How to Exhibit at Gulfood 2026: The Complete Exhibitor Guide

Why Gulfood Is the Most Important Food Trade Show in the World

Gulfood is not just the largest food and beverage trade show in the Middle East — it is the single largest annual food trade event on the planet. Held every February at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), Gulfood consistently attracts over 5,000 exhibitors from 125+ countries and draws upward of 100,000 trade visitors over five days.

For halal food and beverage brands, Gulfood occupies a category of its own. The GCC and broader Middle East represent one of the most lucrative and fastest-growing markets for certified halal products, and Gulfood is the gateway. A single Gulfood appearance can generate enough qualified buyer leads to sustain your export pipeline for two to three years.

Gulfood 2026 is scheduled for 23–27 February 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The five exhibition halls, outdoor pavilions, and Summit conference programme will once again bring together the full value chain — from primary producers and processors to logistics providers and retail chains.

Who Should Exhibit at Gulfood 2026?

Gulfood is particularly valuable for:

• Halal food and beverage manufacturers targeting GCC retail chains, food service operators, and hospitality groups
• Agricultural producers and exporters from OIC and emerging market countries seeking Gulf and MENA distribution
• Dairy, meat, and poultry processors — these categories have dedicated hall sections and extremely active buyer traffic
• Plant-based and functional food brands — the health and wellness segment has grown significantly at recent Gulfood editions
• Packaging and processing equipment suppliers — through the linked Gulfood Manufacturing show in October
• Beverage brands (non-alcoholic) — the beverages hall is one of Gulfood's most competitive and most visited

If your target market includes the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, or any MENA country, and you have a halal-certified or halal-compliant product, Gulfood should be your first international trade show investment.

Gulfood 2026 Booth Costs and Packages

Gulfood booth pricing is set by Dubai World Trade Centre Exhibitions LLC, the official organiser. Rates have increased by approximately 4–6% annually over the past three editions.

Shell Scheme Rates (Estimated for 2026)

Package	Size	Price (USD)	Price (AED)	Price/sqm (USD)
Shell Scheme In-Line	9 sqm (3m x 3m)	~USD 11,700	~AED 43,000	~USD 1,300/sqm
Shell Scheme In-Line	12 sqm (4m x 3m)	~USD 14,000	~AED 51,400	~USD 1,167/sqm
Shell Scheme Corner	9 sqm (corner position)	~USD 12,400	~AED 45,600	~USD 1,378/sqm
Space Only	Custom (min 24 sqm)	Contact organiser	Contact organiser	~USD 900–1,100/sqm

Note: All prices are estimates based on published 2025 rates with a typical 4–5% annual increase. Official 2026 rates will be confirmed by DWTC when exhibitor registration opens, typically 10–12 months before the show. Check the official Gulfood website for confirmed pricing.

What's Included in a Gulfood Shell Scheme

A standard Gulfood shell scheme package includes:

• Modular partition walls (2.4m high)
• Carpet flooring
• Fascia board with your company name in standard lettering
• Overhead spotlights (2 for 9 sqm, 3 for 12 sqm)
• 1 power socket (220V/13A)
• 1 information counter with lockable cabinet
• 2 chairs
• 1 waste basket
• Exhibitor badges (typically 4 per 9 sqm booth)

Additional items — extra furniture, shelving, AV screens, refrigeration units, Wi-Fi, and additional power points — can be ordered through the official Gulfood contractor at additional cost. Budget an additional 20–35% of your booth cost for stand extras and services.

Space Only Stands

Space only bookings at Gulfood start at a minimum of 24 sqm. This is the preferred option for established exhibitors who want a fully custom-designed stand. You will need to engage a UAE-registered stand builder. The organiser maintains a list of approved contractors, though you are free to work with any licensed contractor.

Gulfood 2026 Hall Guide: Choosing the Right Section

Gulfood's five halls are organised by product category. Choosing the right hall and section is critical — buyer traffic is highly concentrated by category, and exhibiting in the wrong section can significantly reduce your lead quality.

• Hall 1 — Dairy and Dairy Products: One of the busiest halls. Best for cheese, butter, yoghurt, UHT milk, and dairy-based products seeking GCC retail and food service buyers.
• Hall 2 — Meat, Poultry and Seafood: Heavily attended by GCC importers, hotel groups, and restaurant chains. Halal certification is essentially mandatory here — be prepared to present your certification documentation at the stand.
• Hall 3 — Beverages: The most competitive hall in terms of exhibitor density. Best for non-alcoholic beverages: juices, water, energy drinks, functional beverages, and specialty drinks.
• Hall 4 — Food Ingredients and Technology: Targeted at food manufacturers and processors sourcing ingredients, additives, flavours, and equipment solutions.
• Hall 5 — Packaged and Processed Foods, Confectionery, Bakery: Broad category covering snacks, cereals, sauces, condiments, baked goods, and ready meals. High volume of retail buyer traffic.
• Country Pavilions (Outdoor + Sheikh Saeed Halls): Many countries organise group pavilions that allow smaller exporters to exhibit under a national brand umbrella at significantly lower individual cost. Check if your government's trade promotion agency (equivalent to MATRADE, KCIC, or your national export board) has a pavilion at Gulfood 2026.

The Gulfood 2026 Application Process

Step 1: Register as an Exhibitor

Go to gulfood.com/exhibit and complete the online exhibitor application. You will need to specify your product categories, preferred hall, and preferred booth size. Applications for Gulfood 2026 opened in mid-2025 — if you are reading this guide after October 2025, contact the organiser directly to check availability as prime positions book out early.

Step 2: Space Allocation

DWTC allocates booth space based on a combination of application order, exhibitor category, and historical participation. Returning exhibitors often get first right of refusal on their previous location. New exhibitors should apply early and be flexible on hall position.

Step 3: Contract and Deposit

Once space is allocated, you will receive an exhibitor contract. A deposit of 30–50% is typically required within 30 days of contract signing to secure your space. The remaining balance is due 3–4 months before the show.

Step 4: Stand Design Submission

For shell scheme booths, no design submission is needed unless you are making structural modifications. For space only stands, you must submit your stand design to the organiser for approval — typically 8–10 weeks before the show.

Step 5: Freight and Logistics

Gulfood has an official freight forwarder. Using them is not mandatory, but they are familiar with DWTC procedures and can handle customs clearance, on-site storage, and delivery scheduling. If you are shipping product samples for display, ensure your freight arrives at the recommended UAE port window (typically 3–4 weeks before build-up begins).

Halal Certification at Gulfood: What You Need to Know

Dubai and the broader UAE are predominantly Muslim markets with high awareness of halal certification. At Gulfood, halal certification affects not only which products you can exhibit but also how seriously regional buyers take your stand.

Key points for halal exhibitors at Gulfood:

• Display your certification prominently. Frame your halal certificate and display it at the stand. Buyers — particularly GCC supermarket chains and food service groups — will ask for it.
• UAE ESMA recognition matters. The Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA) maintains a list of recognised halal certification bodies. If your certification body is not on the ESMA list, some UAE buyers will not be able to list your products.
• JAKIM (Malaysia) and MUI (Indonesia) are widely recognised. These are among the most respected halal bodies globally and are accepted across GCC markets without issue.
• Prepare a halal dossier. Bring printed copies of your certificate, your certifying body's accreditation documents, and your halal monitoring procedure. Serious buyers will want to see the full documentation trail.

You can cross-reference your certification body against our global halal certifier directory to see its recognition status across different markets.

Budgeting for Gulfood 2026

Gulfood is a significant investment. Below is a realistic budget breakdown for a first-time exhibitor with a 9 sqm shell scheme booth:

Cost Item	Estimated Cost (USD)
Shell scheme booth (9 sqm)	$11,700
Stand extras (furniture, AV, power, Wi-Fi)	$2,500 – $4,000
Freight and logistics (product samples)	$1,500 – $3,000
Marketing materials (brochures, samples, gifts)	$2,000 – $4,000
Flights (2–3 staff, from Asia or Europe)	$3,000 – $6,000
Accommodation (5 nights, 2–3 rooms)	$3,000 – $5,000
Per diem and incidentals	$1,500 – $2,500
Total (conservative estimate)	$25,200 – $36,200

Budget $30,000–$40,000 for a first-time Gulfood appearance as a realistic all-in number. This sounds substantial, but Gulfood's buyer quality makes it one of the best return-on-investment trade shows globally when executed well.

Maximising Your ROI at Gulfood 2026

Gulfood is too expensive to attend passively. Brands that get the best ROI treat it as a concentrated export sales campaign, not just a booth presence.

Before the Show

• Book meetings in advance. Use Gulfood's official matchmaking platform and LinkedIn to set up 15–20 pre-scheduled meetings with qualified buyers before you arrive. Empty show hours are wasted show hours.
• Apply for the Hosted Buyer programme. Gulfood's hosted buyer programme brings in senior procurement executives from regional supermarket chains and hotel groups. Request to be matched with hosted buyers relevant to your product category.
• Prepare your pricing in AED and USD. GCC buyers will ask for your landed cost in UAE. Have your CIF Dubai pricing ready, including freight, duty, and distributor margin assumptions.

During the Show

• Staff your stand for the full five days. Gulfood's busiest days are typically Day 2 and Day 3. Day 1 (Monday) is quieter as logistics are finalised. Day 5 (Friday) is shorter. Plan your senior team's presence accordingly.
• Capture leads systematically. Use the official Gulfood lead capture app or bring your own CRM setup. Every business card should be scanned and categorised before you leave the hall each day.
• Attend the Gulfood Summit. The parallel conference programme covers key trends including halal industry developments, sustainability in food production, and GCC retail market evolution. It is a valuable intelligence-gathering resource and a networking opportunity distinct from the show floor.

After the Show

• Follow up within 5 days. Gulfood generates enormous lead volume. Buyers see hundreds of exhibitors. Your follow-up speed is what separates you from the noise. Send personalised emails — not mass blasts — within 5 days of the show closing.
• Qualify before you quote. Not every Gulfood enquiry is a genuine purchase intent. Qualify by asking about current supplier, volume requirements, and decision timeline before investing in a detailed commercial proposal.

Gulfood vs. Other Halal Trade Shows: When to Choose Gulfood

Gulfood is not always the right first trade show for every halal brand. Use this comparison to decide where to prioritise your budget:

Show	Best For	Total Budget	Halal Focus
Gulfood (Dubai)	GCC + MENA market entry, large-volume buyers, premium positioning	$25K–$40K	Medium-High
MIHAS (Kuala Lumpur)	OIC-wide market, ASEAN distribution, halal certification sourcing	$8K–$15K	Very High
SIAL Middle East (Abu Dhabi)	UAE retail chains, smaller scale than Gulfood, lower cost	$12K–$20K	Medium-High
Anuga (Cologne)	European market access, retail chains, private label sourcing	$18K–$30K	Low-Medium

For most halal brands targeting the GCC market, the recommended sequence is: MIHAS first (lower cost, strong halal positioning, excellent buyer quality for OIC markets) → SIAL Middle East (test UAE market at lower cost) → Gulfood (scale up once UAE distribution is established).

See all upcoming events in our global halal expo calendar, including Gulfood 2026 event details and booth packages.

Key Dates for Gulfood 2026

• Exhibitor registration opens: Approximately May–June 2025 (already open)
• Early booking deadline (preferred space): Approximately September 2025
• Space only stand design submission deadline: Approximately November 2025
• Build-up begins: Approximately 20 February 2026
• Show dates: 23–27 February 2026
• Breakdown: 27 February (evening) – 28 February 2026

All dates are estimated based on historical Gulfood scheduling. Confirm exact deadlines at gulfood.com/exhibit.

Final Checklist: Are You Ready to Exhibit at Gulfood 2026?

• ✅ Valid halal certification from a recognised body
• ✅ Product registered or registerable for UAE import (ESMA requirements)
• ✅ CIF Dubai pricing calculated for your product range
• ✅ English-language product catalogues and data sheets ready
• ✅ Budget of $25,000–$40,000 allocated
• ✅ 2–3 experienced sales staff available for all five show days
• ✅ Lead capture system in place
• ✅ Post-show follow-up sequence prepared

Gulfood 2026 is one of the most valuable five days a halal food brand can invest in. The key is preparation — the brands that generate the best results at Gulfood spend as much time planning the six months before the show as they do on the show floor itself.

Browse Gulfood 2026 booth packages and event details on HalalExpo, or explore our full exhibitor guide library for more halal trade show resources.