Welsh food and drink sector to take largest-ever delegation to Gulfood 2026

Daniel Bevan - Editor

Subscribe to the Businessin Wales daily newsletter for FREE here.

Wales will showcase its food and drink industry at Gulfood 2026 in Dubai later this month, with a record 19 companies attending the world’s largest annual food and beverage trade exhibition.

Supported by the Welsh Government, the delegation will include a mix of established exporters and businesses new to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market, as they meet international buyers between 26 and 30 January to explore new export opportunities.

The MENA region is Wales’ second largest export market for food and drink after the European Union, with £64m of goods exported in 2024.

Overall, Welsh food and drink exports have grown by 47% since 2019, reaching £839m in sales.

In the Dairy Hall, producers will include Rachel’s Dairy, First Milk/Golden Hooves and Dairy Partners, while the International Hall will feature brands such as Bloomin Foods, Euro Foods and Sheriffs Biltong Ltd, alongside other Welsh exporters seeking to build new international partnerships.

The delegation builds on momentum from Blas Cymru / Taste Wales 2025, held last October, where more than £45m of potential sales were registered within weeks of the event and where many MENA buyers first met Welsh producers.

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs Huw Irranca-Davies said: “Wales’ food and drink industry continues to go from strength to strength on the global stage.

“We know how important the region is for the industry, and how much it values the quality of the food and drink products that we are able to offer.

“Gulfood provides an invaluable platform for our producers to build on this and form new partnerships in the region.

“I’m proud to see that this will be our largest ever delegation at the event, and I look forward to hearing some of the success stories of our producers as they secure new partnerships and markets.”

Among the exhibitors is Rachel’s Organic, which will appear in the Dairy Hall with its range of organic yogurts and desserts.

Anita Richards, International Trade Manager at Rachel’s Organic, said: “Gulfood is a key moment in our export calendar. We’re proud to represent Welsh organic dairy on a global stage, showcasing the depth of our range and our commitment to great taste, organic integrity and responsible sourcing.

“It’s an invaluable opportunity to meet buyers from across the MENA region and strengthen long-term partnerships.”

Sheriffs Biltong Ltd will also exhibit in the International Hall. The west Wales business, co-founded by food producer Ruth Davies and former Wales rugby captain Ken Owens, produces air-dried beef snacks using PGI Welsh Beef.

Owens said: “We’re excited to introduce Sheriffs’ high protein, air-dried beef snacks to new international buyers at Gulfood. The show is the ideal platform to build distribution, meet like-minded partners and champion Welsh provenance and craft in a fast-growing category.”

The Cymru Wales stand will host live cooking demonstrations and tastings during the week, with Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales chef Elwen Roberts preparing canapés using Welsh ingredients on 27 and 28 January at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai.