Dubai is set to host Future Food 2026 on September 29 and 30, bringing together government leaders, food and beverage executives, manufacturers, farmers, investors, innovators and technology specialists to explore the future of food security, manufacturing and sustainable supply chains.
The 8th Future Food Forum will take place at Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, with activities beginning from 8:00 AM. The event is organised by the F&B Business Group under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism.
Future Food 2026 is positioned as a major platform of the UAE Food Cluster, connecting decision-makers from across the food value chain to discuss how technology, investment and collaboration can create stronger and more sustainable food systems.
Future of Food Takes Centre Stage
The food and beverage industry is undergoing rapid transformation as countries respond to changing consumer demand, climate pressures, supply-chain disruption and the rise of new technologies.
Future Food 2026 will examine how governments and businesses can respond to these challenges while supporting growth and improving food security.
The two-day programme will focus on major themes including:
Food security
Advanced food manufacturing
Agriculture
Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies
Investment and finance
SME development
Research commercialisation
Sustainable supply chains
The discussions are expected to connect policy, business and technology while highlighting practical opportunities for the UAE food sector.
AI and Emerging Technology in the Spotlight
Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly relevant across agriculture, food manufacturing, logistics and retail.
AI-powered systems can potentially help companies forecast demand, improve manufacturing read more efficiency, monitor crops, reduce waste and identify supply-chain risks.
Future Food 2026 will place technology alongside food security and advanced manufacturing as one of its central themes, reflecting the growing role of digital tools across the industry.
The focus also aligns with the UAE's wider ambition to develop future-focused economic sectors based on innovation, advanced technology and entrepreneurship.
Building More Resilient Food Systems
Recent global disruptions have demonstrated how vulnerable international food supply chains can be.
Weather events, geopolitical instability, transport disruption and fluctuating commodity prices can all affect how quickly and affordably food reaches consumers.
The Future Food Forum will examine how innovation, investment, technology and cooperation can help create food systems that are more resilient and better prepared for future challenges.
For the UAE, these issues carry particular importance as the country continues investing in food security, advanced agriculture and domestic manufacturing.
Focus on Advanced Manufacturing
Food manufacturing will form another important part of the programme.
New production technologies can help manufacturers improve efficiency, automate processes, reduce waste and respond more quickly to changing consumer preferences.
The forum is expected to bring together manufacturers and technology providers to discuss how innovation can help strengthen the UAE's food-production ecosystem.
This also provides companies with an opportunity to explore new partnerships and identify solutions that can be implemented commercially.
Investment and Finance Opportunities
Building future-ready food systems requires considerable investment.
Future Food 2026 will therefore examine the role of finance and investment in supporting areas such as:
New manufacturing capacity
Agricultural technology
Food-tech start-ups
Research and development
Supply-chain infrastructure
Sustainable production
Investors attending the forum will have an opportunity to connect with businesses and innovators looking to turn new food-sector ideas into commercially viable projects.
Supporting SMEs and Entrepreneurs
Small and medium-sized enterprises are expected to feature prominently at Future Food 2026.
The event includes an SME competition, providing emerging businesses and entrepreneurs with an opportunity to present their ideas and gain greater industry exposure.
Supporting SMEs is also a wider UAE economic priority, with national strategy focused on entrepreneurship, innovation and developing future economic sectors.
For smaller food businesses, the forum can provide valuable access to investors, corporate decision-makers and potential commercial partners.
From Research to Commercial Products
One of the challenges facing many innovation-driven industries is turning research into practical products.
Future Food 2026 will address research commercialisation, exploring how universities, innovators, manufacturers and investors can work together to move promising ideas beyond the laboratory.
This could include innovations in food processing, agriculture, alternative ingredients, sustainability and production technology.
Connecting researchers directly with industry can help shorten the journey from innovation to commercial deployment.
Farmers’ Market and Innovation Showcases
Future Food 2026 will not be limited to conference discussions.
The programme will also include:
Innovation showcases
Business networking
An SME competition
A Farmers’ Market
These elements are designed to connect ideas with real businesses and products from across the food ecosystem.
The Farmers’ Market will also provide an opportunity to highlight agricultural producers and strengthen connections between farming, food manufacturing and consumers.
Who Should Attend?
The forum is designed for professionals and decision-makers across the food value chain, including:
Government representatives
Food and beverage CEOs
Manufacturers
Farmers
Investors
Entrepreneurs
Technology companies
Researchers
Supply-chain specialists
Food-system experts
Admission is listed as 16+.
For businesses operating within the UAE food sector, the event offers an opportunity to meet potential partners while keeping up with developments in technology, finance and regulation.
Future Food 2026 Event Details
Event: Future Food 2026 – 8th Future Food Forum
Dates: September 29–30, 2026
Time: From 8:00 AM
Venue: Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre
Location: Dubai, UAE
Admission: 16+
Tickets for Future Food 2026
Tickets for Future Food 2026 are available through Q-Tickets UAE.
Book tickets:
https://events.q-tickets.com/uae/eventdetails/6516495810/future-food-2026
With government leaders, industry executives, investors and innovators gathering under one roof, Future Food 2026 is set to provide an important platform for discussing how the UAE and the wider food industry can prepare for the next generation of food production, technology and supply-chain challenges.
The Bottom Line
Future Food 2026 will bring the full food value chain together in Dubai for two days focused on food security, AI, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, investment, SMEs and sustainable supply chains.
As the UAE strengthens its position as a centre for innovation and future-focused industries, the forum will offer businesses, policymakers and entrepreneurs an opportunity to turn new ideas into practical partnerships and investment opportunities.