Global Food Week draws 2,580 exhibitors to Abu Dhabi

Global Food Week 2026 drew 2,580 exhibitors and brands to ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi on Oct. 8, according to a third-party press release distributed by MarketersMedia on Oct. 19.

The scale matters for Abu Dhabi’s food-security positioning: Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, group CEO of ADNEC Group, said in the press release that the event was the largest edition in its history.

ADNEC Group, a Modon company, organised the event in strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan inaugurated the week under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Al Dhaheri said: “Spanning more than 42,000 square metres and bringing together 2,580 exhibitors and brands from around the world, the event creates opportunities for cooperation, trade and investment.”

The event also included the opening of the Global Food Security Summit, attended by government officials, decision makers and agriculture and food-sector leaders, according to the press release. The summit’s stated theme was Global Collaboration for Food Security for All, with speakers from 30 countries.

Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE minister of foreign trade, said the value of the UAE’s trade in food, agricultural and related products reached US$41.8 billion in 2025. He also said Dubai Food Tech Valley had attracted US$50 billion in investment.

Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, acting director-general of ADAFSA, said the UAE seeks to lift self-sufficiency in basic food commodities to 70% by 2040 and reduce irrigation water consumption. The press release did not give current self-sufficiency or water-use figures for comparison.

India was named guest of honour for this year’s Global Food Week and Global Food Security Summit. The event also launched the Abu Dhabi Honey Symposium & Exhibition, organised by ADAFSA with Apimondia, the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations.

Source: third-party press release distributed by MarketersMedia via Financialcontent, Oct. 19, 2026