GULFOOD 2025 – THE LARGEST ANNUAL F & B SOURCING EVENT IN THE WORLD
Shri Chirag Paswan, Hon’ble Minister for Food Processing Industries, toured the 30th edition of Gulfood, the world’s largest annual global food and beverage (F&B) sourcing event which commenced at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) on Monday followed by the inauguration of the Indian pavilion. During his visit, he emphasized India’s commitment to global partnerships in food processing sector and agri exports.
India made a remarkable presence at Gulfood 2025 in Dubai, UAE, as over 350 Indian companies gathered to showcase their diverse array of products. For years, India has been a trusted supplier of various food items to the United Arab Emirates, including grains, cereals, pulses, and more. Now, with such a massive presence at Gulfood this year, India is not just showcasing its culinary expertise but also exploring new avenues for trade in the UAE and beyond.
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) pavilion featured over 80 exhibitors, from startups to MSMEs, offering a glimpse into India's diverse agri and processed foods. India is a key global food supplier. The UAE relies on imports from global markets to meet its food needs. From fragrant spices to grains, India caters to a wide variety of tastes in the UAE.
AIREA at Gulfood 2025: AIREA booked a stand space of 24sqm at Zabeel Hall 5 (Z5-D4).
During the first day of the event, 17th February 2025, Shri Chirag Paswan, Hon’ble Minister for Food Processing Industries and His Excellency Shri Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India to Dubai, inaugurated the AIREA stall. Shri Abhishek Dev, IAS (Chairman, APEDA), Dr. Tarun Bajaj (Director, BEDF), Shri Satish Goel (President, AIREA), Shri Nathi Ram Gupta (Immediate Past President, AIREA), Shri Arvinder Pal Singh (Vice President, AIREA), Shri Praveen Garg (from BD Overseas) and Shri Ranjit Singh Jossan (from Jossan Grains Pvt. Ltd.) were also present during the inauguration. The members present at the AIREA stall welcomed and greeted Shri Chirag Paswan with a small token of memento. In addition to this, he tasted the biryani sampling at AIREA stall. He liked the biryani preparation and appreciated efforts of AIREA in promotion of Indian rice through such tasting of Biryani. The beginning of the event was graced by the presence of Shri Chirag Paswan and His Excellency Shri Satish Kumar Sivan.
AIREA's participation was organized and managed by Ms. Srishti Anand, Director AIREA, co-ordinated by Ms. Priyanka Marwah, Office Executive and Ms. Neelam Sharma, Office Executive.
The stand was designed including a meeting chamber, a reception counter, a store, shelf space for display of products and biryani serving counter.
Basmati Biryani Taste Sampling exercise at AIREA stall: AIREA had tied up arrangements for Biryani taste sampling with an Indian caterer based in Dubai, throughout the show. The basmati rice was procured from the following AIREA members as per scheduled slots for sampling:
- Amar Singh Chawal Wala – Lal Qila
- Aroma Agrotech Pvt. Ltd.
- Bansal Finefoods Pvt. Ltd.
- Bharat Agro Impex Pvt. Ltd.
- Bharat Industrial Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.
- Dunar Foods Ltd.
- Shree Jagdamba Agrico Exports Pvt. Ltd.
- Sunfood Overseas
- Supple Tek Industries Pvt. Ltd.
The preparation was most appreciated and there were large queues of visitors keenly waiting to taste the veg Biryani, chicken Biryani as well as sweet rice. Everyday two sessions were conducted – one in the forenoon and other in the afternoon. Each session sampled non-veg biryani prepared from 25 kg Basmati rice, veg Biryani prepared from 20 kg Basmati rice and sweet rice prepared from 05 kg Basmati rice.
Business Meet: On 18th February, 2025, the second day of the exhibition, an exclusive AIREA - APEDA Meeting was organized in the serene environment of Taj Jumeirah Hotel, Lake Tower Dubai, which was vastly attended by members. Mr. Satish Goel President AIREA expressed sincere thanks to members who made it despite their busy schedule during the international event Gulfood 2025.
The meeting was followed by a Business Promotion Meet on Rice, chaired by Shri Abhishek Dev, IAS, Chairman APEDA. Key officials from APEDA & BEDF namely Dr. Sudhanshu, Secretary APEDA, Dr. Tarun Bajaj, Director BEDF and Dr. C.B.Singh, Deputy General Manager APEDA were also present in the meeting.The session focussed on the present marketing situation in export of Basmati rice and to evolve a strategy to grow market presence & strengthen Indian Basmati rice in global markets. Members were overwhelming in offering their views particularly the youngsters, which was very much appreciated by all.
Summary: During the show, the AIREA team had catered to a large number of visitors to the stand seeking various kind of information about functioning of AIREA, the role it plays, how to become a member and how to advertise in AIREA periodical ‘Rice India’ etc. AIREA team was able to provide appropriate information to visitors. An estimated large number of people sought membership of AIREA and showed inclination to advertise in RICE INDIA Magazine. A large number of enquiries were also received which are in the process of circulation to members.
The participation of AIREA was useful and several leads and prospective new members were found during the event. This year’s event was significantly larger, attracting a substantially higher number of visitors.
The basmati rice is an integral part of the Middle Eastern cooking and is used to cook lavish dishes which contain layers of rice, meats, and dried fruits. It also forms a part of the staple diet of many cultures, thus, further aiding the industry growth. The increasing export demand from the Middle Eastern countries is also propelling the global basmati rice market forward.
