulfood Manufacturing (InD)