Gulfood, Dubai’s largest food and hospitality fair, is one of the world’s leading food trade fairs, welcoming F&B professionals from across the globe to explore changing trends in the food industry. Gulfood 2024 launched its 29th edition on Monday at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Emirates News Agency reported. According to WAM, Gulfood is one of the world’s largest global food and beverage events, with more than 5,500 exhibitors and visitors from 190 countries.
Gulfood Overview
The acclaimed Food trade fair started in the year 1987. It is organized every year in Dubai. Gulfood 2024 is an excellent opportunity for professionals in the Food & Beverage industry to showcase their tales & network with the best in the F&B industry. The activities included in the trade fair are informative, and educational and have a scope for expanding one’s network and business opportunities.
Held under the theme “Real Food, Real Business” this year, the event serves as a platform for companies to showcase their products and engage in business deals. Around 95,000 visitors attend Gulfood every year, this year Gulfood 2024 is set to showcase the latest trends and innovations in the food and beverage industry, spanning 8 distinct sectors: Health & Wellness, Beverage, Fats & Oils, Pulses & Grains, Meat & Poultry, Power Brands, and World Food.
This year’s event has an estimated US$12 billion in international trade deals on the table, happening in an exhibition floor spanning 24 event halls packed with displays of cutting-edge products and solutions by a record 5,500-plus exhibitors. There are also interactive features including Top Table and Dubai World Cuisine which will convene over 100 renowned international chefs.
Key Program Component:
- The Gulfood Inspire Conference features industry experts, thought leaders, and influential figures discussing key trends and innovations in the F&B industry. The conference agenda has been provided below for your reference.
- Top Table platform hosts live culinary demonstrations by famous and celebrity chefs. To get accurate details about chefs and their timings, you can check the Top Table page on the Gulfood official website.
- Gulfood Connexions Meetings Programme tool lets registered attendees pre-schedule meetings with exhibitors and other attendees.
- Exhibitor Halls showcase different F&B products and innovations from exhibitors worldwide.
A stellar event
The Gulfood 2024 Dubai Trade Fair is a dynamic platform where several internal events occur annually. Competitions, award shows, and street food installations are some of them. Moreover, more than 20 countries’ heads of state and ministers, and government representatives will gather at this modern trade congress. This congress is also an opportunity for companies to showcase their products and services to potential customers. It also offers a platform for networking, exchange of ideas, and business opportunities.
Whether to address a rise in conscious consumption and a focus on sustainability or navigate international collaboration, this event is a highlight for anyone involved in the industry. Gulfood promotes trade and commerce across eight sectors: beverages, dairy, fats and oils, wellness and free-from products, meat and poultry, pulses, grains and cereals, power brands and world food. Visitors can explore new markets and partake in riveting conversations analyzing the future of food at this exhibition, see homegrown culinary masters collaborate for Dubai World Cuisine or cheer on budding chefs as they compete at the Youthhx Young Chef Challenge. Plus, you can also sample delectable dishes and hone your skills as Michelin-lauded celebrity chefs host live demonstrations, tasting sessions and workshops.
“At a pivotal moment, the world’s largest F&B event will be the only place to get out ahead of how the global food community, from industry leaders and policy makers to innovators and chefs, are responding. We look forward to welcoming the F&B world as we inspire the future food economy,” commented Trixie LohMirmand, executive vice-president, Dubai World Trade Centre.
Amna bint Abdullah Al-Dahak Al-Shamsi, the UAE minister of climate change and environment, opened the event’s Inspire Conference as the keynote speaker.
“The future of the food industry and food security is a timely topic. The rising temperatures of our planet are putting our natural resources in danger, and we must all act now,” she said.
“This year, on our national environment day, we focused on collaboration and started working together for sustainable local products. We invite all our relevant stakeholders to join efforts in empowering local products.”
Al-Shamsi highlighted the importance of green technologies: “We must all ensure and continue to promote the advancement of advanced technologies in agriculture production aligned with the UAE’s climate conditions, which facilitates all of us to adapt to a sustainable agricultural system, including organic, vertical and agrotech farming.”
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also toured the 29th edition of Gulfood (Gulfood 2024), the annual food and beverage (F&B) sourcing event, which commenced on Monday at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
His Highness said that Gulfood 2024 highlights the UAE’s growing role in facilitating knowledge exchange and fostering partnerships to advance excellence in vital global sectors. This role is firmly rooted in the nation’s commitment to encouraging the adoption of innovative solutions aimed at enhancing sustainable economic growth and human wellbeing, he said.
Sheikh Mohammed noted that organizing events like Gulfood forms part of the UAE’s efforts to foster new solutions for raising the efficiency of global supply chains. The event also serves as a major platform for accelerating global collaboration in the food sector, reflecting the UAE’s keenness to nurture partnerships between public and private sectors and key stakeholders. He stated that Dubai is well positioned to play a key role in enhancing global food security due to its position as a hub for technology and innovation, its status as a pivotal node in global trade, and its high-quality infrastructure and connectivity.
His Highness also said that the organization of Gulfood 2024 is aligned with the aims of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) to double Dubai’s GDP and establish it as one of the world’s top three urban economies. By promoting excellence and sustainable practices, the UAE seeks to make meaningful contributions to worldwide efforts to create a more resilient future for the global economy and international trade.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, were also present.
Details to know:
Gulfood 2024 Dates: February 19-23, 2024
Gulfood Location: Dubai World Trade Centre
Gulfood Website: https://www.gulfood.com/
Participants
Gulfood 2024 features 127 country pavilions, including first-time participants such as Armenia, Azerbaijan and Venezuela, and returning countries such as France. French Trade and Invest Commissioner Axel Baroux said: “Our participation at Gulfood 2024 embodies the strong synergy between France and the UAE, transcending mere trade to represent our shared visions for quality, sustainability and innovation in the food sector.
“This year’s Gulfood is more than a trade show; it’s a testament to the enduring partnership between France and the UAE, showcasing France’s commitment to global health trends and culinary excellence.”
Around 100 Pakistani companies from the food industry are taking part in the Gulfood exhibition taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, inaugurated the Pakistan Pavilion on Monday at Zaa’beel Hall 6.
“About 100 Pakistani enterprises related to the food industry are participating in the Gulf Food this year. It is extremely encouraging that exports of Pakistani food-related items to the region have increased by 40 per cent in just one year time, especially rice and meat have witnessed a sharp increase,” the ambassador said after inaugurating the pavilion. He said that it was very inspiring to have seen Pakistani dairy products making an impressive entrance in the UAE and other Gulf countries.
“Pakistan is one of the largest milk producers in the world and luckily we have numerous dairy products exporters in Gulf Food this year,” added Tirmizi.
The ambassador emphasized that considering the huge natural potential of Pakistan, increasing exports is the way forward for achieving economic prosperity for the country. Pakistani exhibitors are showcasing various products in the field of rice, dairy products, spices, herbals and beverages among others.
“Our farmers, agro-based industrialists and businessmen are the backbone of our national economy and must focus on enhancing exports by targeting untapped markets,” he added.
The event is open to trade professionals from the food and beverage industry, including:
- Retailers and distributors
- Foodservice professionals
- Chefs and hospitality industry figures
- Manufacturers and suppliers
- Investors and entrepreneurs
As Gulfood is approaching its 30th edition, the F&B industry is looking more than ever to a multifaceted future, characterized by greater digitalization and technological innovation to drive efficiency and cut costs, more circular food systems to reduce food loss and waste, and an ever-greater focus on safety, security and transparency down the supply chain.
Driving creativity and change, Gulfood will continue to unite food and beverage communities around the world, and act as an industry trend springboard and a global sourcing powerhouse.
