Global Food Week 2026 introduces hybrid B2B and consumer model in Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi-hosted Global Food Week will for the first time combine trade and consumer-facing activity across eight specialised sectors, aiming to boost investment and market access for producers and SMEs.
New hybrid model links trade, innovation and direct sales
ABU DHABI, 21 September 2026 – Global Food Week 2026 will stage its largest edition to date in the capital, introducing a model that for the first time integrates business-to-business programming with consumer-facing activity. Organised by ADNEC Group, a Modon company, in strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), the event is designed to broaden market access and attract new investment into the food and beverage sector.
The week will divide activity across eight specialised sectors that map different stages of the food value chain. New and returning sectors include a Honey zone bringing together beekeepers and producers, a Dates sector featuring the 12th Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition, and a newly introduced Beverage sector offering interactive tastings from global brands and craft producers.
Agritech and Farmers sectors will showcase the latest agricultural technologies and provide opportunities for visitors to buy fresh produce directly from growers. An Animal Feed sector will present innovations in livestock nutrition. Complementing these areas, the International F&B sector and the Leaders & Enablers sector will continue to serve as the event’s business-facing platforms for government bodies, international companies, investors and service providers.
A notable addition for 2026 is a dedicated platform for SMEs and the local food and beverage community. The initiative aims to give small producers, start-ups, farmers and exhibitors direct access to consumers so they can display products, receive immediate market feedback, and test new launches in a retail-facing environment without foregoing the trade and investment opportunities provided elsewhere at the event.
Organisers say this dual-format approach is intended to maximise commercial value for exhibitors by combining access to qualified buyers and investors with consumer engagement and on-site sales. That mix is presented as a way to support business growth and facilitate expansion into regional and global markets.
Abu Dhabi is positioned as the host city for the event on account of its role as a regional trade and investment hub linking East and West. The capital’s focus on food security, innovation and economic diversification is cited as a strategic fit for the objectives of Global Food Week.
As Global Food Week 2026 seeks to broaden its audience while retaining its role as a platform for deal-making and technology exchange, the organisers emphasise practical benefits for exhibitors and visitors alike: direct market exposure for local producers alongside a structured environment for commercial partnerships and investment.
Source: WAM