Gulfood 2025 Highlights Plant-based, Organic and Healthy Products

Image Source – Gulfood

Gulfood 2025 – The Next Frontier in Food

Gulfood 2025 is underway in Dubai setting the stage for industry-defining moments. Touted as the world’s leading F&B event, the Gulfood 2025 edition promises to bring together major global F&B players and contribute towards the growth of Dubai and the UAE’s F&B sector. Under the theme ‘The Next Frontier in Food’, the event welcomed over 5,000+ exhibitors from 125+ countries with an estimated increase of 30% percent from 2024. According to estimates, recording breaking $20 billion trade deals will be made, representing 1% of global F&B trade. 

Demand for Health-Driven Products in the UAE on Rise

Like many European countries, Estonia is also seeking to enhance its footprint in the UAE’s F&B market by showcasing health-driven and sustainable products. In the 2025 edition of Gulfood, Estonian exhibitors are displaying plant-based alternatives and organic, clean-label, and collagen-infused wellness products to meet the growing demand of UAE health-conscious consumers to buy healthy and sustainable food products. 

Thormi Technology won the best Ready-to-Eat product award for its Shredded Chickenless in Coconut-Curry Sauce at Gulfood 2025 due to its unique taste, convenience, and sustainability. Organic, Halal-certified broths and stocks, lactose-free ice cream powders, and Collagen-infused plant-based coffees were exhibited by the Estonian F&B brands. In addition, clean-label organic baby food, probiotic functional beverages, allergen-free sunflower seed butter, and dairy-free oat drinks demonstrated Estonia’s food producers’ capabilities to offer health-driven food solutions. 

Collagen-infused plant-based coffees at Gulfood 2025

Strong Demand for Frozen Foods in the UAE

This year, the exhibitors are excited to showcase a wide range of innovative and high-quality products including meat, poultry, beverages, pulses, grains, dairy, and frozen products. According to a Belgian potato brand PomFresh which is exhibiting a frozen range has seen a strong demand for Belgian potato products in the UAE and the Middle East. In particular, there is a strong demand for A-B grade frozen french fries due to the large consumption base in the region.

Energy Drink Market on the Rise in MEA

A global energy drink brand Gorilla Energy announced its entry into the Middle East market at Gulfood 2025 by establishing its head office in the UAE and production facility in Jebel Ali. Gorilla Energy aims to capitalize on the growing Middle East & Africa (MEA) energy drink market which is estimated to reach $3.2 billion by 2030. UAE is the heart of the Middle East and is experiencing an increasing demand for functional beverages. Gorilla Energy aims to introduce juice-infused flavors in the Middle Eastern market to attract consumers having an appetite for consuming energy drinks. 

Strong Demand for Made-in-Italy Food Products in the UAE

The UAE is a strong market for Italian food products. In the first ten months of 2024, Italian exports increased by 6%, totaling nearly €344 million. Italy is among the top six suppliers of beverages and vinegar, while baked goods and dairy products have also recorded strong growth of 23% and 36%, respectively. The Gulfood 2025 edition oversees the representation of 200 Italian companies, and important trade agreements are made to help expand Italian F&B brands in the UAE market. 

UAE’s F&B Sector Set for Robust Growth

The UAE’s F&B market is projected to expand significantly, growing at a CAGR of 17%. The UAE’s F&B Sector is expected to grow $43.98 billion by 2029. The growth is supported by growth in consumer spending and Dubai’s real estate market as well as a strong economic outlook for 2025 respectively. Just a few months before (November 2024), the Gulfood Manufacturing event concluded in Dubai on a positive note. The event focused on cutting-edge innovations in food biofortification, AI-powered ingredients, nanotechnology in packaging, and smart supply chains.

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