The Hosted Buyers Forum, held as part of Global Food Week (GFW) 2025 in Abu Dhabi, recorded exceptional business activity with deals totalling around AED5.4bn ($1.47bn) signed during the event’s first two days.
The results underscore the event’s growing importance as a global platform for connecting suppliers, investors, and major buyers across the food and beverage sector.
Global Food Week
On the first day, participants signed 18 deals worth a total of AED1.8bn ($490m).
In addition, 1,353 bilateral meetings were held between exhibitors and qualified buyers, generating a further AED750m ($204m) in business opportunities — bringing the total for day one to AED2.55bn ($694m).
Activity intensified on the second day, when 23 new deals valued at AED2bn ($544mn) were signed.
Another 2,109 bilateral meetings produced discussions on business opportunities worth AED850m ($232m), bringing the total for day two to about AED2.85bn ($776m).
Together, these results brought the forum’s two-day total to AED5.4bn ($1.47bn) in confirmed and potential deals.
Strengthening global cooperation in food trade
Organisers said the forum’s success reflects its role as a strategic platform for enhancing international business cooperation.
The event aims to expand the global network of relationships between suppliers and buyers, driving trade exchange opportunities and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a hub for the global food economy.
Industry leaders recognise the Hosted Buyers Forum as one of the most prominent international platforms for communication and business collaboration in the food and beverage sector.
A hub for cross-sector partnerships
Launched as part of Global Food Week, the forum attracted participation from top decision-makers and CEOs representing sectors including aviation, manufacturing, import and export, and logistics services.
A dedicated meeting lounge served as the central venue for networking and discussion, while private meeting rooms hosted in-depth sessions focused on cooperation, market expansion, and future trade opportunities.
Global reach and participation
Participants attended from across the UAE, GCC, Asia, Europe, America, and Africa, highlighting Abu Dhabi’s role as a global meeting point for the food and beverage industry.
The forum builds on the momentum of the previous edition of GFW, which recorded AED6.2bn ($1.69bn) in deals over three days and hosted more than 1,600 meetings between buyers and exhibitors.
That event also saw multiple memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements signed, further enhancing the UAE’s position as a leader in global food trade.
Consolidating Abu Dhabi’s leadership in global food trade
The 2025 edition reaffirmed Abu Dhabi’s leadership in fostering international collaboration, with the Hosted Buyers Forum setting a new standard for trade facilitation and cross-border partnerships in the food and beverage industry.
By bringing together key stakeholders, GFW continues to drive growth across the sector — supporting the UAE’s strategic goal of developing sustainable, resilient, and globally connected food systems.
