The largest-ever edition of Gulfood, the benchmark event for the global f&b community, kicked off yesterday at the Dubai World Trade Center opening its doors to 150,000 attendees from 190 countries. With an estimated USD 12 billion in international trade deals on the table, an exhibition floor spanning 24 event halls packed with displays of cutting-edge products, solutions by a record 5,500+ exhibitors, and interactive features including Top Table and Dubai World Cuisine – which will convene over 100 renowned international chefs with 25 Michelin stars between them – expectations are very high for this year’s edition of the food and beverage sourcing event, which looks set to have a lasting influence on the f&b industry.
Attendees will also hear insights from senior policymakers and global industry experts at the Inspire conference, including H.E. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, who gave the opening keynote address on the first day of the conference. Her Excellency gave her perspectives and vision for the UAE at a time when climate change, geopolitics, and emerging technology are all converging to disrupt global food systems and economies.
“At a pivotal moment, the world’s largest f&b event will be the only place to get out ahead of how the global food community, from industry leaders, and policymakers to innovators and chefs, are responding. We look forward to welcoming the F&B world as we inspire the future food economy,” commented Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice-President, Dubai World Trade Centre.
As Gulfood approaches its milestone 30th anniversary in 2025, the global food and beverage (f&b) industry is looking more than ever to a multifaceted future, characterized by greater digitalization and technological innovation to drive efficiency and cut costs, more circular food systems to reduce food loss and waste, and an ever-greater focus on safety, security, and transparency down the supply chain.
At this year’s Gulfood Inspire Conference, over 200 influential figures from the global F&B industry, including food futurists, policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and culinary experts will lead a series of dynamic and engaging keynotes, panel discussions, fireside chats, showcases, and workshops. For the first time over 60 leading global food futurists will convene to give invaluable insights into the trends in technology (e.g. personal AI), culture, demographics, lifestyle, and flavors that are shaping the future of food.
F&B TRENDS UNVEILED AT GULFOOD
The future of food systems is a theme that will carry through the Inspire conference, including:
How the industry is adapting to emerging consumer trends and lifestyles, evolving science including how generative AI and blockchain can improve food safety and the development of novel foods, the benefits of digitisation in r&d, food testing and formulation, new genomic techniques and bio-solutions, implementing sustainable practices in farming;
Building regenerative/circular food systems;
New business models and collaboration opportunities, including public-private and farm-to-table partnerships;
How innovative tech such as big data can be leveraged by the food industry and regulators, enabling real-time monitoring and better traceability;
Building resilience and sustainability in the supply chain to mitigate the impact of climate change, economic inequality, and conflict;
Preventing food waste and increasing food packaging recycling;
The latest innovative products and ingredients.
Confirmed keynote speakers across the 3-day conference include Ibrokhim Yu. Abdurakhmonov, Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan; H.E. Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General, Emirates Nature-WWF; His Excellency Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President & CEO, Dubai Chambers; H.E. Alia Abdulla AlMazrouei, CEO of the Khalifa Fund; H.E. Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi, President of The Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID). Other prominent speakers include Sheikh Mohammed Al Harthy, CEO of Oman Food Investment Holding Co (SAOC), Abdulla Al Hashmi, Chief Operating Officer, Parks and Zones, DP World GCC; Abdulmohsen Salem H Alsalem, Director of Strategic Studies and Innovation The Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, MODON, and many more.