Spain’s industrial foodtech sector made a strong impact at Gulfood Manufacturing 2025, the Middle East’s leading event for food processing and packaging technologies, held from 4 to 6 November at the Dubai World Trade Center. The fair, recognised as the largest of its kind in the MEASA region, once again demonstrated its strategic importance for Spanish companies aiming to expand their international footprint.
With 80,000 m² of exhibition space and 2,500 exhibitors from 79 countries, the event brought together the full food and beverage value chain—from ingredients and processing to packaging, supply-chain solutions and automation. It also hosted the Foodtech Summit, featuring discussions on factory digitalisation, food safety, circular ecosystems and sustainable finance.
The Spanish pavilion, organised by amec, gathered a robust group of leading companies: Canopak, BEOR, INVpack, Bonals, TAVIL, Tecaire, Roser, Metronics Watercut, Machine Point, Hermasa, Fibosa, and Tecno Alimentaria Valenciana. These firms—representing packaging technologies, processing machinery, industrial engineering, and turnkey foodtech solutions—showcased some of Spain’s most advanced capabilities to an international audience.
Gulfood Manufacturing attracted 55,500 professional visitors from 180 countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, India, Italy, Egypt, Algeria, the UK, and the United States. Decision-makers across the sector attended: food technologists, plant designers, researchers, procurement managers, industrial bakers, large-scale butchers, manufacturers, and retailers. The show also draws representatives from hotels, hypermarkets, food service operators and industrial kitchens, positioning it as a comprehensive meeting point for global F&B production.
According to amec’s market outlook, the UAE ranks as the fifth most promising market for Spanish industrial companies, with Saudi Arabia in tenth place—a clear indication of the region’s growing strategic value. Despite the emergence of Saudi Food Manufacturing, the Dubai event maintained its leadership. A slight decrease in Saudi visitors was offset by a rise in attendees from other countries, particularly India, confirming the fair’s continued pull and resilience.
Spanish companies expressed strong satisfaction with both the volume and quality of the business contacts made during the fair. Many highlighted the value of the synergies created within the national pavilion, which amplified networking opportunities and strengthened the collective visibility of Spain’s industrial offering.
The pavilion itself received excellent feedback for its design, decoration, and strategic location among the national stands, all contributing to improved visibility and positioning. Exhibitors emphasised that the unified Spanish presence helped project a cohesive, competitive and modern image—reinforcing the “Marca España” in a key international market.
Gulfood Manufacturing 2025 has once again proven to be a crucial gateway for Spain’s foodtech industry, providing an exceptional platform for global expansion. With a rapidly growing regional demand for advanced processing and packaging solutions, Spanish companies are well-positioned to capture new opportunities and consolidate their presence in the Middle East.
As emphasised by amec’s representative in the region, the fair remains “an essential meeting point for Spanish foodtech and a high-value instrument for the international positioning of the industry.”
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