The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) will host the 30th edition of Gulfood, the world’s largest annual food and beverage trade show, from February 17-21, 2025.
With the theme “The Next Frontier in Food,” this milestone event is set to showcase the future of global food commerce, emphasizing sustainability, innovation, and trade growth. Expected to generate over USD 20 billion in trade deals, Gulfood represents 1% of the global food and beverage market.
Gulfood at Dubai World Trade Centre
This year’s edition will feature more than 5,500 exhibitors from 129 countries and display over 1 million products. The event will span across 24 exhibition halls, covering more than 1.3 million square feet of space. Participants will include large multinational corporations, start-ups, and companies launching innovative products, new ingredients, and emerging food trends. International pavilions from the USA, France, Brazil, UK, India, and others will offer a global perspective on food innovation, while first-time exhibitors from countries like Kosovo, Madagascar, and Mauritius will add new flavors to the show.
Trade and networking opportunities
Gulfood is more than just a trade show. It is a platform for cross-industry collaboration, enabling businesses to forge new partnerships, share knowledge, and explore investment opportunities. Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of DWTC, emphasized the show’s global significance: “Building upon Dubai and the UAE’s testament of extraordinary transformation and achieving global epi-centre status, Gulfood’s evolution has cemented its footprint in the global F&B space as the premier stage for industry professionals to connect, engage in trade deals, and establish the food trends of tomorrow.”
Global food leaders gather
In addition to the trade exhibits, Gulfood 2025 will launch the Food500 Summit, bringing together top global leaders, government officials, and industry experts. Keynote speakers will include H.E. Ms. Piret Hartman, Minister of Agriculture and Food Production of Estonia, and Geeta Sethi, Global Lead for Food Systems at the World Bank. The summit will tackle critical issues such as food security, trade regulations, and AI-driven transformations in the food sector.
Culinary innovation and future trends
The Top Table Programme, sponsored by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), will focus on “Culinary Futurism,” providing a glimpse into the next decade of food innovation. This year, Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse, with 21 stars to his name, will make his first appearance at Gulfood, joined by other renowned chefs such as Romain Meder and Ana Roš. Dubai’s growing reputation as a global culinary hub will be showcased through exclusive city-wide dining experiences featuring collaborations between homegrown and international chefs.
Tickets and special offers
Tickets for Gulfood 2025 are available at a special rate of Dhs 495 for a 5-day pass, down from the standard price of Dhs 695, offering great value for industry professionals and visitors alike.
As the world’s premier food trade event, Gulfood 2025 promises to be a critical platform for shaping the future of global food systems, bringing together leaders, innovators, and creators to discuss, discover, and drive the industry forward.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
