Gulfood 2026 marked a defining moment for the global food and beverage industry, expanding to an unprecedented 300,000 square metres and welcoming participants from 195 countries. Held in Dubai, this year’s edition was not only larger in size but noticeably broader in ambition, reflecting the scale of global food trade and the role of Gulfood as a meeting point for strengthening international business relationships across the entire value chain.

For Greeneration, a Dubai-based vertical farm and fresh produce distributor for the HoReCa sector, Gulfood 2026 offered a clear view of how the global food industry is evolving and where meaningful opportunities now lie. Alongside its own farm-grown premium edible flowers, speciality leaves and microgreens, the company also presented a curated range of rare vegetables and salad leaves produced in the UAE and distributed locally, reinforcing its position as a one-stop supplier for professional kitchens.

The expanded format allowed Gulfood to move beyond traditional trade exhibition dynamics. Producers of raw ingredients, fresh produce, packaged food, logistics providers and service companies were represented alongside distributors and hospitality suppliers, illustrating the full scope of the food industry ecosystem. This diversity reflected Gulfood’s real purpose as a global marketplace rather than a category-specific showcase.

A strong emphasis was placed on business continuity, supply reliability and long-term partnerships. Across meetings and informal discussions, buyers consistently raised questions around consistency, quality standards, logistics and the ability to meet the needs of different markets and culinary concepts. For the hospitality sector, this translated into a growing interest in suppliers who can combine global reach with reliable regional and local sourcing..

Gulfood 2026 also introduced a more pronounced economic and policy dimension through its expanded summit programme. Topics such as food security, resilient supply chains and regional self-sufficiency underscored the role of food as critical infrastructure, especially in markets facing climate and logistical constraints. Dubai’s position as host reinforced the Middle East’s role as an active contributor to global food system innovation rather than a passive import market.

During Gulfood 2026, Greeneration operated its own stand, which attracted a steady flow of visitors throughout all days of the exhibition. The team met with long-standing HoReCa clients, including leading restaurants and hospitality groups, while also establishing new partnerships and concluding supply agreements. Visitors explored the company’s full product range, discussing sourcing strategies, applications in professional kitchens and the future of reliable, premium supply for the hospitality sector.

Gulfood 2026 demonstrated that scale and locality are no longer opposing forces. Instead, the future of the food industry lies in systems that combine global connectivity with strong operational partners on the ground, a direction that aligns closely with how Greeneration approaches the market today.