Food Export turns global access into growth for U.S. food and agriculture companies at Gulfood 2026.
Originally launched in 1987 to fill a gap in the market of Middle Eastern region, Gulfood has expanded to feature thousands of exhibitors from across the globe. The event has now established itself as a leading food and beverage trade exhibition, providing opportunities for food professionals to discover the latest products, analyze market trends, and form collaborations and partnerships. This year, Gulfood welcomed over 8,500 exhibitors from 195 different countries.
As global demand for U.S. food and agricultural products continues to grow, Food Export-Northeast and Food Export-Midwest expanded its presence at Gulfood 2026 to help suppliers capitalize on new export opportunities. Food Export supported 33 U.S. companies representing 23 states and a wide range of categories including food and beverages, oils and sauces, seafood, dairy, pet food, animal feed, and foodservice solutions.
“International markets continue to offer meaningful growth opportunities for U.S. food companies, and geography plays an important role in how efficiently they can access them.” said Brendan Wilson, CEO and executive director of Food Export. “With more than two-thirds of the world’s population reachable within an eight-hour flight from Dubai, Gulfood allows Food Export to efficiently connect our suppliers with serious buyers across multiple regions and help them build relationships that drive long-term export growth.”
To encourage new exporters and deepen buyer engagement, Food Export complemented its exhibition presence with a targeted buyers mission and its Food Show PLUS™ services. These programs brought qualified international buyers directly into structured meetings with U.S. suppliers, while shared booth options lowered barriers for first-time exhibitors and allowed companies to test the Gulf market with reduced risk. Furthermore, for the first time, Food Show PLUS! participants benefited from pre-arranged meetings with buyers from Africa and India, reinforcing the Gulf’s role as a regional trading hub and extending the potential reach of U.S. products.
“The growth we’re seeing reflects years of relationship-building and trust,” said Anna Kizirian, Middle East In-Market Representative for Food Export. “Companies come to the Gulf because Food Export helps them meet qualified buyers and navigate the market with confidence.”
Through exhibitions like Gulfood and complementary buyer engagement programs, Food Export continues to create practical, results-driven pathways that help U.S. companies grow and sustain international sales. Food Export’s hands-on approach helps move conversations beyond the show floor toward long-term relationship building and real-time export sales.
Read the full Gulfood 2026 press release.
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