Global Food Week 2026 Opens in Abu Dhabi with Record International Participation.
Abu Dhabi(News Desk):: Global Food Week 2026 will return to Abu Dhabi from 6 to 8 October 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA).
Organised by ADNEC Group in strategic partnership with ADAFSA, the 2026 edition will be the largest in the event’s history, bringing together 2,580 exhibitors and brands from 92 countries, alongside buyers, investors, policymakers and food-sector experts.
Ahmad Shaker, CEO of Capital 360 & Events said: “Global Food Week continues to strengthen its position as a leading international platform for advancing food security, agricultural innovation and sustainable development. This edition is witnessing record growth across all key indicators, with exhibition space increasing by 25% to approximately 42,000 square metres, while the number of exhibitors and brands has risen by 18% to 2,580. Participation has expanded to 92 countries, representing growth of 23% compared with the previous edition and 26 new countries, reflecting the event’s growing international standing and its ability to attract industry leaders, innovators and decision-makers from around the world. ADNEC Group is committed to delivering this event to the highest international standards, positioning Abu Dhabi as a hub for international events, while building future-ready food systems through innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration.”
Badr Hassan Al Shihi, Director of the Communications and Community Engagement Department at the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, said: “This year’s edition comes with a more ambitious and integrated vision that brings together business, investment and trade alongside a direct consumer experience. For the first time, we are introducing a business-to-consumer (B2C) model, enabling the public to connect directly with producers, discover their products and purchase them, creating broader market opportunities for local products. The event will feature eight specialised sectors, bringing together every stage of the food value chain within a single global platform.”
He added: “We are also introducing, for the first time, a dedicated Animal Feed Sector, showcasing solutions and innovations that support livestock nutrition, benefit breeders, and enhance production efficiency and sustainability. In addition, we are launching the ACCESS Abu Dhabi, where more than 150 award-winning Emirati farmers, livestock breeders and beekeepers will showcase their products and experiences to buyers, investors and the wider public.”
His Excellency Prof. Abdelouahhab Alboukhari Zaid, Secretary General of Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, affiliated with Erth Zayed Philanthropies Foundation, UAE Presidential Court, said: “The Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition has become a cornerstone of Global Food Week, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to advancing food security, agricultural innovation, and sustainable development. As the region’s most important platforms dedicated to date palm cultivation and agricultural excellence, the Abu Dhabi exhibition brings together experts, researchers, innovators, and industry leaders from around the world to exchange knowledge, showcase best practices, and strengthen international collaboration. Its role within Global Food Week reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for dialogue, innovation, and strategic partnerships that support resilient and sustainable food systems capable of addressing the challenges of food security and climate change.”
Mr Ahmad Mukhtar, Subregional Coordinator for the GCC States and Yemen and FAO Representative to the United Arab Emirates, stated: “FAO is proud to join Global Food Week and the Global Food Security Summit as a key partner once again. Our continued partnership with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, ADNEC and other stakeholders rests on a shared belief that everyone deserves safe, nutritious and sustainable food. This week, FAO brings global evidence and regional insight from the Summit stage to the FAO Policy Majlis. We are delighted to host the global edition of YALAFAST, giving young people the space to lead, because the future of food is theirs to shape.”
Saleh Lootah, Chairman of the UAE Food and Beverage Manufacturers Group, commented: “Global Food Week reflects the UAE’s commitment to bringing the global food community together around a shared ambition: building a more resilient, secure and sustainable food system. The UAE Food Cluster has been proud to play a leading role in bringing international partners, food clusters and industry stakeholders together for this important platform. Our role goes beyond connecting businesses within the UAE; it is about creating meaningful connections between food ecosystems globally, enabling clusters to share knowledge, strengthen trade and investment links, collaborate on innovation, and work together to address shared challenges. Food security is a collective responsibility, and through stronger international collaboration, we can build the partnerships and practical solutions needed to ensure resilient food systems for generations to come.”
Eight sectors across the food value chain
According to ADAFSA, this year’s edition introduces a more integrated business and consumer experience, including a business-to-consumer (B2C) model that will allow visitors to engage directly with producers and purchase products.
The event will feature eight specialised sectors covering the food value chain. A dedicated Animal Feed Sector will make its debut, presenting solutions aimed at improving livestock nutrition, production efficiency and sustainability.
Another new initiative, ACCESS Abu Dhabi, will showcase the products and experiences of more than 150 award-winning Emirati farmers, livestock breeders and beekeepers to buyers, investors and the public.
The event will also feature an enhanced Shop to Show programme, allowing visitors to purchase products from local and international exhibitors while giving participating businesses opportunities to reach consumers, expand brand visibility and develop new commercial relationships.
Focus on agriculture, honey and innovation
The inaugural Abu Dhabi Honey Symposium, organised in collaboration with Apimondia, will bring together researchers, experts, policymakers and private-sector representatives to discuss sustainable beekeeping and its contribution to food security.
The AgriTech Forum will also return, focusing on next-generation farming technologies, artificial intelligence-driven production models and sustainable agricultural practices.
The Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition will continue as a major component of Global Food Week, bringing together specialists, researchers, innovators and industry leaders to exchange knowledge and showcase developments in date-palm cultivation and agricultural innovation.
Strong business and international participation
The Hosted Buyers Programme will facilitate meetings between international companies and local suppliers to develop partnerships and commercial opportunities.
The 2025 edition recorded 58 agreements valued at AED 6.6 billion, providing a strong foundation for the 2026 programme.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will again participate as a key partner, alongside the Sub-Regional Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council States and Yemen of the World Organisation for Animal Health.
