The Future Food 500 Summit is underway in Dubai as part of the Gulfood 2026 exhibition, bringing together global food industry leaders, entrepreneurs and investors at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Discussions at the summit are centred on breakthrough product innovation, category shifts, AI-driven solutions, sustainability and startup-led transformation across regional and global markets.
Speakers say the food tech ecosystem is evolving rapidly, with strong focus on personalised nutrition, biotech-enabled manufacturing and circular supply chains. One industry expert noted that “consumers today are demanding more nutrition and sustainability, and the industry must respond with solutions that deliver real value.”
Biotech-enabled bio-manufacturing has emerged as a key theme, with attention on using engineered microorganisms to produce proteins and other ingredients, as well as carbon-based inputs for new food formulations. The concept of food as medicine and personalised nutrition is gaining momentum, driven by rising demand for more nutritious and functional foods. Sustainability and circularity are also in focus, particularly the upcycling of food waste into high-value ingredients.
Industry leaders observed that the sector has undergone a recalibration following a peak in global investment in 2021 and a subsequent slowdown aligned with wider venture capital trends. While capital-intensive segments such as vertical farming, food delivery and insect protein have been most affected, investment flows have stabilised, with a modest rebound expected between 2026 and 2027.
The summit coincides with a record-setting Gulfood 2026, with India participating as the partner country, and for the first time operating across two major venues, as stakeholders seek to translate insight into industry action amid shifting global market dynamics.
