Gulfood Manufacturing 2025 Drives AI, Sustainability in F&B
Gulfood Manufacturing 2025 concluded its impactful run at Dubai World Trade Centre on 6 November, solidifying the Middle East’s position as a burgeoning hub for food technology and investment. The event reported double-digit growth and showcased a new era of AI-driven, sustainable food production.
As a leading global gathering for F&B manufacturers and supply chain pioneers, the 2025 edition saw over 2,500 exhibitors from 79 countries fill 21 halls. The sprawling exhibition space showcased hundreds of next-generation ingredients, breakthrough technologies, and state-of-the-art machinery aimed at recalibrating efficiency and boosting profitability.
Over three days, the event connected global leaders, innovators, and decision makers driving progress across the F&B manufacturing ecosystem, sparking collaboration, discovery, and transformation across every stage of production.
Key Themes and Innovations
Gulfood Manufacturing 2025 focused heavily on key pillars including AI-driven foodtech intelligence, sustainability-led design engineering, and next-generation ingredient science. Major industry players unveiled cutting-edge technologies and signed significant deals that are set to shape the future of the F&B supply chain.
AI and Automation: A primary focus was on smart manufacturing, with companies launching new global portfolios of advanced automation and digital solutions to accelerate AI readiness in smart factories. Innovations included IoT-enabled sensors, AI vision systems designed to reduce waste by up to 25%, and advanced robotics for enhanced efficiency and safety.
Sustainability and Circularity: Sustainability was a core theme, with numerous exhibitors presenting eco-engineered packaging solutions such as fully recyclable mono-polyethylene (mono-PE) pouches with high recycled content and paper-based insulated packaging. Discussions centered on reducing carbon footprints, responsible sourcing, and creating circular ecosystems within food production.
Next-Gen Ingredients: The event showcased a diverse range of new ingredient concepts inspired by consumer trends in health and affordability. Innovations included new sugar reduction solutions, flavour enhancing systems, and an expanded range of plant-based and alternative protein options, reflecting the growing demand for diverse nutritional choices.
FoodTech Summit
The accompanying FoodTech Summit provided a critical forum for over 100 global experts and policymakers from companies like Mars, Tetra Pak, and Unilever. Discussions delved into the next frontier of industrial food, covering topics such as metaverse-powered factories, food safety protocols, and investment trends in food technology. Renowned global AI strategist and investor Mark Minevich explored how intelligent, self-adapting systems are creating ‘living supply chains’ and ‘zero-waste efficiency’.
Magnet for Global Business
With national pavilions from Japan, Korea, and Russia making their debut with novel offerings, the event facilitated global networking and deal-making, underscoring the Middle East’s strategic position as a gateway to markets in MENA, South Asia, and Africa. The strong international participation and focus on advanced solutions highlighted the region’s increasing importance in realigning global food supply chains and securing food sovereignty through technological advancement.
Mark Napier, Vice President and Director – Exhibitions & Events, Dubai World Trade Centre, comments on the show’s significance: “Dubai stands at the perfect inflection point for global industrial transformation. Under Operation 300bn and the UAE leading AI adoption in manufacturing, the nation is powering a new wave of advanced, intelligent production. As the world’s industries realign toward technology-driven efficiency and sustainability, Dubai’s strategic position, infrastructure, and policy vision make it the natural focal point for change. Gulfood Manufacturing sits at the heart of this evolution, its exponential growth reflects the region’s role as the hub of AI-driven industrialisation.”
Gulfood Manufacturing 2025 successfully connected industry leaders and innovators, setting the stage for a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable future in the global food and beverage manufacturing landscape.
