Dubai, January 26, 2026 – The Europe Today: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, on Monday visited the 31st edition of Gulfood 2026, marking the largest edition in the history of the world’s premier food and beverage sourcing event.
Gulfood 2026 runs until January 30 across more than 280,000 square metres at the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai and the Dubai World Trade Centre, featuring over 8,500 exhibitors from around 195 countries. The event showcases more than 1.5 million products spanning all segments of the global food industry, reinforcing its role as a leading platform for growth and innovation in the global food ecosystem.
His Highness’s visit took place at the newly expanded Dubai Exhibition Centre, the first event to be hosted at the revamped venue, which marks a milestone for Dubai’s exhibitions sector and strengthens the emirate’s status as a global hub for trade and industry.
During the visit, Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that the UAE continues to consolidate its position as a global platform connecting markets, producers, and innovators, reflecting its commitment to international cooperation in the food sector—a key pillar of global economic stability and food security.
He highlighted that the future of the food industry relies on innovation, advanced technologies, and enhanced market efficiency, stressing the UAE’s dedication to building a resilient economic ecosystem that fosters sector growth, encourages quality investments, and transforms challenges into opportunities benefiting communities and societies.
Sheikh Mohammed further noted that Dubai will continue to serve as a global meeting point for strategic collaboration, supporting the development of sustainable solutions that improve quality of life, with cooperation and innovation forming the foundation for shaping the future and reinforcing Dubai’s role in the global economy.
Accompanying His Highness were H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai; H.H. 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.
During the tour, His Highness visited multiple country pavilions, including the United States, Russia, Türkiye, Italy, India, Spain, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, reviewing a wide array of food products, innovations, and advanced technologies that enhance supply chain efficiency and sustainability.
Gulfood 2026, which has doubled in size and impact, represents a $2.7 billion expansion of the Dubai Exhibition Centre, reflecting the emirate’s long-term vision for macroeconomic leadership, multilateral trade, and global connectivity. This year’s edition marks its most globally representative event to date, with new participants from countries including Libya, Luxembourg, Rwanda, Slovakia, Sweden, and Uganda, alongside strengthened presence from major producing markets such as Egypt, India, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Türkiye, and the United States.
The exhibition continues to serve as a unified global platform for the food industry, fostering innovation, trade partnerships, and sustainable development across regional and international markets.
