Day four of Gulfood 2026 marked by major deals and strong government endorsement
Day Four of Gulfood 2026 reinforced the event’s position as a global trade powerhouse, with major commercial deals, government engagement, and policy-driven dialogue converging across its two mega venues in Dubai.
Operating as a high-velocity trade floor, Gulfood once again demonstrated how global conversations can be rapidly converted into actionable commercial agreements, uniting international buyers, producers, and policy leaders to drive tangible transformation across the global food system.
The landmark food and beverage exhibition was also marked by the visit of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, who toured the Dubai World Trade Centre, underscoring the event’s national and international significance.
Global expansion and strategic partnerships take centre stage
Momentum at Gulfood 2026 was highlighted by the signing of several strategic agreements aimed at strengthening food security, local production, and sustainable supply chains.
Emirates Bustanica and Spinneys/Waitrose formalised a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop a private-label retail brand under Bustanica’s new ‘Eat Better’ concept. The initiative aims to advance healthier, locally sourced, and sustainable food solutions across the UAE and wider GCC.
“The MoU signed with Bustanica is a very important step in a partnership forged through platforms like Gulfood,” said Tom Harvey, General Manager – Commercial at Spinneys. “It enables us to continuously expand our range in the UAE and into other GCC and international markets.”
Further underscoring Gulfood’s commercial impact, Solico Group announced the launch of its AED 130 million SoFood Dubai factory, anchoring significant manufacturing investment within the UAE’s food ecosystem.
“Food security cannot rely on trading alone,” said Gholamali Soleimani, Founder and Group Chairman of Solico Group Food Industries. “It is built through local manufacturing, long-term investment, and scalable production. Gulfood provides the ideal platform to meet partners who share our vision for a circular food economy.”
Global policy dialogue and innovation in focus
With global ministers and senior policymakers participating across its flagship forums, Gulfood reinforced its role as a trusted convenor of high-level dialogue shaping the future of global food systems.
H.E. Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness for Ontario, highlighted the value of Gulfood’s dual-venue format, noting its effectiveness in facilitating learning and collaboration across academia, government, and industry.
Similarly, Ivan Meyer, Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism – Western Cape, emphasised Gulfood’s importance in navigating global food security, sustainability, and trade diversification amid geopolitical uncertainty.
“Gulfood offers an essential global platform to showcase products, elevate entrepreneurs, and build long-term, sustainable partnerships across the agricultural value chain,” Meyer said.
Leading brands drive innovation and commercial momentum
The show floor continued to attract the world’s most influential buyers, as companies announced factory launches, production expansions, and market-shaping investments.
Lyne Jette, Senior Vice President, National Procurement at Metro Inc. Canada, described Gulfood as a critical annual touchpoint for supplier engagement and strategic sourcing, citing the expanded footprint and the Big Deal Hub as valuable enablers of deeper commercial discussions.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Suratwala, Export Manager at Exports Pvt. Ltd, highlighted Gulfood’s role in the company’s growth journey. “We began with an 8 sqm stand and today exhibit across 80 sqm—a reflection of how both our business and global reach have expanded alongside Gulfood,” he said.
New sectors and innovation spotlighted
This year’s edition is also placing strong emphasis on startups and emerging technologies, with many first-time exhibitors choosing Gulfood as their global launch platform.
Can Yurdakul, Co-Founder and CEO of ANT Systems, said the company launched its Nanotern™ biodegradable, microplastic-free sub-soil water reservoir technology at Gulfood, citing the event’s access to decision-makers shaping the future of agriculture.
In a milestone for the exhibition, Seafood was introduced as a dedicated sector for the first time in Gulfood’s 31-year history.
Haris Pangat, Executive Director of Deep Seafood Company, said the platform enables companies to showcase products, explore partnerships, and identify new buyers across global markets.
As Gulfood 2026 progresses, the event continues to demonstrate how commerce, policy alignment, and innovation can converge to shape a more resilient, sustainable, and globally connected food ecosystem.
