Global Food Week Returns to Abu Dhabi with Record-Breaking International Participation
The prestigious event expands to its largest edition yet, welcoming 2,580 exhibitors from 92 countries and introducing innovative new platforms for business and consumer engagement.
Global Food Week is set to return to Abu Dhabi for its most ambitious edition to date, running from October 6 to 8, 2026, at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the event represents a landmark gathering for the global food and agriculture community.
Organised by ADNEC Group in strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), this year’s edition demonstrates remarkable growth across all key metrics. Exhibition space has expanded by 25 per cent to approximately 42,000 square metres, whilst the number of exhibitors and brands has increased by 18 per cent to 2,580. International participation has grown by 23 per cent compared with the previous edition, with representatives from 92 countries attending, including 26 new participating nations.
The event will run concurrently with the second edition of the Global Food Security Summit (GFSS), which convenes countries, multilateral institutions and private-sector leaders to address critical challenges in global food security. This year’s programme focuses on transitioning food systems from resilience towards preparedness for future disruptions, with speakers from 30 countries contributing insights on emerging challenges, innovative technologies, investment opportunities and policy frameworks.
A significant new development this year is the introduction of a business-to-consumer (B2C) model, enabling the public to connect directly with producers, discover products and make purchases. This expansion reflects the event’s commitment to creating broader market opportunities for local and international goods.
Global Food Week 2026 encompasses eight specialised sectors spanning the entire food value chain. Among the notable additions is a dedicated Animal Feed Sector, showcasing innovations that support livestock nutrition and enhance production efficiency. The inaugural Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition continues as a cornerstone of the event, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to agricultural excellence and food security.
ACCESS Abu Dhabi, a new initiative, will bring together more than 150 award-winning Emirati farmers, livestock breeders and beekeepers to showcase their products and experiences to buyers, investors and the public. Additionally, the inaugural Abu Dhabi Honey Symposium, organised in collaboration with Apimondia, will convene experts and policymakers to discuss sustainable beekeeping and strengthen its role in global food security.
The Hosted Buyers Programme will facilitate meetings between international company representatives and local suppliers to forge partnerships. The 2025 edition of Global Food Week yielded 58 agreements valued at AED 6.6 billion, demonstrating the commercial significance of this platform.
Among key partners participating in the 2026 edition are the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the Sub-Regional Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council States and Yemen of the World Organisation for Animal Health, further strengthening international collaboration on food security, safety and sustainable livestock production.
Source: WAM