Gulfood 2025, the world’s largest food business event, continued its second day at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) on Tuesday (February 18) with a packed schedule of industry insights, innovation showcases, and global networking opportunities.
His Excellency Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, officially opened the Food500 Summit, delivering a keynote address emphasizing Gulfood’s economic significance and the UAE’s strategic position as a trade gateway between the East and the West.
“For three decades, Gulfood has been at the forefront of shaping global food trends, fostering partnerships, and driving innovation, which has not only strengthened the UAE’s positioning as a global food hub but also played a big role as a strategic platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to address the most pressing issues that the industry and the world around it faces,” he stated.
Al Marri highlighted food security, innovation, and resilience in the digital economy as key priorities for the UAE and the global food sector. He also noted the substantial foreign investments in UAE’s food production, processing, and technology, emphasizing that the nation imports 95% of its food and relies on strategic expansion efforts to drive economic growth.
Dubai Chamber of Commerce Briefing Spotlights Investment Trends
Industry stakeholders gathered for a briefing by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce to explore how international businesses can leverage platforms like Gulfood to drive economic progress and innovation.
Salem Al Shamsi, Vice President of International Relations Sector at Dubai Chambers, outlined Dubai’s growing influence in the F&B sector. “Between 2020 and 2024, Dubai’s F&B sector attracted USD 370 million in greenfield investments, further cementing its reputation as a prime destination for businesses and investors in the food industry. The UAE remains the top-ranked country in the GCC on the UN’s Global Food Security Index, highlighting our nation’s commitment to resilience and innovation,” he stated.
Al Shamsi also highlighted that 27% of all imported food was re-exported during the first three quarters of 2024, underscoring the UAE’s integral role in global food supply chains.
Expansive F&B Trading Floor Showcases Global Innovations
The massive trading floor at Gulfood 2025 spans 24 exhibition halls covering over 1.3 million square feet, where visitors are engaging with companies unveiling new products, ingredients, and flavors while forming critical trade partnerships.
Sharif Chacoff, ProChile’s Trade Commissioner for the GCC, noted the significance of the event for Chilean exporters. “Gulfood is an important platform to diversify markets for Chilean exporters, and we have already seen results. Gulfood 2025 will facilitate efforts towards a new exportable offer, where Faenacar (Chilean Meat Association) will participate for the first time, supporting our strategic direction to expand the range of Chilean products available in the market,” he said.
Top Table: Culinary Stars Shine with Masterclasses
Culinary innovation took center stage at Gulfood 2025’s Top Table segment, where renowned chefs captivated audiences with their expertise. Dubai-based Michelin-star chefs Solemann Haddad (Moonrise) and Mohamed Orfali (Orfali Bros) elevated traditional Arabic fare and showcased Japanese seafood, respectively. Chef Fredrik Berselius of Aska (New York) explored flavors inspired by nature, while Chef Vladimir Mukhin of Krasota and The White Rabbit (Moscow) introduced futuristic culinary techniques.
With its dynamic mix of thought leadership, business networking, and culinary excellence, Gulfood 2025 continues to cement its place as a leading global platform for food trade and innovation.
