The largest-ever culinary showcase concluded today at the Dubai World Trade Centre, marking a successful five-day run for Gulfood 2024, the world’s largest annual food and beverage event. Event held from 19th to 23rd February 2024 at Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Center.
Across the five days of the show, a star[1]studded line-up of internationally renowned chefs sharing 25 Michelin stars showcased traditional cooking methods, elevated authentic ingredients, and revealed the stories behind the world’s most beloved dishes in over 90 Masterclasses. Meanwhile, at Chef Talks, established and up-and-coming chefs gave insights into the dishes that would take the world by storm that year, along with culinary tips and tricks.
Top names participating in the program included Chef Alain Passard of L’Arpege, Chef Enrico Cerea of da Vittorio, Chef Joan Roca of El Celler de Can Roca, and Chef Mark Donald of The Glenturret. Home-grown talent included Chef Vladimir Mukhin of White Rabbit Krasota in Dubai. This year’s theme highlighted the union of rich heritage and traditional culinary practices with modern, trendsetting innovative techniques.
Trixie LohMirmand Executive Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre
Dubai World Cuisine, a series of city-wide dinner collaborations between homegrown chefs and culinary icons from around Europe aimed at shaping the cultural identity of Dubai and helping establish it on the world’s culinary map, had already seen successful dinners at six Dubai culinary landmarks – Krasota, Lowe, Takahisa, Armani Ristorante, Folly, and F.R.N.D.S. Grand Cafe.
H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance, toured the 29th edition of Gulfood, the world’s largest annual global food and beverage (F&B) sourcing event.
The UAE was a major market for us and a major hub for the region and beyond. Last year, the UAE exported about US$50 million worth of food products to Canada, while Canada exported almost US$700 million a year to the UAE. Last year Canadian companies accounted for 45% of all foreign direct investment into Dubai. We knew that if we came to Gulfood and did business, it went beyond just the UAE and the Gulf market. They had the ability to develop other markets throughout the region.
Tracy Reynolds Consul-General of Canada in Dubai
Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Maktoum said Gulfood 2024 exemplified Dubai’s growing role in fostering innovation, sustainability, and excellence in major global industries. By showcasing the groundbreaking ideas and trends that would shape the food industry of tomorrow, Gulfood reinforced Dubai’s position as a growth catalyst in the global sector.
Australia exported almost USD3.2 billion to the UAE and close to USD 1.3 billion of that was actually comprised of food and agricultural exports. So it was a really significant component of the two-way trade that we had between Australia and the UAE. Australia had been at Gulfood since the beginning, and had seen it grow from being a regional trade show into this global phenomenon. It was absolutely a global event when it came to the food and beverage industry and it was where you had to be if you had an amazing product.
Bryony Hilless Australian Consul-General Dubai, and General Manager Middle East, Africa and Pakistan
Sheikh Maktoum highlighted that that year’s edition of the event had once again generated exciting new opportunities, partnerships, and insights that could enhance the global F&B ecosystem and supply chain. He noted that events like Gulfood contributed to advancing the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to double the city’s GDP and establish it as one of the world’s top three urban economies.
The vast global participation that Gulfood had drawn further demonstrated Dubai’s ability to create platforms to connect markets and bring together talent, investors, and innovators from across the globe to unlock new possibilities in key industries, Sheikh Maktoum further said.
Sheikh Maktoum was accompanied on his visit by Helal Al Marri, Director-General of the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA).
The event saw tie-ups between Michelin-starred chef Akira Back and Pepe Solla, chef and owner at one-Michelin-star Casa Solla restaurant, and Chef Kelvin Cheung of Jun’s, Dubai, and Begona Rodrigo of La Salita in the Valencian capital, a Michelin star recipient and acclaimed vegetable chef.
Tracy Reynolds, Consul-General of Canada in Dubai, commented, “The UAE was a major market for us and a major hub for the region and beyond. Last year, the UAE exported about US$50 million worth of food products to Canada, while Canada exported almost US$700 million a year to the UAE.
We are pleased to collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture in the Republic of Lithuania, aiming to ensure mutual benefits by exchanging agricultural. This aligns with our focus on utilizing food systems to address climate and food security challenges simultaneously. We affirm that this collaboration, among others, contributes to our efforts to enhance the sustainability of local agricultural products and empower local farmers by transferring knowledge and experiences.
His Excellency Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi
Last year Canadian companies accounted for 45% of all foreign direct investment into Dubai. We knew that if we came to Gulfood and did business, it went beyond just the UAE and the Gulf market. They had the ability to develop other markets throughout the region”.
At the Gulfood Inspire Conference meanwhile, leading global food futurologist Dr. Morgaine Gaye took participants through a fascinating look at the F&B trends coming down the track, including a greater focus on sustainability and eco-friendly products, reducing and reusing waste and packaging, growth of locally sourced products, a return to forgotten, heritage local and regional flavors, more hand[1]crafted products, attention to aesthetics, and many more.
Bandar Akrin, Founder and CEO of Kinza, commented, “During the Gulfood exhibition, we signed partnerships to enter ten new markets, and we were in negotiations with a number of commercial partners to open factories and license manufacturing in further new markets.”
Martin Camus, VP – Procurement, DNATA USA, commented, “I found Gulfood this year to be a fantastic event, and managed to meet with suppliers from all over the globe. The key trends I noticed this year were a lot more focus from suppliers on consistency and quality, and also a lot more details about their supply chains and sustainability”
Mohammed Hamad Al Shayea, CEO of Al Watania Poultry stated: “Al Watania Poultry was considered the largest poultry[1]producing company in the Middle East. Participation in the Gulfood show every year was a priority for us since it provided a world-class platform to meet and communicate with clients. We met several representatives of significant companies and discussed ways of cooperating and closing transactions. Al Watania Poultry was dedicated to improving regional food security and strengthening industry standards. The company had a varied array of products, including more than 150 food products. All of the products we displayed during our participation in the exhibition were favorably accepted by everyone who had the opportunity to sample them in a dedicated tasting zone within the pavilion.
On this day, February 22, Founding Day, we all came together, leadership and people, to show our pride in our rich history and great legacy, and to renew our commitment to preserving and building on these accomplishments to secure a prosperous future for the next generation. Foundation Day was a time to reflect on our journey and appreciate the lessons we’d learned in order to be a light of hope for the future. We confirmed our unwavering commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s economic development and progress, as well as representing it at global events like Gulfood.”
Martin Camus, VP – Procurement, DNATA USA commented: “I found Gulfood this year to be a fantastic event, and managed to meet with suppliers from all over the globe. The key trends I noticed this year were a lot more focus from supplies on consistency and quality, and also a lot more details about their supply chains and sustainability”.
Across 24 halls, over 5,500 exhibitors including 125 country pavilions continued to make real business connections and conclude commercial deals and partnerships totaling billions of dollars. Across 24 halls, over 5,500 exhibitors including 125 country pavilions continued to make real business connections and conclude commercial deals and partnerships totaling billions of dollars.
Bryony Hilless, Australian Consul-General Dubai, and General Manager Middle East, Africa and Pakistan commented: “Australia exported almost USD3.2 billion to the UAE and close to USD 1.3 billion of that was actually comprised of food and agricultural exports. So it was a really significant component of the two-way trade that we had between Australia and the UAE.
Australia had been at Gulfood since the beginning, and had seen it grow from being a regional trade show into this global phenomenon. It was absolutely a global event when it came to the food and beverage industry and it was where you had to be if you had an amazing product”
Greg Tyler, President & CEO of USA Poultry & Egg Export Council added: “Last year during the show we recorded USD2.6 million in sales on the spot, with an additional USD7.5 million after the show, and made 160 new contacts. 2024 was going to be a much bigger show – I expected that we were going to have some very good foot traffic for the remainder of the show”
“Gulfood served as a pivotal showcase, offering us a pioneering platform to engage with industry peers, unveil cutting-edge innovations and seize new business opportunities. Aligned with our core values, the exhibition’s global prominence fortified our standing within the F&B industry, facilitating strategic partnerships and extending our footprint across varied markets” said Rizwan Ahmed, Executive Director at IFFCO Group.
Abdul Karim Al-Hamdawi, General Manager of the promotional program for Tunisian canned olive oil, confirmed that participation in Gulfood was among their priorities due to its significant importance in the global food and beverage sector. He stated: “Tunisia’s participation in Gulfood 2024 aimed to support exports of Tunisian canned olive oil to the Arab Gulf markets, which were considered promising markets. Gulfood 2024 would enhance the presence of Tunisian olive oil in global markets in general, and enable Tunisian olive oil companies to develop commercial relationships and enhance international cooperation in this field to gain access to new markets”.
For almost three decades, Gulfood had been at the cutting edge of the industry, a platform showcasing the latest innovations in the food industry. The Gulfood Innovation Awards celebrated excellence in new product development, and championed ground-breaking new products launched within the past calendar year, with winners now announced across all 10 categories:
Best Beverage Product – Corporate Trade House for Di Sana Pianta Organic Drinks
Best Dairy Product – Do Me A Flavour for Do Me A Flavour Butter
Best Frozen/Chilled Product – KYnext LLC for Frozen Emperor Oysters
Best Health and Wellness Product – YOOK Production AS for Organic Oat Drink
Best Heritage Food – Argiolas Formaggi S.r.l for Nurè Cheese
Best Meat/Poultry Product – MHP Food Trading LLC for MENA Protein Chicken Snack
Best Packaging Design – The Fine Cheese Co. for Miss American Pie Biscuits Pouch
Best Ready-to-Eat Product – Freshcourt for Avocado Salads
Best Sauce, Condiment or Preserve – Maison Goubet for Vine Jelly
Best Snacks/Baked Product – The Fine Cheese Co. for Miller’s Elements – Seaweed Crackers
Gulfood created a platform for companies in the food industry to present their products, services, and solutions to influential buyers from across the globe, facilitating intercontinental business deals and serving as the ultimate focal point for the world of food and beverage sourcing.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania to collaborate in developing sustainable food systems, supporting agricultural and food exchange, and investing in the agriculture sector during the Gulfood. The MoU was signed by His Excellency Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of MOCCAE, and Vytenis Tomkus, Vice-Minister at the Ministry of Agriculture of Lithuania, at the MOCCAE’s headquarters in Dubai.
His Excellency Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi said: “We are pleased to collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture in the Republic of Lithuania, aiming to ensure mutual benefits by exchanging agricultural. This aligns with our focus on utilizing food systems to address climate and food security challenges simultaneously. We affirm that this collaboration, among others, contributes to our efforts to enhance the sustainability of local agricultural products and empower local farmers by transferring knowledge and experiences.”
The MoU includes sharing knowledge on organic agriculture and sustainable farming, soil improvement techniques, climate change mitigation, nature conservation, food safety, ensuring the quality and safety of agricultural products, as well as plant and animal health measures.
(UAE PHOTO OF MOU SIGNING) GMG accelerated its farm[1]to-fork strategy at Gulfood with innovative product launches: GMG, a global well-being company retailing, distributing, and manufacturing a portfolio of leading international and home-grown brands across sport, everyday goods, health and beauty, properties, and logistics sectors, launched their latest brand and product innovation at Gulfood 2024 – the world’s largest annual F&B sourcing event.
Aligned with GMG’s values to keep evolving and reflect their commitment to meeting the changing needs and preferences of consumers, GMG introduced their latest product innovation of Farm Fresh Chicken Chips, “Shnax”. Crafted entirely from 100% chicken, these chips offered consumers a healthier snacking option, reshaping perceptions of traditional snacks and reflecting the company’s path to growth and excellence.
GMG brought back the tales of the Spice Route from East to West through their “Herbs & Spices Maison”, featuring RUH, AL SERR, & SAPORA. Additionally, GMG utilized the space as a platform to preview their latest food brands, “La Invitada”, a fusion Tex-Mex brand, and “AL SERR,” their newest food brand, a portfolio of spices, sauces, and condiments.
Mohammad A Baker, Deputy Chairman, and CEO of GMG, stated, “Gulfood was a strategic platform that propelled us into the future, where we proudly unveiled our cutting-edge products and underscored our sustained growth and strategic partnerships. This platform served as a beacon that highlighted GMG’s innovative spirit and our unique value proposition within the bustling food sector of the region. Our pioneering portfolio of new food products and engaging stories behind our brands enabled us to connect directly with industry leaders, stakeholders, and consumers at the show. Furthermore, our unique collaboration with the American University in Dubai to design our stand exemplified GMG’s vision to support and empower the next generation, bringing us closer than ever to our community.”
The company’s ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy was the key driver for this vision, which covered the entire food consumption chain, from homegrown food brands to food retail stores that distributed a plethora of brands.
Roy Nasrallah, Vice President – Marketing at GMG, stated, “At GMG, our core focus was on our consumers and pioneering innovation. The food sector presented us with a thrilling opportunity to harness our creativity, delivering unparalleled brand experiences that resonated with our audience. This year, we elevated our strategy to new heights by unveiling ‘Shnax’ under our Farm Fresh brand. This move signified a dynamic shift from traditional frozen offerings to a lively and engaging snacking option specifically designed to appeal to the health-conscious consumer. It was a bold step that reflected our commitment to revolutionizing the snacking landscape.”
