Exporters
Rice, spices, meat, dairy, fruit and processed-food companies exhibiting or in national pavilions.
Trade fair guide · Dubai
Gulfood 2027: a guide for Pakistani food and beverage exporters
Gulfood is the food and beverage show where Pakistani rice, spice, meat, dairy and processed-food exporters meet buyers from the Gulf, Africa and Asia. Since 2026 it runs across two large venues in Dubai.
Key facts
Gulfood at a glance
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Dates | 15–19 March 2027 |
| Hours | 10:00–18:00 from 15 to 18 March; 10:00–17:00 on 19 March |
| Venues | Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai |
| Visa | UAE visit visa approved before travel; exhibitors can ask the organiser about the events visit visa |
| Weekdays | The show runs Monday to Friday; the UAE weekend is Saturday and Sunday |
Check before travel: visa rules, fees, processing times and event dates change without notice. This page was checked on 11 November 2026 against the Gulfood official website (gulfood.com). Confirm on the official source, or ask us to check for your trip, before you book anything non-refundable.
Who goes
Who from Pakistan attends Gulfood
Buyers and traders
Importers and distributors sourcing for Pakistan and re-export.
Brands
Food brands meeting retail chains and distributors from the Gulf and Africa.
Two venues
Plan your days by venue
With halls at both DWTC and Dubai Exhibition Centre, check which venue your sector and your buyers are in before choosing a hotel. DWTC is central, on Sheikh Zayed Road; Expo City is in the south of the city. Moving between them takes time at peak hours.
Hotels
Dubai in March
March is busy in Dubai and the show adds demand. Book early, and for stand teams near the venue where your hall is.
Samples
Carrying product samples
Food samples are subject to UAE import and food-safety rules, which differ from general baggage rules. Most exhibitors send samples through the organiser’s official freight route rather than in luggage. Check with the organiser and your freight forwarder before you pack anything.
Timeline
A planning timeline for Gulfood
4–5 months out
Confirm stand or visit; book hotels.
8 weeks out
Book flights; collect passports and photos.
3–4 weeks out
Visit visas or events visas applied for.
2 weeks out
Samples shipped; venue transport planned.
After
Buyer follow-up meetings; single invoice.
FAQ
Gulfood questions
When is Gulfood 2027?
15–19 March 2027, at Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre.
Can we carry food samples in our luggage?
Food samples are subject to UAE import and food-safety rules. Check with the organiser and your freight forwarder; most exhibitors ship samples through the official route.
Do visitors need a UAE visa?
Yes, Pakistani visitors need a UAE visit visa approved before travel.
Is Gulfood 2027 during Ramadan?
No. Ramadan 2027 is expected to end in early March, and Gulfood runs 15–19 March 2027. Meetings planned for the weeks before the show may fall in Ramadan or over Eid.
Exhibit or visit
What changes for exhibitors and buyers
Exhibitors need build-up time before the opening on 15 March, a team on the stand all five days and a plan for samples. Visitors and buyers can come for two or three days and spend the rest of the week on meetings in Dubai. For both, it pays to check which venue your sector is in before booking a hotel.
In 2027 Ramadan is expected from around early February to early March, with Eid al-Fitr shortly before Gulfood opens. If you plan meetings in Dubai before the show, check the dates: working hours are shorter in Ramadan and many people travel over Eid.
Plan with Go Global
Planning a Gulfood delegation?
Tell us who is travelling, when and why. We reply with a plan, the visa route and a quote. Email insights@goglobal.pk or WhatsApp 0320-4111222.