Indian startups are set to showcase their latest agricultural products and innovations at Gulfood 2026, the world's largest annual food and beverage event, held in Dubai from January 26-30. This year marks a significant milestone as India is the partner country for Gulfood, highlighting its growing importance as a reliable source and key contributor to global food security and resilient supply chains.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is spearheading India's participation with a strong and expanded presence. India's participation at Gulfood 2026 is aligned with the opportunities emerging from the India–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has strengthened bilateral trade ties and enhanced market access for Indian agri and food products in the Gulf region.
The Indian pavilion has doubled in size compared to the previous year, reflecting the increasing global demand for Indian agri-food products and greater participation from exporters, institutions, and startups. The pavilion will host 161 exhibitors from 25 states and regions, showcasing the country's diverse agricultural landscape. These include Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Region-specific agri-products, GI-tagged items, organic produce, and value-added food products will be prominently displayed, demonstrating India's expanding role in international agri-trade.
A key attraction within the Indian pavilion is the "BHARATI Pavilion," an APEDA initiative dedicated to promoting export-ready agri-food and agri-tech startups. Located in the Startup Zone at the Dubai World Trade Centre, this pavilion features eight high-potential Indian startups selected from over 100 applicants through a national-level process. These startups will showcase innovative products, technology-driven solutions, and export-enabling offerings aligned with APEDA's "Farm to Foreign" vision.
Gulfood 2026 is expanding to two mega venues for the first time, the Dubai World Trade Centre and the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai. The event has sold out more than 280,000 square meters of event space across both venues, recording an unprecedented 100 percent expansion in a single year. India has a strong presence at both locations. The Dubai Exhibition Centre hosts the World Food Hall, Pulses, Grains and Cereals Hall and Gulfood Green, focusing on sustainability, innovation and future food systems. The Dubai World Trade Centre hosts the Beverage Hall and the Startup Hall, including the Bharati Pavilion.
India is focusing on Gulf markets to boost agricultural exports. The UAE is India's second top export destination after the US, with total exports to the Gulf nation crossing $28.9 billion in the first nine months of the current financial year, a 7.43% growth compared to $26.9 billion in the same period the previous year (April-December 2024).
APEDA is also introducing new products to the market and signed a memorandum of understanding between the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and APEDA on cooperation in food safety and technical regulations on January 19.
