Global Food Week 2026 ran from 6 to 8 October at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, bringing together a record 92 countries and 2,580 exhibitors and brands, according to the UAE’s state news agency, WAM, and Gulf News. The edition is the largest in the event’s history, both in the number of participating countries and the scale of exhibition space on display.
India served as Guest of Honour for this year’s edition, giving the country’s food and agriculture sector particular prominence across the show’s pavilions and programming. The honour reflects India’s standing as a major food exporter and trading partner for Gulf markets, and gave Indian producers and officials a focal role in an event drawing exhibitors from across 92 countries.
Exhibition space expanded by 25% to approximately 42,000 square metres for the 2026 edition, accommodating the larger number of exhibitors and the additional programming that came with it. The growth in floor space mirrors the growth in participation, with organisers positioning the expanded footprint as a direct response to rising demand from both exhibitors and visiting trade delegations.
A new model opens the show to the public
For the first time, Global Food Week 2026 introduced a business-to-consumer element called Shop at the Show, allowing members of the public to attend alongside the traditional trade-only, business-to-business format. The change marks a departure from previous editions, which were run strictly as B2B trade events closed to general visitors.
Opening part of the show to consumers gives exhibitors a second audience beyond buyers and distributors, letting brands test products and build awareness directly with shoppers while still conducting the wholesale and distribution business that trade shows are built around. It is a format shift that other large regional trade events may watch closely if it proves successful in Abu Dhabi.
Why the record turnout matters for regional trade
A record 92 countries and 2,580 exhibitors signal continued momentum for Abu Dhabi as a hub for international food trade, at a moment when Gulf states are actively courting diversified agricultural partnerships to strengthen their own food security. India’s role as Guest of Honour adds a South Asian dimension to an event that has traditionally drawn heavily on Middle Eastern, European, and East Asian participation.
With the event running from 6 to 8 October, its scale and new consumer-facing format offer an early signal of how Gulf food trade events are evolving, growing larger, more international, and, for the first time, more open to the public that ultimately buys the products on display.
