ABU DHABI, 2 October — Abu Dhabi is preparing to welcome the global food and agriculture industry next week as Global Food Week 2026 opens on Tuesday, 6 October, at the ADNEC Centre.

The three-day event, running until 8 October, is organised by ADNEC Group in strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA). It brings together industry leaders, investors, researchers and entrepreneurs, and Gulf News has reported that participation has reached a record 92 countries.

India takes centre stage

India will be Guest of Honour this year, a role the organisers say reflects its close relationship with the UAE and its growing influence on global food systems and agricultural innovation.

A dedicated India pavilion will let Indian companies, brands and exporters meet government bodies, buyers, investors and food security specialists. Participation covers food and agriculture, exports and market access, retail and logistics, packaging and technology, and finance and investment. The programme includes business meetings, brand showcases and investment talks, along with displays of Indian culture, cuisine and creativity.

The new feature: Shop at the Show

The biggest addition for 2026 is Shop at the Show, a retail platform where visitors can buy food, drinks, honey, dates and farm products directly from participating local and international brands.

Familiar attractions return alongside it. The World Gourmet Show will feature live cooking by renowned chefs using ingredients supplied by exhibitors, and the Beverage Sector will let visitors discover new brands and flavours. The Honey Tasting Station invites guests to sample honey from the UAE and abroad, while the Farmers Market will sell fresh produce and locally made goods straight from UAE growers.

Where the serious business happens

For professionals, the Hosted Buyers Programme arranges targeted meetings between qualified buyers, exhibitors and suppliers, and the Announcements Stage will be used for product launches and partnership signings throughout the event.

The conference agenda is broad:

• Global Food Security Summit (6 and 7 October): focuses on international cooperation, supply chain integration, smart technology, and bringing next-generation leaders, women and local producers into the conversation.

• AgriTech Forum (6 to 8 October): explores agricultural technology, investment, research and the use of AI across the value chain.

• Farmers Majlis: a platform for dialogue with the UAE's farming community.

• Abu Dhabi Honey Symposium: held with Apimondia, it will discuss sustainable beekeeping in arid environments, with a field day on 8 October.

• World Organisation for Animal Health GCC and Africa Workshop: covers safe trade pathways and transboundary animal health.

• YalaFast: the FAO's international youth leadership programme.

• FAO Policy Majlis (7 and 8 October): brings together policymakers, experts, youth representatives and private-sector stakeholders to discuss agrifood systems transformation in the Near East and North Africa.

Why it matters

Food security has become a strategic priority for the UAE, which imports most of what it eats and has invested heavily in technology to grow more in desert conditions. A recent Gulf News report on Abu Dhabi and Bayer exploring desert crop trials is one example of that push.

This year's timing also carries extra weight. Rising energy costs and supply-chain pressure in the region have kept attention on how food moves across borders, which is exactly the subject of the week's summits. India, a major agricultural exporter and one of the UAE's largest trading partners, is a natural fit as guest nation.

What visitors should know

Anyone planning to attend should expect a mix of trade-focused and public-facing activity, with the retail zone, tastings and Farmers Market aimed at general visitors. Ticketing, opening hours and registration details are available through ADNEC and the official Global Food Week channels, and visitors are advised to check them before travelling, as they were not included in the latest announcement.