The upcoming UAE Future Food Forum 2025 is poised to be a pivotal event for the food and beverage industry, projected to triple to $43.98 billion by 2029. Set to take place in Dubai under the auspices of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, this gathering of global leaders aims to reshape and fortify sustainable food systems within the region and beyond.
Scheduled for September 23–24 at Le Méridien Dubai Hotel and Conference Centre, the seventh edition of the Forum will attract key decision-makers from every facet of the global food value chain. This collaboration is particularly timely, as the UAE’s food and beverage sector recently surged to a market value of $13 billion (AED 47.7 billion) in the first half of 2024.
Growth Projections and Economic Impact
The UAE food sector is on an impressive trajectory, anticipated to grow to $43.98 billion (AED 161.6 billion) by 2029, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 17.09%. Abdullah Bin Touq, Minister of Economy and Tourism, lauded the Forum as a testament to the UAE’s commitment to embracing innovative solutions that bolster industry growth and enhance food security.
Bin Touq emphasized, “The Forum reflects the nation’s commitment to supporting global partnerships and fostering collaboration between government, private sector, and academia.” He highlighted the UAE Food Cluster as a sustainable economic model aimed at nurturing new generations of farmers and producers to adopt best practices in agriculture.
This initiative stands as a national strategy designed to align various stakeholders across the food ecosystem, advancing the UAE’s food security and sustainability objectives.
Enhancing Global Connectivity
This year’s Forum aims to deepen global connectivity, linking the UAE with food ecosystems in Africa, Central Asia, and Europe. Key initiatives include the creation of a Knowledge Hub to disseminate valuable insights and best practices, in addition to implementing a Global Buyers Programme that connects local producers with international markets.
Positioned as a gateway to the $65 billion (AED 238.7 billion) GCC food market, these strategies are expected to strengthen supply chains and reinforce the UAE’s status as a regional hub for trade and food security.
Insights from Industry Leaders
Saleh Lootah, Chairman of the Cluster Board, noted the necessity of integrating trade, technology, policy, and production in the current food landscape. “Future Food Forum 2025 offers a single-point agenda where these priorities can be unified with a clear forward-looking direction,” he stated. “We are keen to strengthen the UAE’s position in global food trade while contributing to robust and more connected food ecosystems on a global scale.”
The roster of speakers at this year’s Forum features esteemed figures from various sectors, including:
- Rania Abou Samra, Vice President and Head of Innovation & R&D at Nestlé Middle East and North Africa
- Dr. Ian Roberts, Chief Technology Officer at Bühler Group
- Tom Harvey, General Manager – Commercial at Spinneys
- Jens Michel, CEO of Abu Dhabi Food Hub – KEZAD
- Najla Al Midfa, Vice Chair and Managing Director of the Emirates Growth Fund
- Muhammed Ghassan Aboud, Chairman of Ghassan Aboud Group
- Rami Habbal, Chief Executive Officer at GS1 UAE
The Forum’s two-day agenda will include engaging ministerial sessions, technical panels, CEO dialogues, and stakeholder roundtables, covering essential topics such as trade opportunities under CEPA agreements, supply chain resilience, and advancements in food technology.
As the global food and beverage sector experiences rapid expansion, the outcomes of the UAE Future Food Forum 2025 are expected to pave the way for enhanced international collaboration. This aligns with the UAE’s ambition to position its food industry as a central pillar in economic diversification and a committed partner in the evolving global food economy.