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ADNEC Group, a Modon company, is organising the largest edition of Global Food Week in strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The October event will for the first time integrate a dedicated business-to-consumer platform called Shop at the Show, enabling visitors to buy products on-site from exhibitors while allowing producers to gain immediate market feedback. This approach aims to connect the full food ecosystem, from farmers and startups to international brands, within a single integrated experience at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
The programme spans eight specialised sectors that cover multiple stages of the food and beverage value chain, according to an ADNEC Group announcement. These include dedicated zones for honey producers, the 12th edition of the Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition, a new beverage sector offering tasting sessions, agritech solutions, a farmers’ area for direct fresh produce sales, and an animal feed innovation zone. International pavilions will complement these displays by showcasing global products, cutting-edge innovations and traditional items tailored to evolving market demands.
Organisers reported that the 2025 edition drew more than 40,000 visitors and facilitated agreements valued at AED6.6 billion with participation from over 2,000 exhibitors representing 75 countries. The 2026 gathering builds on that foundation by expanding both trade and consumer components to stimulate further investment and business growth in the sector. WAM figures show the previous event also featured extensive policymaking sessions that advanced discussions on supply chain resilience.
The second edition of the Global Food Security Summit will run alongside the exhibition, convening policymakers, researchers and industry executives to address challenges in global food systems. ADAFSA’s involvement underscores Abu Dhabi’s commitment to positioning the emirate as a centre for sustainable food innovation and security solutions. Registration for the exhibition and summit is now open, allowing early access for stakeholders seeking to engage with decision-makers and buyers.
Dr Tariq Ahmed Al Ameri, acting director-general of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, affirmed that Global Food Week embodies Abu Dhabi’s vision of building a more sustainable and innovative food system. He noted the event’s role in enhancing supply chain readiness and supporting the global competitiveness of the food and beverage sector. The new consumer-facing element is expected to raise awareness, speed adoption of novel products and create direct growth avenues for participating SMEs, local farmers and startups.
A hosted buyers programme will again connect exhibitors with pre-qualified international purchasers to foster partnerships before, during and after the event. This initiative, combined with the hybrid format, offers businesses privileged entry into one of the world’s fastest-growing F&B markets. ADNEC Group stated that the expanded scope will strengthen networking, knowledge exchange and investment opportunities across the entire value chain.
