AGP Executive Report

Food Safety Enforcement: Abu Dhabi’s ADAFSA temporarily closed Yummy Indian Bite Restaurant after repeated food-safety violations, saying corrective actions weren’t effective and the closure will stay until standards are met. Recycling & Plastics Economy: Cairo’s “Garbage City” (Manshiyet Nasser) is seeing a war-driven plastic demand boost as factories call recyclers to deliver compressed plastic amid Strait of Hormuz disruptions tied to the US-Iran conflict. Health & Nutrition Markets: New market outlooks point to continued growth in calcium-fortified beverages, chia seed smoothies, chicory root coffee, and premium wine segments like carignan blanc—fuelled by functional nutrition and evolving consumer tastes. Hospitality & Lifestyle: Israel’s Canaan Hotel in the Upper Galilee is highlighted for its nature-forward setting and amenities, reflecting ongoing travel interest in food-and-stay experiences.

Egypt Plastic Supply Shock: Cairo’s “Garbage City” (Manshiyet Nasser) is turning war-driven plastic shortages into profit, with factories now calling recyclers directly as Strait of Hormuz disruptions tighten supply. Food Security & Supply Chains: A UK commentary warns that cheap, import-reliant food systems leave the country exposed to geopolitical shocks, with panic-buying fears echoing past crises. Sustainability in Dining: Turkey’s “Meze by the Sea” goes beyond cleanup, removing tons of fishing gear and ghost nets and shifting into habitat restoration with reefs and seabed work. Hospitality & Growth: Modon and Nammos Hotels & Resorts expand on Egypt’s North Coast with “Nammos Ras El Hekma,” signaling continued investment in regional leisure. Community Food Culture: In Jerusalem, a pub owner frames World Cup broadcasts as a rare social pause amid regional tensions, highlighting how food venues keep communities connected.

World Cup watch culture in the Gulf: UAE fans are lining up for Spain vs Argentina finals with big-screen and fan-zone viewing options, pairing matchday excitement with food and drink across Dubai’s venues. Hospitality leadership in the region: Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort (Saint Lucia) named Simon Winchester as resort manager after years overseeing its food & beverage program, including prior executive chef roles in Doha. Food safety and outbreaks: Reuters highlights how U.S. restaurant chains are being hit by foodborne illness scares, with Taco Bell set to stop using lettuce tied to an ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak. Food & beverage business moves: Uber’s $14.8bn deal to acquire Delivery Hero will bring Foodora Hungary under the Uber umbrella, expanding the delivery giant’s footprint. Market signals for drinks and convenience: Multiple industry reports point to continued growth in categories like ice makers, frozen meals, and energy drinks—demand driven by foodservice and on-the-go lifestyles.

Saudi Hospitality Launch: Marriott’s W Hotels opened W Riyadh – KAFD, adding 210 rooms and multiple dining concepts to Saudi Arabia’s capital, with a new outdoor lounge planned later this year. Egypt North Coast Development: Modon Holding and Nammos Hotels & Resorts unveiled Nammos Ras El Hekma, a fully integrated Mediterranean-style destination in Egypt’s Ras El Hekma masterplan, including residences, a resort, village, and a restaurant & beach club. Israel Food-Safety & Security: Police arrested an 18-year-old suspect tied to grenade attacks on Japanika restaurant branches in central Israel, as investigations continue into a wider crime network linked to the chain. Food Tourism & Culture: A National Geographic Traveller feature spotlights Bahrain’s Manama souk breakfast culture at Haji’s Cafe, famed for clay-oven khubz and fresh cream. UAE Dining Picks: A UAE breakfast guide highlights popular spots and smoothie/milkshake favorites, reflecting continued demand for casual, late-opening breakfast options. Food Tech Market Watch: A report projects the global food traceability technology market to reach $46.27B by 2034, driven by food safety and tracking needs.

Iraq Inflation Watch: Iraq’s annual inflation eased to 3% in May (from 4.3% in April), with consumer prices down 1.2% month-on-month, driven mainly by cheaper food, vegetables and fuel; food and non-alcoholic beverages fell 3.1%, while meat prices rose 1.7% and dairy/eggs/fish also increased. Middle East Conflict & Trade: Markets stayed jittery as the U.S.-Iran standoff continued, with reports of Iran telling Yemen’s Houthis to close the Bab El Mandeb gateway if U.S. strikes hit the region—an angle that can ripple into logistics and food supply costs. Israel-Greece Hospitality Incident: An Israeli tourist in Athens says a restaurant refused service after she disclosed she was from Israel, adding to concerns about antisemitism affecting dining and tourism. Egypt Tourism & Hospitality: Modon Holding and Nammos Hotels & Resorts unveiled Nammos Ras El Hekma on Egypt’s North Coast, a fully integrated destination with residences, resort keys, and a restaurant & beach club as part of the wider Ras El Hekma masterplan. Food Safety (Health): U.S. health agencies report a major cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to produce like lettuce, onions, cucumbers and salad greens, urging thorough washing and safe handling.

Humanitarian Funding Crunch: UN chief Antonio Guterres urged donors to plug a $100m gap for UNRWA, warning millions of Palestinian refugees across Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Gaza could lose core rations, shelter, education and health support as access and security constraints persist. Hospitality & Tourism Development: Abu Dhabi’s Modon Holding and Nammos Hotels & Resorts announced Nammos Ras El Hekma for Egypt’s North Coast, adding branded residences, a luxury resort, dining and a beach club within the Ras El Hekma masterplan. Halal Business Push: Vietnam’s halal firms are seeking global partners at Grand Halal Bangkok 2026, a Thailand-led event drawing 500 exhibitors and 15,000 visitors across food, beverages and wider consumer sectors. Food Supply Chain Under Strain: A UN Human Rights report highlights how Sudan’s gum arabic trade is entangled in the war economy, raising human rights risks for industries that rely on the ingredient, including food and beverage. Market Watch (Food Prices): U.S. retail data shows seafood inflation continues—June prices rose across fresh, shelf-stable and frozen categories, with volume softening in fresh. Industry Finance (Alcobev Trade): India-UK’s new trade pact takes effect, with CIABC saying lower duties on Scotch whisky could ease input costs for Indian alcohol producers amid Middle East-linked cost pressures.

Packaging & Sustainability: Monomaterial packaging films are forecast to rise from $6.36bn (2025) to $8.78bn (2030) as brands shift away from multilayer packs to meet recycling and circular-economy rules. Inflight Food Costs: In-flight catering pricing is driven less by food quality and more by short-notice ordering, airport/region logistics, and temperature-controlled delivery and packaging. Hospitality & Dining Growth: Riyadh’s Italian scene gets a spotlight with new and established spots like II Barretto, Azzuro and La Rustica. Middle East Drinks Trade: The UK Embassy in Israel hosted a British gin showcase in Tel Aviv, highlighting £3.99m in UK gin exports to Israel (2024) and pushing new distributor and hospitality partnerships. Food Safety & Regulation: Thailand’s Bangkok bar fire death toll climbed to 32, with authorities pointing to exit-door and licensing failures and ordering nationwide venue inspections. Consumer Prices Watch: June inflation cooled in the US, with food up slightly and nonalcoholic beverages down, while energy easing helped overall CPI. Health Trend: Research continues to link regular spicy-food intake with lower mortality risk, though experts warn the cause-and-effect story isn’t settled.

Tourism & Hospitality: Türkiye ranked fourth for international visitor growth (up 21% from 2019-2025), with OECD noting geopolitical and climate risks could still disrupt travel demand. Food Safety: Kochi, India—about 50 people fell ill after eating Mandi rice at Al Reem Restaurant; authorities shut the eatery and collected samples. Restaurant Security: Israel police say grenade attacks on Japanika chain branches in Rosh Pina and elsewhere are linked to organized crime, with arrests made as investigators brace for reprisals. Beverage & Dining at Events: Inkcarceration 2026 in Ohio will sell alcohol to 21+ guests, while outside food is restricted to sealed water and refillable plastic bottles; festival vendors handle all other food and drinks. F&B Business in Saudi: Amsa Hospitality and Artal Hotels signed management deals for three Riyadh properties, including restaurants/cafés and phased rebranding into Hyatt’s portfolio by end-2026. Plant-Based & Health Trends: Research coverage highlights mint’s potential digestive and oral-health benefits, while another report links regular spicy food intake with lower mortality risk.

Middle East conflict & food supply: Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis traded major strikes, raising fears the end of a truce could disrupt regional logistics and keep pressure on food and farm input costs. Fertilizer price squeeze: With Middle East tensions driving up urea and other chemicals, the Philippines is considering tariff cuts on Canadian farm inputs to ease costs for sugarcane and livestock producers. Food safety alert (Lebanon): In southern Lebanon, Tyre’s beach and tourism recovery is underway after ceasefire-linked returns, but businesses are still rebuilding after conflict damage. Restaurant security (Israel): Israeli police arrested suspected crime boss Yossi Musli over grenade attacks targeting the Japanika restaurant chain, highlighting how instability can hit dining operations. Food & beverage business moves: In the US, fast-casual operator CookNSolo is closing Federal Donuts locations and shrinking Goldie—an example of how weaker lunch demand is reshaping restaurant footprints. Health & nutrition: New reporting highlights mint’s potential digestive and oral-health benefits, adding to ongoing interest in functional ingredients.

Middle East Hospitality Expansion: Saudi Arabia’s Global City Dammam is gearing up for its second season with major upgrades, including 23 international pavilions, 13 restaurants, 60 food-and-beverage kiosks and six cafés, plus new attractions like an AI/robotics Future District and an expanded investment zone. Hotel Growth in the Region: Radisson Hotel Group says it signed and opened 160 hotels in H1 2026, with Middle East momentum highlighted by openings such as Radisson Blu in Dubai and Riyadh. Food & Beverage Safety/Operations: Israel’s Japanika sushi chain faced a wave of grenade attacks across multiple cities, raising concerns for franchise operations and consumer safety. Packaging & Supply Chain: Market reports point to rising demand for protective and reclosable zipper packaging—both relevant to food freshness, e-commerce shipping and waste reduction. Eco Policy for Drinks: Korea’s environment ministry is pushing major F&B chains to phase out single-use plastics, offering discounts for reusable tumblers. Food Culture Spotlight: Türkiye’s olive oil heritage was showcased in London through a gastrodiplomacy tasting event focused on Aegean extra virgin oils.

GCC inflation stays tame: GCC-Stat says 2025 inflation held at 1.8% for the second straight year, with food & beverages up just 1.2% and restaurants/hotels at 1.6%—a steadier backdrop for Middle East dining budgets. Local price pressure watch: In Nepal, inflation jumped to 5.22% in mid-June, with food & beverage inflation at 4.95% and fuel costs rising after US-Iran tensions—another reminder how energy can quickly hit grocery baskets. Dammam’s food-and-leisure push: Global City Dammam’s second season is set to add 13 restaurants, 60 food kiosks and six cafés, plus new global markets and pavilions, targeting 5.2M+ visitors. Foodservice growth model: Brake Time Corner Market’s expansion playbook focuses on keeping what customers like (even after acquisitions) and protecting service consistency—an approach relevant to fast-casual operators across the region. Fraud case update: Developer Michael Shvo’s Mandarin Oriental condo fraud claims were largely dismissed by a New York judge, easing pressure on the project’s sponsor. Health & menu angle: Mint is getting fresh attention for potential digestive and oral-health benefits, while spicy-food research continues to link hot peppers with lower mortality risk.

Food Safety Tech: FoodChain ID launched an AI-powered risk intelligence solution that connects regulatory, food safety, and supply-chain data to help food and beverage firms spot emerging risks earlier. Health & Nutrition: A new report highlights mint’s potential benefits, citing research on peppermint oil for digestive relief and other supportive effects. Middle East Trade & Logistics: Heathrow said June passenger traffic fell 1.8% year-on-year, with Middle Eastern traffic down 26.2% amid regional war impacts. Gulf Economy Watch: GCC-Stat reported GCC inflation stayed low at 1.8% in 2025, with food and beverages rising 1.2% and restaurants/hotels at 1.6%. Hospitality & Culture: Türkiye used gastronomy to spotlight its cuisine at the NATO summit in Ankara, serving 20,000+ meals across events. Regional Food Culture: Türkiye’s olive oil heritage was showcased in London via a premium extra virgin tasting event featuring Urla and Milas oils. Industry & Markets: Teikoku Databank expects processed food price hikes to continue, linking increases to Middle East-driven crude and naphtha costs.

Food Delivery Regulation: Bahrain’s MP Jalal Kadhem is pushing rules for delivery apps to curb high charges and restaurant commissions, arguing the market has grown faster than existing oversight and needs caps plus clearer operating standards. Local Dining Culture: Kuwait’s World Cup watch parties are driving late-night ordering, with fries leading the most-ordered item and peaks before kick-off, according to Deliveroo data. Industry & Trade: CMC secured a new Gulf market for value-added cocoa, signaling continued investment in regional food supply chains. Health & Nutrition (Food Trends): Nutrition coverage highlights mint’s potential benefits, pointing to research on peppermint oil for digestive comfort and other supportive effects. Politics (Non-food, but widely covered): U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham died at 71 after a brief illness; while not food-related, it dominated headlines this week.

Stadium Operations & Food Service: SoFi Stadium’s World Cup run is being hailed as a real-world test for its next mega-events, with venue execs saying ticketing, crowd flow, and food & beverage service held up under repeated high-pressure matches. Market Demand (Beverages & Snacks): PepsiCo reported Q2 growth driven by India beverages and convenient foods, with its international beverage franchise posting volume gains led by India. Local Dining & Culture (Palestinian roots in Dubai): Yava in Dubai’s Wasl 51 is spotlighted for Palestinian home-style dishes, with the menu framed around family memory rather than “Mediterranean” branding. Hospitality & Community (UAE delivery riders): A Dubai resident is donating hundreds of meals to delivery riders, turning everyday ordering into a steady food-support drive. Travel & Food Culture (Cairo): A Cairo travel feature highlights Ramadan-era classics like tea at El Fishawy and feteer, positioning street food as the city’s “essence.” Health & Nutrition (mint): Nutrition experts discuss mint’s potential benefits, including digestive support and oral health, citing research on peppermint oil for IBS symptoms. Food & Celebrity Culture (Mumbai chai stop): Christopher Nolan, Matt Damon and Tom Holland are reported enjoying chai and bun maska at Olympia Coffee House in Colaba ahead of The Odyssey premiere.

Hotel & Dining Openings: Portabella Restaurant reopened under new ownership in Bluefield, adding Egyptian-style dishes and expanding delivery via GrubHub, Uber Eats and DoorDash. Luxury Hospitality: Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere in the UK completed a £125m makeover and is rolling out a new Gordon Ramsay signature restaurant this summer. Food & Health: Nutrition experts say mint may support digestion, stress reduction and oral health, with research often focusing on peppermint oil for IBS symptom relief. Food Safety: A U.S. cyclospora outbreak is raising alarms; experts warn that washing produce may not fully remove parasites, and sanitizers like bleach may not work well. Middle East Business & Trade: CMC secured a major cocoa export deal with Gulf firms, signaling continued momentum in regional cocoa sourcing. Hospitality Demand Watch: PepsiCo reported North America snack and beverage softness tied to higher gas prices from the Iran war, with consumers tightening budgets. Regional Tourism Costs: Euronews Business analysis of Eurostat data finds Turkey is the cheapest among seven popular European holiday destinations, with lower overall price levels. Community & Service: Bahrain’s Royal Humanitarian Foundation held a Gratitude March for frontline heroes, including recognition of Marassi Galleria and Treni Restaurant.

Gulf Cocoa Deal: Ghana’s Cocoa Marketing Company (CMC) secured major multi-year offtake agreements with confectionery and beverage buyers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, covering cocoa liquor, butter, cake and powder—aimed at boosting local processing and jobs. Gulf Food Diplomacy: Türkiye used NATO Ankara summit dining to showcase “gastrodiplomacy,” with chefs and regional ingredients positioned as cultural diplomacy. Hospitality & Travel: Hyatt Regency Olympia opened at London Olympia, with noted Middle East visitor demand; Turkish Airlines was named Europe’s best for in-flight food & beverage in the 2026 APEX Best Awards. Dining Out & Safety: Restaurant inspections in the US flagged temperature-control and hygiene issues at eateries, including a case where ham and other items were discarded after “slimy” findings. Consumer Pressure: PepsiCo reported North America snack and beverage softness tied to economic concerns and higher gas prices, while also cutting prices on value brands. Food Culture: A Belfast review highlighted eastern Mediterranean mezze and dips as a summer go-to, while a Dubai hotel dining feature spotlighted Italian cuisine at Rialto. Food & Health Trends: Mint is being promoted for digestive and oral health benefits, alongside popular diet content pushing “fat-burning” foods and constipation-friendly fiber tips.