Global Food Week witnessed intensive trade activity, with total deals signed over the three days amounting to AED 6.2 billion, reflecting a 59% growth compared to the previous edition’s AED 3.9 billion. Over 1,600 meetings were held between buyers and exhibitors from across the globe, discussing additional deals worth AED 1.7 billion. Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements were also signed, underscoring the event’s pivotal role in promoting international collaboration and advancing the global food and beverage sector.
The event, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), was organised by ADNEC Group in collaboration with ADAFSA. The event attracted significant investments and strategic partnerships that bolstered regional and global food systems, cementing Abu Dhabi’s position as a hub for agricultural innovation and supporting global efforts toward sustainable solutions for food security for future generations.
Global Food Week 2024, supported by ADQ, an Abu Dhabi’s investment company, featured four key events:
- The Global Food Security Summit, which concluded within the first two days, hosting 21 government ministers and over 80 global experts to discuss critical issues like climate-smart agriculture, agri-tech, and supply chains.
- The 3rd Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition and the 10th Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition, alongside the inaugural Abu Dhabi Coffee Festival, showcased national programmes for ensuring food availability within an integrated food security system.
The Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition provided participants access to a wide network of investors and one of the fastest-growing global food and beverage markets. It served as an effective commercial platform to showcase the latest innovations and products to regional and international stakeholders.
The event drew 34,437 visitors, achieving a remarkable 103% growth from the previous edition’s 16,899 visitors. It also featured 1,900 companies and brands, a 46% increase, with 600 new exhibitors from 67 countries – a 42% rise in participation compared to the last edition. Companies demonstrated advancements in food technology and sustainable food industries.
The UAE Farmers’ Market highlighted local agricultural milestones. Hassan Juma Al Zaabi, owner of VIP Farm and winner of the Sheikh Mansour Agricultural Excellence Award for Best Greenhouse Farm, stressed the importance of supporting food security and self-sufficiency through local agriculture.
The Plat Institute, a research and innovation institution based in Spain, impressed visitors with its work on developing sustainable alternatives to plastics and other traditional materials. By transforming oyster shells, orange and lemon peels, and coffee grounds into unique products, the institute showcased its innovations at the Future Food Museum. This museum, created in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Food Exhibition, aims to promote awareness of sustainable practices in the food and beverage industry.
Abu Dhabi’s efforts in fostering the food industry extend to companies like Polaris Technology, invited by the Emirates Entrepreneurship Association to showcase AI-powered solutions for resource planning in the food and restaurant industries.
The Global Gourmet Exhibition, held alongside the Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition, hosted several exciting events, including a VIP lunch prepared by a Michelin-star chef and cooking demonstrations by influential chefs with over 2 million followers.
The Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition, held in partnership with the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, explored the implementation of advanced technologies in date production. According to Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Secretary General of the award, this initiative cultivates agricultural innovation and supports international collaboration.
In the same context, Saleh Ahmed Al Mazrouei from Jadhour Al Dhafra discussed the innovation of date seed flour, which has been developed into various products such as baked goods and coffee, emphasising the growing interest in the sustainable use of date by-products.
The Abu Dhabi Coffee Hub brought coffee enthusiasts together, spotlighting barista competitions and interactive events such as the “Pizza Showcase” and workshops on matcha tea recipes.
Global Food Week is more than just an event – it embodied a collective commitment to ensuring food security for future generations, leveraging Abu Dhabi’s strategic position as a hub for agricultural innovation and trade.
