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Gulfood 2024 - Dubai World Trade Centre

GULFOOD 2024 – The World’s Largest Annual Food & Beverage Sourcing Event

The 29th edition of Gulfood 2024 was held at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 19–23 February 2024, reaffirming its position as the world’s largest and most influential food and beverage (F&B) sourcing event. The exhibition showcased the latest innovations, trends, and solutions across the global food industry, covering eight key sectors including Health & Wellness, Beverages, Fats & Oils, Pulses & Grains, Meat & Poultry, Power Brands, and World Food.

Inauguration

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated and toured Gulfood 2024. He highlighted the UAE’s growing role in facilitating global knowledge exchange and fostering partnerships that support excellence and sustainability in vital sectors of the world economy.

India Pavilion

India made a powerful impact at Gulfood 2024, with over 350 Indian companies showcasing a diverse portfolio of food and agricultural products. This strong presence reflected India’s expanding role as a global food supply leader. Traditionally a trusted supplier of grains, cereals, pulses, and processed foods to the UAE, India used Gulfood 2024 as a platform to explore new trade opportunities across the Middle East and beyond.

The APEDA Pavilion, featuring over 70 exhibitors ranging from startups to MSMEs, highlighted India’s rich and diverse culinary heritage. The UAE has emerged as India’s third-largest trading partner, driven by strong growth in food exports following initiatives such as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which boosted bilateral trade by 16% in one year.

AIREA at Gulfood 2024

The All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA) participated with a 24 sqm stand at Zabeel Hall 5. The participation was organized by Mr. Alok Bisaria, Executive Director, AIREA, and coordinated by Ms. Priyanka Marwah and Ms. Neelam Sharma, Office Executives.

The AIREA stall featured a meeting chamber, reception counter, product display shelves, storage area, and a dedicated biryani sampling counter, supported by two promoters.

The stall and biryani wet sampling area were inaugurated on 19 February 2024 by Mr. Abhishek Dev, Chairman, APEDA, in the presence of Dr. Sudhanshu, Secretary APEDA; Dr. Tarun Bajaj, Director BEDF; and Dr. C. B. Singh, Deputy General Manager, APEDA. The APEDA team highly appreciated the initiative and commended AIREA’s efforts in promoting Indian Basmati rice through live biryani tasting.

The AIREA booth received a steady flow of visitors and was honored by the presence of H.E. Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE, and Shri Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India to Dubai, along with senior officials from APEDA and BEDF.

Basmati Biryani Taste Sampling

AIREA organized continuous Basmati Biryani taste sampling throughout the exhibition in collaboration with an Indian caterer based in Dubai. The basmati rice used for sampling was sourced from the following AIREA member companies on a rotational basis:

  • M/s Sunfood Overseas
  • M/s Dunar Foods Ltd.
  • M/s Bharat Industrial Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.
  • M/s Aroma Agrotech
  • M/s Shree Jagdamba Agrico Exports
  • M/s H.R. Exports
  • M/s Janki Dass Rice Mills
  • M/s Supple Tek Industries Pvt. Ltd.

The biryani received overwhelming appreciation, with long queues of visitors eager to sample both vegetarian and chicken biryani. Two sampling sessions were conducted daily—forenoon and afternoon—with each session using 35 kg of basmati rice for veg biryani and 35 kg for non-veg biryani.

Business Meet

On 21 February 2024, a General Body Meeting of AIREA was held at the Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai, attended by a large number of members. This was followed by a Business Promotion Meet on Rice, chaired by Mr. Abhishek Dev, Chairman APEDA.

Senior officials including Dr. Sudhanshu (Secretary APEDA), Dr. Tarun Bajaj (Director BEDF), and Dr. C. B. Singh (DGM, APEDA) participated in the session. Discussions focused on the current global marketing scenario for Basmati rice and strategies to strengthen India’s market presence. Member participation—especially from young exporters—was enthusiastic and widely appreciated.

Summary & Outcome

Throughout the exhibition, the AIREA team engaged with a large number of visitors seeking information about AIREA’s role, membership process, and advertising opportunities in the association’s periodical “Rice India.” Several membership enquiries and advertising interests were received, along with numerous trade leads that are currently being circulated among members.

AIREA’s participation proved highly effective, generating valuable business leads and attracting prospective new members. Gulfood 2024 was significantly larger than previous editions, reflected in the increased footfall and engagement.

Basmati rice continues to be a cornerstone of Middle Eastern cuisine, forming an essential part of traditional dishes and daily diets. Rising demand from Middle Eastern markets is further driving the growth of the global Basmati rice industry, reinforcing India’s leadership in this segment.