Complete Guide to Gulfood 2026 for Companies

Gulfood 2026 is set to be the biggest edition of the world’s leading food and beverage trade show. With 8,500+ exhibitors, 195 countries, 1.5M + products being exhibited across 12 sectors, Gulfood 2026 will be where global buyers, retailers, distributors, and regulators will converge.

This complete guide explains what Gulfood is, who should attend, and how to convert trade show conversations into real deals.

What is Gulfood 2026?

Gulfood is an international food and beverage exhibition held in Dubai each year. It attracts companies from more than 190 countries and showcases products across all major F&B sectors including:

• beverages
  
• meat and poultry
  
• dairy
  
• snacks and confectionery
  
• seafood
  
• oils and fats
  
• spices and ingredients
  
• frozen foods
  
• plant-based products
  
• private label and bulk foods
  

In 2026, Gulfood will take place across two mega venues, making it the largest footprint in its history.

Gulfood 2026 Dates and Venue

• Event: Gulfood 2026
  
• Dates: 26 – 30 January 2026
  
• Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  
• Expected exhibitors: 8,000+
  
• Visitors: buyers, importers, distributors, retailers, HoReCa, and governments

Activities usually run from morning through late afternoon (around 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM), with the final day typically closing earlier at approximately 1:00 PM. To steer clear of heavy Dubai traffic, try to avoid travel during the evening rush between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM.

Why Gulfood 2026 Matters for Companies

1. Meet serious buyers in one place

At gulfood 2026, you’ll gain direct access to:

• supermarket category buyers
  
• import/export traders
  
• foodservice and hotel groups
  
• airline catering companies
  
• e-commerce marketplaces
  
• food distributors across GCC, Africa, Europe, and Asia

2. The 2026 expansion makes it even bigger

With two venues operating together, the 2026 edition expands into:

• Gulfood Logistics
  
• Gulfood Fresh
  
• Grocery Trade
  
• Startups and food technology
  
• AI and smart manufacturing
  

3. Strong timing for annual procurement cycles

Since Gulfood happens early in the year, buyers lock contracts during or immediately after the show. This makes it ideal for:

• launching new SKUs
  
• showcasing certifications (halal, vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, organic)
  
• rebranding or packaging redesigns
  
• entering new geographic markets
  

Who Should Exhibit at Gulfood 2026?

You should consider exhibiting if you are:

• a food or beverage manufacturer
  
• an ingredient or flavor supplier
  
• a plant-based or alternative protein company
  
• a fresh produce exporter
  
• a logistics or cold-chain services provider
  
• a private label manufacturer
  
• a startup in food tech or AI in food systems

Exhibiting is ideal if your products are export-ready and you can ship to the Middle East, Africa, or Asia.

5 Things to Do Before Attending the Gulfood 2026

If you’re planning on attending the Gulfood 2026, here is what you need to do before:

1. Ensure regulatory and certification readiness

Secure or start your halal certification process before Gulfood. Buyers and distributors will ask for it immediately at Gulfood. Besides halal, here are some additional items to consider:

• ensure halal certification is from a UAE accredited halal certifier
• vegan / gluten-free / organic claims
• label compliance for GCC markets

2. Identify your target countries and buyer types

This will help you focus your time instead of wandering halls at random.

• priority regions (GCC, Africa, Europe, Asia)
  
• target channels (retail, foodservice, private label, wholesale)
  
• ideal buyer profile (importer, distributor, supermarket buyer, broker)
  

3. Pre-book meetings (most important step)

Before the show:

• contact past leads or existing customers
  
• message exhibitors/visitors on LinkedIn
  
• email target distributors (“Let’s meet at Gulfood”)
  
• use chambers of commerce or trade office connections

4. Prepare your pricing and offer

Have ready:

• export price list (FOB/CIF options)
  
• MOQ and pallet/carton details
  
• private label or white label options
  
• distributor margins and exclusivity policy

5. Plan samples (if exhibiting)

Think through:

• which SKUs to showcase
  
• tasting logistics and hygiene
  
• customs + cold chain requirements
  
• “not for sale” labeling
  

What to Do After Gulfood 2026 Ends

The real work starts once Gulfood is over. In the first 24–72 hours, clean and organize your leads, classify them by priority, and send personalized follow-ups with exactly what each buyer asked for, prices, samples, specs, or distributor terms. 

Be intentionally aggressive during the first 1–2 weeks: this is when momentum is highest, buyers are still comparing options, and fast responders usually win the deals. Schedule calls, ship samples quickly, and move conversations toward concrete next steps such as NDAs, trial orders, or distributor agreements.

Conclusion

Gulfood 2026 will be a global marketplace condensed into five powerful days, where real partnerships, distribution deals, and market-entry strategies are shaped. The American Halal Foundation and its parent company, Carat Global Assurance, will be present at the event, offering regulatory guidance and third-party certification support to manufacturers, brands, and exporters seeking access to GCC, Southeast Asia, and global halal markets.