Japan Pavilion Expands Scale and Momentum at GULFOOD 2026

From 26 to 30 January 2026, JETRO organized and operated the JAPAN PAVILION at GULFOOD 2026, held across two major venues—the Dubai World Trade Centre and the Dubai Exhibition Centre. Compared to the previous year, the exhibition expanded significantly in scale, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s largest and most influential food trade platforms.

GULFOOD 2026 brought together more than 8,500 exhibitors from 195 countries, showcasing approximately 1.5 million food and beverage products. Building on the strong international participation seen in 2025, this year’s edition further strengthened its role as a global hub for business negotiations and industry networking.

The JAPAN PAVILION featured 62 companies and organizations, marking a notable increase from the previous year and reflecting growing interest among Japanese participants in expanding into the Middle East market. JETRO supported exhibitors through on-site business matching and promotional activities, enabling active engagement with international buyers.

Among the products on display, matcha continued to attract significant attention, demonstrating sustained global demand beyond the strong interest observed in 2025. In addition, seafood products and Japanese seasonings also drew considerable interest from buyers, highlighting the broad appeal and diversity of Japanese food offerings.

Overall, the exhibition reaffirmed the strong global demand for Japanese food products, which are recognized for their quality, safety, and diversity. The expanded presence of the JAPAN PAVILION underscored Japan’s continued commitment to international market expansion and its ability to deliver high value-added products worldwide.

GULFOOD 2026 brought together over 8,500 exhibitors from 195 countries, showcasing approximately 1.5 million food and beverage products. Building on the strong international participation seen in 2025, this year’s edition further reinforced its role as a global hub for business negotiations and industry networking.