From January 26 to 30, Ukraine showcased its agri-food potential at one of the world’s most influential food and beverage exhibitions — Gulfood 2026, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, across two venues simultaneously: Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Expo City. The event brought together more than 8,500 exhibitors from 195 countries, presenting over 1.5 million product items.

For Ukraine, participation in Gulfood is of strategic importance, as the UAE serves as a key trade hub for the Gulf region — a market that relies on food imports for up to 90% of its consumption. The combination of import dependency, multicultural consumer demand, and strong purchasing power makes the UAE a critical entry point for Ukrainian producers working with high value-added products and targeting the mid-range and premium consumer segments.

For companies, Gulfood is first and foremost a practical opportunity to test market demand, establish direct contacts with international partners, and expand their presence in foreign markets. This year, Ukraine was represented by more than 70 exporters, including a number of producers specializing in organic products, berries, and nuts.

National Pavilion of Ukraine at Gulfood 2026

The National Pavilion of Ukraine at Gulfood 2026 brought together 10 domestic food producers and exporters specializing in organic products, berries, and nuts.

BRAIN BOX LLC, DFC “WAIZ” LLC (ТМ Dear Baby), Catanzaro Eurazia LLC (Alta Kraina), PANFRUIT UKRAINE LLC (ТМ Panfruit Ukraine), KARMALIUK LLC, SOFIA NUTS LLC (ТМ Sofia Nuts), TERRA LLC, TEVITTA TRADING LLC (ТМ Tevitta), YULIIA FC (ТМ Orniberry), YAROFRUIT LLC (ТМ Yarofruit).

Producers showcased a diverse range of products — from frozen and dried berries and fruits to organic chips, concentrated juices, breakfast cereals, grains, and crispbreads. For the first time, the companies were presented at the Dubai Expo City venue.

Over 1,300 B2B Meetings and New Contracts: Results of the National Pavilion

During the five days of the exhibition, Ukrainian exporters held more than 1,300 B2B meetings with potential partners from the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and North America.

Interest in Ukrainian products was expressed by representatives from India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Israel, Poland, Jordan, Turkey, Canada, Oman, Pakistan, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Taiwan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States, Kazakhstan, Qatar, China, Germany,  Italy and others.

As a result of negotiations, over 50 potential partnerships were established with partners from Israel, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and the UAE. Some of these contacts are already at the stage of detailed discussions and commercial calculations. In particular, preliminary agreements were reached on the supply of corn to Israel and onions to Belgium.

Several negotiations are nearing finalization, including prospective collaborations with partners from Spain, the United States, Moldova, and Romania. Opportunities for deliveries to markets in Dubai, Germany, and Italy are also being explored.

Ukrainian producers had direct discussions with importers, distributors, and retailers, strengthening prospects for entering new markets and concluding export contracts. More detailed information on the profiles and products of the participating Ukrainian companies is available on the official project link.

Visit of the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka to the National Pavilion of Ukraine (Hall 1, Stand 2-2)

Ukraine’s participation in Gulfood 2026 took place with the involvement of government representatives responsible for shaping trade policy. The Ukrainian exposition was visited by Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, and Denis Bashlyk Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine.

During discussions with participants of the National Pavilion, key topics included expanding access for Ukrainian products to international markets, advancing value-added exports, and the role of international exhibitions as a practical tool of economic diplomacy.

Visit of Denys Bashlyk, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine, to the National Pavilion of Ukraine (Hall 1, Stand 2-2)

Ukraine’s diplomatic mission in the United Arab Emirates also played a key role in supporting Ukrainian companies at the exhibition. The National Pavilion of Ukraine was visited by Oleksandr Balanutsa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the UAE, and Oleksii Liashenko, Consul of Ukraine in Dubai.

During the meetings, participants discussed practical aspects of entering the UAE market, establishing long-term trade relations, and leveraging the country’s role as a regional hub for further scaling of Ukrainian exports.

Additionally, the exhibition featured the inaugural International FoodAgro MeetUp — a professional networking event that served as a platform for open dialogue between Ukrainian exporters and international importers and industry experts. The meeting brought together participants from more than 30 countries and focused on practical issues of partnership development, exchange of market insights, and discussion of global trends in the food industry.

For Ukrainian producers, the MeetUp provided an opportunity to present their export potential and engage directly with international decision-makers on market expectations.

Market Outlook: Gulf Countries

The UAE market is characterized by high quality standards and strict compliance requirements, while also offering access to a solvent and discerning consumer base. Among the key consumption trends is the growing demand for health-oriented and functional foods, including organic products, sugar-free items, and plant-based alternatives. At the same time, interest in premium, craft, and niche products is steadily increasing. Notably, innovative flavors and ethnic foods are gaining popularity, alongside the rapid development of e-commerce.

However, successful market entry requires clear positioning, product adaptation to local preferences, and readiness to operate in the mid-range and premium price segments.

Gulfood 2026 served as a strong platform for Ukrainian producers to showcase their products and demonstrate their capacity to compete in a global marketplace. The exhibited goods highlighted the competitive advantages of Ukraine’s agri-food sector in the organic segment, where high quality, supply reliability, and compliance with international standards come together.