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Focused Trade Missions

Focused Trade Mission to the Middle East for Retail and Foodservice

Early Bird Registration Request Information
Event Date
December 8—11, 2026
Location
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Early Registration Deadline
Sep 25, 2026
Early Registration Price
$425

Jumpstart Your Product Export Sales to the Middle East

The Middle East regional market covers the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC-6) members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Saudi Arabia. The region offers significant market opportunities for exporters of U.S. agricultural and food products due to key factors such as:

  • The region’s economy continues to grow, supported by energy market stability and economic transformation initiatives.
  • Governments are actively working to diversify their economies away from oil, leading to growth in other sectors and creating new export opportunities, particularly across the tourism, real estate, and manufacturing sectors.
  • Growing consumer demand. Consumers in the Middle East, especially in the GCC countries, have high disposable incomes and are increasingly interested in premium, healthy, and specialized products. 
  • Initiatives for food security. Due to the dry nature of the region and limited agricultural production capabilities, local governments are investing in import diversification to secure a reliable food supply.
  • Expanding retail market. Modern supermarkets, hypermarkets, and online grocery platforms are developing quickly in the area.
  • The region has established itself as a large import market. Countries like Saudi Arabia are frequently in the top 20 markets for U.S. processed food products.

Download the Flyer for the Focused Trade Mission to the Middle East for Retail and Foodservice

Products of Interest

Top U.S. products in demand:

  • Food Preparations and Ingredients  
  • Processed & Prepared Dairy Products  
  • Condiments, Sauces & Dips
  • Jams, Jellies & Sweet Spreads  
  • Snack Foods  
  • Fats and Oils 
  • Edible Oils  
  • Confectionery  
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
  • Breakfast Cereals  
  • Soups
  • Baby Food

Mission Itinerary 

Tuesday, December 8, 2026: Arrive in Dubai

Wednesday, December 9, 2026: Briefing & Retail Tour

Thursday, December 10, 2026: One-On-One Meetings with Buyers

Friday, December 11, 2026: One-On-One Meetings with Buyers

Saturday, December 12, 2026: Depart

Travel Information

Please consider resources such a www.travel.state.gov when determining if this event is appropriate for you or your company.

Focused Trade Mission Services Provided

  • One-on-one meetings with qualified buyers
  • Pre-event custom product research including market overview, importation and distribution analysis
  • Market briefing by local USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service
  • Retail store tour
  • Table top showcase
  • Inclusion in Trade Mission brochure containing your company profile, contact details and product lines
  • On-site assistance by Food Export’s In-Market Representative
  • Identifying top leads
  • Interpreter for Meetings
  • Translation of up to two pages of marketing material into the local language

Preparation Assistance

Market Profile

Start your trade mission journey now.
We have the market intelligence you need to make informed decisions to determine if this market is right for your products.

Access in-depth country-specific data and industry research

Complimentary Webinars

Our educational webinars provide up-to-date
exporter intelligence regarding specific markets, logistics, trade financing, documentation, how to meet and follow-up with international buyers, and much more.

View Available Webinars

Export Essentials Online

Whether you’re new to exporting or need to
refresh your skills, this free online training course provides a comprehensive, flexible approach to learning the fundamentals and logistics of exporting.

Learn More

BRANDED PROGRAM

Double Your International Marketing Budget

With the Branded Program, you may be eligible for 50% reimbursement on:

  • Promotions and product demonstrations
  • Advertising
  • Select international travel costs
  • Marketing and point-of-sale materials
  • Foreign market compliant packaging/labeling
  • And much more!
Learn More about the Branded Program

 

 

Your Connection To Growth®

©2026 Food Export Association of the Midwest USA and Food Export USA–Northeast. All Rights Reserved.


Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations or alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact us. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online https://www.ascr.usda.gov/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer.

Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast reserve the right to deny services to any firm or individual which, in the sole opinion of Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast, does not comply with FAS, MAP or Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast regulations or policies, or otherwise offer the best opportunity to achieve its mission of increasing food and agricultural exports. Submission of any false or misleading information may be grounds for rejection or subsequent revocation of any application or participation. Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast are equal opportunity employers and providers.