Dubai: The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) spearheaded the city’s presence at SIAL Paris 2026, showcasing Dubai-based food and beverage (F&B) manufacturers on a major international platform to support their global expansion. Held from 17 to 21 October, the exhibition enabled manufacturers to connect with international buyers, importers and distributors as part of wider efforts to expand Dubai’s export base and strengthen the emirate’s position as a global hub for F&B manufacturing and trade.
The 30 manufacturers joining DET represented a broad range of F&B categories, including confectionery, beverages, tea and coffee, dairy products, ready-to-eat foods and snacks, sauces and condiments, bakery products, dates and dried fruits, and healthy and functional foods. The showcase gave buyers a clear view of the diversity, quality and export potential of Dubai-manufactured products, while reflecting the growing sophistication of the emirate’s food production sector.
Organised by DET, the Dubai Pavilion also featured Dubai Industrial City and DP World’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), highlighting how Dubai’s industrial infrastructure, logistics capabilities and trade services support manufacturers from production through to international distribution. Their participation underscored the integrated ecosystem available to companies operating from Dubai, including access to Jebel Ali Port, advanced warehousing, free zone services and established routes to regional and global markets.
Over the course of the event, the Dubai Pavilion hosted more than 600 business meetings with international buyers and distributors from key markets, including France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a competitive hub for food and beverage exports.
The city’s participation in events such as SIAL supports the ambitions of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy and substantially increase manufacturing value added. By creating direct engagement between Dubai-based manufacturers and international buyers, the participation advanced DET’s efforts to strengthen export readiness, open new market opportunities and support the international growth of locally manufactured products.
His Excellency Hadi Badri, Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), the economic development arm of DET, said: “Dubai’s engagement with platforms such as SIAL Paris 2026 reflects our commitment to supporting manufacturers in translating local capability into global opportunity. Food and beverage manufacturing is a vital contributor to the city’s continued economic diversification, industrial value creation and export growth. As we work towards achieving the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, we are bringing together infrastructure, logistics, market access and public-private collaboration to enable companies to innovate, increase productivity and compete with confidence in a changing global trade environment. Our focus remains on continuing to work with our partners and engage with businesses to widen market access, attract investment and support manufacturers as they scale from Dubai to the world.”
Showcasing Dubai-made products
Throughout the exhibition, participating companies engaged with buyers, distributors and industry stakeholders from Europe and other international markets, exploring potential routes to retail, hospitality, wholesale and specialised food channels. These interactions supported market intelligence, product visibility and commercial discussions that can help manufacturers assess demand and prepare for future expansion.
Dubai Industrial City’s participation highlighted the role of industrial infrastructure in supporting food manufacturing and business expansion. A dedicated Jafza zone within the Dubai Pavilion showcased F&B brands operating from the free zone and underlined the role of Jebel Ali’s integrated port, logistics and distribution network in connecting Dubai-based manufacturers with customers across international markets.
Abdulla Al Hashmi, Global COO – Parks & Economic Zones, DP World, said: “Dubai is a major hub for international food trade, connecting producers, manufacturers and distributors with markets around the world. Jafza’s F&B exports and re-exports are worth AED5.5 billion, representing approximately 35% of Dubai’s total. With more than 856 F&B companies operating in Jafza, around 10% of which are involved in manufacturing, processing, packaging and other value-added activities, Jafza provides the scale, capabilities and connectivity businesses need to compete internationally. At SIAL Paris, we showcased how this ecosystem can help European food businesses reach new markets, strengthen supply chains and grow internationally.”
Saud Abu Alshawareb, Executive Vice President – Industrial, TECOM Group, speaking on behalf of Dubai Industrial City, said: “A cohesive manufacturing and logistics ecosystem is essential to strengthening global food supply chains and building a more food-secure future. Dubai Industrial City provides sector-specific infrastructure, strategic connectivity and a collaborative environment that enable food and beverage manufacturers to innovate, scale, and serve regional and international markets, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global industrial hub. Our participation at SIAL Paris 2026 as part of the Dubai Pavilion offered us an opportunity to connect with the international F&B manufacturing community and showcase the emirate’s industrial and logistics competitiveness.”
Europe remains an important market for Dubai’s F&B manufacturers, offering access to established distribution networks, diverse consumer segments and global buyers serving multiple regions. Participation at SIAL Paris provided a platform for manufacturers to present their products, develop buyer relationships and explore opportunities beyond their current export footprint.
Through the Dubai Pavilion, DET and its partners highlighted both the products manufactured in Dubai and the wider ecosystem supporting their international expansion, helping to advance D33’s goals of building a more balanced, competitive and globally connected economy.
Ananya Narayan, CEO, Hunter Foods, said: “Being at SIAL Paris alongside DET has given us the opportunity to reflect, reconnect with old partners, forge new relationships beyond the 60 countries we export to, and draw inspiration from global innovation.
“We leave re-energised, refocused, and proud of our journey. Resilient in spirit and powered by the Dubai brand, we look ahead to becoming bigger, better, and stronger – in Dubai, from Dubai, and for the world. The best is yet to come. Thank you for the support and the opportunity to be a part of the Dubai pavilion at SIAL.”
Abdul Rahman Alokozay, Managing Director of Alokozay Group, added: “SIAL Paris 2026 offered Alokozay Group valuable opportunities to connect with international buyers, strengthen partnerships and explore new export markets. Participating in the Dubai Pavilion, organised by DET, as one of the key F&B brands within Jebel Ali Free Zone enhanced our global visibility and allowed us to showcase the quality and competitiveness of our UAE-manufactured products to a worldwide audience.”
Prapthi Rai, General Manager of Product & Process Excellence at Barakat Group, said: “SIAL Paris 2026 provided Barakat Group with an exceptional platform to accelerate our international expansion and showcase our innovative UAE-manufactured portfolio, including Ambient Wellness Shots, Chocolate-Coated Fruit Bites, Frozen Fruit Purees, and many more. It enabled us to connect with global distributors, explore new export markets, and establish strategic partnerships. Being part of the Dubai Pavilion is a proud moment for Barakat, showcasing Dubai's emergence as a world-class food manufacturing and innovation hub. This platform strengthens our global visibility and demonstrates that Dubai-manufactured products meet international expectations for quality, innovation, and competitiveness.”