Dubai to drive the next phase of food manufacturing innovation
The UAE’s food and beverage sector is entering a new phase of industrial growth, with the country targeting 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, and create around 20,000 new jobs. 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 15–30 per cent. Together, these ambitions signal the scale of the shift underway as the UAE and wider GCC region accelerate efforts to strengthen food security and expand the role of local production within the economy. Building the industrial capacity to manufacture, process and distribute food at scale will be critical to converting these ambitions into sustained economic growth.
Supporting this momentum, Gulfood Manufacturing returns to Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from November 3–5, 2026, under the theme ‘Powering Food Security Through Manufacturing Innovation’, bringing together leading food manufacturers, suppliers, investors, technology providers and policymakers. 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 – connecting the technologies, expertise and partnerships needed to build more efficient and future-ready food systems.
The Destination for Industry-Defining Manufacturing Innovation
Global processing and packaging leaders, including GEA, Heat & Control, Husky, Ishida, KHS, Krones, Middleby, Multivac, SIG Combibloc, Sidel, Tetra Pak and TNA, alongside ingredients powerhouses ADM International, BUNGE, Cargill, Chocolake, Döhler, DSM, Givaudan, IFF, IFFCO, MANE and Symrise, and supply chain specialists, including ACME, Addverb, Delta Systems and Kanoo Machinery, will converge in Dubai to showcase the technologies and expertise driving more secure, efficient and scalable food production and distribution. Across advanced processing and packaging, next-generation ingredients, robotics and automation, AI and digital manufacturing, traceability, cold chain and predictive planning, the exhibition will showcase the technologies helping manufacturers improve efficiency, increase output, reduce waste and produce closer to market.
Mark Napier, Vice President, Gulfood Manufacturing, inD stated: “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.”
Vijay Injeti, Head of Sales and Business Development, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Intralox, said: “As production volumes rise across the Middle East and Africa, manufacturers are looking for ways to increase throughput without compromising safety or consistency. At Gulfood Manufacturing, we are looking forward to hearing directly from processors about the challenges on their production floors and exploring how automation, hygienic design and predictive maintenance can help them operate more reliably and efficiently.”
Yannick Lefevre, Sales Manager, MEA and LATAM, FAM STUMABO, said: “Across the Gulf and neighbouring India, food production and value addition are growing rapidly, creating a clear need for smarter, more precise processing. At Gulfood Manufacturing, we look forward to meeting companies who are focused on improving yield, reducing waste and increasing capacity, and showing how the right cutting technology can translate those priorities into measurable gains on the production floor.”
Khaled Abo El-Nasr, General Manager of Döhler MENA, said: “Food security starts with supply reliability. At Döhler, we are strengthening our global network and supply chain to help customers navigate disruption and secure the ingredients they need to innovate and grow. Gulfood Manufacturing gives us the opportunity to engage directly with manufacturers, technology providers and industry leaders, exchange ideas and turn emerging opportunities into practical solutions for our customers.”
gulfoodmanufacturing.com, www.doehler.com
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