Global Food Week 2026 Returns to Abu Dhabi With India as Guest of Honour
By Thasmiya
Abu Dhabi is preparing to welcome the global food and agriculture industry as **Global Food Week 2026** returns to the capital from **Tuesday, October 6 to Thursday, October 8**.
Taking place at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, this year’s event will be its largest edition yet, bringing together **2,580 exhibitors, buyers, investors and policymakers from 92 countries**. India will take centre stage as the official **Guest of Honour**.
## **When and where is Global Food Week 2026?**
Global Food Week will run from **October 6 to 8, 2026**, with the exhibition open daily from **9am to 6pm** at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
The event is organised by ADNEC Group in strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority.
General exhibition areas have a **16+ age requirement**. However, visitors under 16 can access the designated **Shop at the Show** halls when accompanied by an adult aged 18 or above. Paid visitor parking is available at Car Parks A and B.
## **India is the Guest of Honour for 2026**
One of this year’s biggest highlights is India’s participation as Global Food Week’s Guest of Honour.
A dedicated India pavilion will bring together Indian food companies, brands and exporters with UAE government entities, buyers, investors and food-security leaders.
Participation will cover food and agriculture, exports, retail, logistics, packaging, technology, finance and investment. Business meetings, brand showcases and investment discussions are also planned.
Beyond business, India’s presence will also celebrate the country’s **culture, cuisine, creativity and community**, giving visitors another reason to explore the event.
## **You can actually shop at Global Food Week this year**
For the first time, Global Food Week is introducing **Shop at the Show**, a dedicated consumer retail experience.
Rather than simply viewing products or meeting exhibitors, visitors will be able to purchase selected **food, beverages, honey, dates and agricultural products directly from participating local and international brands**.
The new concept marks a significant change for an event traditionally focused heavily on business, government and industry participants.
## **Food lovers have plenty to explore**
Global Food Week is not only about conferences and business meetings.
The returning **World Gourmet Show** will feature live cooking experiences with chefs using ingredients supplied by exhibitors.
Visitors can also explore a dedicated beverage section featuring emerging products, flavours and trends.
A **Honey Tasting Station** will provide opportunities to sample honey from the UAE and other countries while learning about different origins and production methods.
The **Farmers Market** will bring fresh produce and locally made products directly from UAE farmers and producers.
## **UAE farmers get their own platform**
The **Farmers Majlis** returns as a dedicated space connecting members of the UAE farming community.
It provides an opportunity to discuss challenges, new agricultural practices and opportunities within the country’s food-production sector.
The event is also introducing an **Abu Dhabi Honey Symposium** in collaboration with Apimondia, bringing together researchers, policymakers, beekeepers and industry representatives.
Discussions will examine sustainable beekeeping in arid environments, climate adaptation and the role of bees and honey production in food security and biodiversity.
## **AgriTech takes centre stage**
Technology will play a major role throughout the three-day event.
The **AgriTech Forum** will explore emerging agricultural technologies, AI-powered production, investment opportunities and scientific research.
The first day focuses on agricultural technology, followed by investment on day two and academia and research on the final day.
The programme is designed to connect promising agricultural solutions with the financing, research and partnerships required to implement them at scale.
## **Global Food Security Summit returns**
Running alongside Global Food Week is the second edition of the **Global Food Security Summit**.
Governments, international organisations, investors, researchers and private-sector leaders will discuss some of the biggest challenges affecting global food systems.
Topics include **strategic food corridors, AI-driven food ecosystems, nutrition security, sustainable water management, resilient supply chains and investment**.
October 6 will focus on international cooperation for global food security, while October 7 will examine innovation, technology and future food systems.
## **FAO programmes will also be part of the event**
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations will hold its **FAO Policy Majlis** from October 7 to 8.
Policymakers, researchers, innovators, young people, financing partners and private-sector representatives will discuss transforming agrifood systems across the Near East and North Africa.
Global Food Week will also host **YalaFast**, FAO’s international youth leadership programme, bringing emerging leaders together to develop ideas for more resilient and inclusive food systems.
## **Why Global Food Week is getting bigger**
The scale of the 2026 edition follows significant growth last year.
According to the Abu Dhabi Media Office, the 2025 event featured more than **2,000 exhibitors and brands from 75 countries**, welcomed more than **40,000 visitors** and generated agreements worth **AED 6.6 billion**.
The 2026 edition expands the concept further by combining its established business, investment and policy focus with experiences designed for everyday consumers.
## **Planning to visit? Here’s what to know**
**Dates:** October 6–8, 2026 **Timings:** 9am–6pm **Venue:** ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi **Main exhibition:** Ages 16+ **Shop at the Show:** Under-16s permitted in designated halls when accompanied by an adult aged 18+ **Parking:** Paid parking available at Car Parks A and B **Dress code:** Traditional attire or smart casual; shorts, sleeveless tops and revealing clothing are not permitted.
Visitors can register through the official Global Food Week 2026 website.
## **Why this matters**
Global Food Week is becoming much more than an industry exhibition.
With India joining as Guest of Honour, consumers able to shop directly from producers, live culinary experiences, UAE farmers, global food brands and discussions around AI, agriculture and food security, the 2026 edition brings both the business and consumer sides of food together.
For UAE residents interested in discovering new products and flavours, the **Shop at the Show, India pavilion, World Gourmet Show, Farmers Market and honey experiences** make this year’s edition particularly accessible beyond the food industry.
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