India participates as first-ever partner country at Gulfood 2026 in Dubai from January 26 to 30, 2026

Key facts

• Gulfood 2026, the world's largest annual food and beverage event, is being held from January 26 to 30, 2026, in Dubai.
• India is participating as the partner country for the first time in the history of the global exhibition.
• The event is the first exhibition to operate simultaneously across two venues, the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and the newly expanded Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City Dubai.
• The DEC hosts the World Food Hall, Pulses, Grains and Cereals Hall, and Gulfood Green, while the DWTC hosts the Beverage Hall and the Startup Hall.
• India's participation includes 161 exhibitors showcasing the country's agri-food ecosystem, with the Indian pavilion doubling in size compared to the previous year.
• The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) launched the Bharati Pavilion to promote export-ready agri-food and agri-tech startups.
• The Bharati Pavilion, located in the Startup Zone at the DWTC, features eight high-potential Indian startups selected from more than 100 applicants.
• The exhibition recorded a 100 per cent expansion in a single year, featuring more than 8,500 exhibitors showcasing 1.5 million products from 195 countries.
• Major participating markets include India, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United States, with 40 per cent being first-time exhibitors.