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9/23/25, 4:54 PM Future Food Forum 2025 to transform food sector as UAE F&B market eyes US$ 44bln valuation by 2029
Saleh Lootah, Chairman of the Cluster Board, said, “The food ecosystem today is increasingly driven by
the convergence of trade, technology, policy, and production. Future Food Forum 2025 offers a single-
point agenda where these priorities can be unified with a clear forward looking direction. We are keen to
strengthen the UAE’s position in global food trade while contributing to robust and more connected food

ecosystems on a global scale.”

The Forum agenda includes the launch of the Cluster’s new initiatives such as a Knowledge Hub for
exchanging insights and best practices, and a Global Buyers Programme to connect local producers
with international markets. With the UAE serving as a gateway to the US$ 65 billion GCC market, the

Forum’s initiatives aim to strengthen local supply chains while fortifying the country’s position as a
regional hub for trade and food security.

Speakers at this year’s Forum will include senior leaders and experts from across the regional and
global food and beverage ecosystem. Alongside Saleh Lootah, the lineup features Rania Abou Samra,
Vice President and Head of Innovation & R&D at Nestlé Middle East & North Africa, Dr. Ian Roberts,

Chief Technology Officer at Bühler Group, Tom Harvey, General Manager – Commercial at Spinneys,
and Jens Michel, CEO of Abu Dhabi Food Hub – KEZAD, Her Excellency Najla Al Midfa, Vice Chair and
Managing Director of the Emirates Growth Fund, Muhammed Ghassan Aboud, Chairman of Ghassan

Aboud Group, and Rami Habbal, Chief Executive Officer at GS1 UAE, among others.

Across two eventful days, the programme will include high-level ministerial sessions, technical panels,
CEO dialogues, and stakeholder roundtables. Discussions will cover trade opportunities under CEPA
agreements, supply chain resilience and infrastructure capacity, Industry 4.0 and digital transformation
in food manufacturing, as well as innovations in nutrition and emerging food categories.

The Forum is presented by Food Tech Valley, with founding partners Almarai, Al Ain Farms, Al Ghurair

Group and IFFCO Group. DP World is also on board as trade enabling partner, while Abu Dhabi Food
Hub – KEZAD is the food market access and supply chain partner. Platinum partners include Al Islami,
Nestlé Middle East, RSA Cold Chain, and BRF, with GS1 UAE joining hands as the innovation partner.

As the global F&B sector continues to expand, the outcomes of the discussions in Dubai are expected to

lay the foundation for stronger collaboration across the industry, supporting the UAE’s ambition to make
the sector a key contributor to economic diversification while reinforcing its role as a long-term partner in
the global food economy.

About Future Food Forum 2024:

The Future Food Forum 2024 is hosted by the UAE Food & Beverage Business Group; it aims to

connect and develop the food and beverage manufacturing industry and leaders and empower industry
growth. It is the largest gathering of top executives and policymakers to address evolving consumption
patterns and foster holistic health and well-being. The Forum will discuss trends and challenges in the

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