AGP Executive Report

UAE Hospitality: Forbes Travel Guide-endorsed Le Must has launched in the UAE with plastic-free single-serve condiments for hotels, restaurants and other hospitality businesses. Jordan’s Food Sector: A new 2027–29 strategy counts 2,600 food-industry establishments and 66,500 direct jobs. The sector meets more than 62% of local demand, while exports reached JD823 million in 2024. Dubai Dining: A new commentary questions Michelin’s Dubai awards and the guide’s relationship with government ties. Bahrain’s Culinary Profile: A proposal to host an Arabian edition of Hell’s Kitchen aims to showcase local talent, ingredients and hospitality. Restaurant Finance: Foodics is investing in Funding Souq to broaden financing for restaurants. Egyptian Seafood: The EU has approved Egyptian fish products for export to its 27 member states.

Bahrain’s Food-TV Bid: A proposal to bring an Arabian edition of Hell’s Kitchen to Bahrain aims to draw visitors and investment while showcasing local chefs and ingredients. Rising Costs: Islamabad traders report kitchen essentials up 30–50% since March, citing higher fuel, transport and utility costs; a recent dip in farm-level produce prices has yet to reach shoppers. Industry Events: GulfHost 2026 will spotlight technology and equipment for MENA’s growing foodservice sector, while HORECA Lebanon returns for its 30th edition in November. Restaurant Finance: Foodics has invested in Funding Souq to expand financing for restaurants. Export Access: The EU has approved Egyptian fish products for export to its 27 member states. UAE Expansion: London-based Indian restaurant group Kricket is set to make its Dubai debut.

Foodservice Growth: GulfHost returns to Dubai on Nov. 3–5, focusing on automation, AI and energy-efficient equipment as MENA’s foodservice market expands. The report forecasts annual growth of 8.4% through 2032. Restaurant Finance: Foodics has invested in Funding Souq to expand financing for restaurants, while FAMA Technologies is targeting growth in Egypt and across Africa. Turkish Cuisine: Chef Somer Sivrioğlu has replaced his award-winning Efendy with Baharat, an ocakbaşı grill focused on traditional kebab craft. Mardin’s Culture Route Festival, running Oct. 17–25, also puts local cuisine alongside arts and heritage events. Trade: The EU has approved Egyptian fish products for export to its 27 member states, opening access to a major market. Dubai Dining: London Indian restaurant group Kricket is preparing its UAE debut, and IchiRyu Ramen House has opened its fourth Dubai branch.

UAE Hospitality: Hotels are shifting from expansion-led recruitment to selective hiring, with more emphasis on multi-skilled staff and digital proficiency. Occupancy remains above 80% as room supply grows. Egyptian Seafood Exports: The EU has approved Egyptian fish products for export to all 27 member states, opening access to a major market. Restaurant Financing: Foodics has invested in Funding Souq to expand financing for restaurants in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Lebanon’s Foodservice Sector: HORECA Lebanon returns in November for its 30th edition, bringing the industry together. Oman Beverage Production: Salalah Free Zone signed a RO3.85 million deal for a beverage factory.

UAE Expansion: NOHM Hospitality has acquired a controlling stake in Cannes restaurant and nightlife brand Baoli, building on its Dubai franchise and targeting international growth. Restaurant Finance: Foodics has invested in Funding Souq to expand financing for restaurants in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Egyptian Seafood Trade: EU approval clears Egyptian fish products for export to all 27 member states. Supply Risks: A new index rates Gulf states critically exposed to protein supply disruptions, citing limited land and water for farming; the Strait of Hormuz’s closure has highlighted vulnerabilities in trade routes and imported inputs. Industry Platforms: HORECA Lebanon’s 30th edition runs Nov. 10–13, with more than 400 exhibitors expected, while Hospitality Qatar 2026 has opened with 120 exhibitors. Oman Manufacturing: Salalah Free Zone has secured a $10 million investment for a beverage factory.

Restaurant Finance: Foodics has invested in Saudi fintech Funding Souq, bringing Shariah-compliant loans and invoice and supplier financing to restaurant and hospitality merchants in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Foodics plans to deploy $100 million through its own restaurant financing product in its first year. Saudi Costs: Food prices rose 5.4% year on year in Saudi Arabia in August, while beverage production prices fell 0.7%, highlighting mixed cost pressures for food and drink businesses. Investment: Oman’s Salalah Free Zone secured a $10 million deal for a beverage factory, while UAE coffee technology company COFE Tech attracted investment from a firm led by PVP Innovation Fund. Industry Events: Hospitality Qatar 2026 opened with 120 exhibitors, and Gulfood Manufacturing is set to spotlight food security and manufacturing innovation.

Food Manufacturing: An Israeli food producer is assessing humanoid and other robots for repetitive production-line work. The project remains exploratory, with no purchase or deployment agreed. Egyptian Cuisine: Nile Seray, an A&K Sanctuary riverboat launching in November, will serve Egyptian and regional dishes made with Nile Valley produce, alongside live cooking and street-food evenings. Saudi Dining: Chedi Hegra has opened Nasim, a Levantine restaurant in a restored historic fort in AlUla, with locally sourced ingredients and desert-view dining. Qatar Hospitality: Five Iron Golf plans to open its first Doha venue in early 2027, combining golf simulators with a sports bar, food service and event space. Oman Investment: Salalah Free Zone has secured a $10 million investment for a beverage factory, adding to the region’s manufacturing capacity.

Coffee Business: Talabat and KIB Business Center brought Kuwaiti specialty-coffee operators together to explore consumer data and growth strategies through talabat grow. Restaurant Finance: Foodics invested in Funding Souq to expand financing options for restaurant businesses in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Beverage Manufacturing: Salalah Free Zone signed a RO3.85 million deal for a beverage factory, adding to Oman’s food-production capacity. Regional Trade: Global Food Week in Abu Dhabi concluded with $1.88 billion in deals, while El Salvador used the event to promote specialty coffee, cacao and other exports to Middle Eastern buyers. Packaging: Saudi Arabia imposed anti-dumping duties on Chinese aluminum can lids, a move with potential implications for regional beverage packaging costs.

UAE Dining: Dubai’s IchiRyu Ramen House has opened its fourth branch in Jumeirah Village Circle, extending the UAE-born brand’s growth. Global Village’s new season has also opened, with more than 250 dining options and new restaurants serving Turkish, Syrian and Egyptian food. Restaurant Finance: Foodics has invested in Funding Souq to expand financing for restaurants in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Manufacturing: A beverage factory investment worth about $10 million is planned for Salalah Free Zone. Abu Dhabi’s Global Food Week closed with $1.88 billion in deals, while Al Ghurair plans to supply locally produced dextrose to the emirate’s protein-fermentation sector. New Markets: Kazakhstan’s new pasteurized camel-milk standard takes effect Nov. 1, supporting producers’ ambitions to reach stores in China and the Middle East. Ingredients: Givaudan reported 1.5% like-for-like sales growth in its Taste & Wellbeing division for the first nine months of 2026, with growth accelerating to 3.5% in the third quarter.

Packaging Trade: Saudi Arabia has imposed five-year anti-dumping duties of 15.8% to 38.7% on Chinese aluminum easy-open beverage-can lids, aiming to protect local producers. Restaurant Finance: Foodics has invested in Funding Souq to expand financing for restaurants in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Egypt Market: Core inflation eased to 14.1%, but rising food prices continue to pressure consumers. Beverage Investment: Salalah Free Zone has secured a $10 million investment for a beverage factory in Oman. Food Industry Deals: Global Food Week in Abu Dhabi closed with $1.88 billion in deals, while Gulfood Manufacturing is set to spotlight food security and manufacturing innovation. Protein Ingredients: Al Ghurair will supply locally produced dextrose to Abu Dhabi’s protein-fermentation ecosystem.

Restaurant Finance: Foodics has made Saudi SME lender Funding Souq its largest investor, paving the way for embedded financing for restaurants in Saudi Arabia and the UAE; the investment amount was not disclosed. Food Prices: Egypt’s annual core inflation eased to 14.1% in September, but rising vegetable prices pushed monthly urban inflation up to 1.3%, keeping pressure on household budgets. Qatar Hospitality: Hospitality Qatar 2026 opened in Doha with 120 exhibitors, including 90 local businesses, showcasing food, beverage and hospitality products and services. Oman Investment: Salalah Free Zone secured a $10 million investment for a beverage factory. Food Manufacturing: Abu Dhabi’s Global Food Week concluded with $1.88 billion in deals, while Gulfood Manufacturing is set to put food security and manufacturing innovation in the spotlight.

Beverage Investment: Oman’s Salalah Free Zone signed a $10 million deal with Saudi-backed Advanced Packaging for a plant producing carbonated drinks, juices and energy drinks, with production expected to start in six months. Qatar Hospitality: Hospitality Qatar 2026 opened in Doha with 120 exhibitors showcasing food and beverage products, restaurant equipment and hospitality technology. Dubai Dining: The 2026 MICHELIN Guide added new One-Star restaurants and promoted Orfali Bros to Two Stars. Food Trade: Abu Dhabi’s Global Food Week closed with $1.88 billion in deals, while ISM Middle East opened in Dubai, connecting sweets and snacks brands with a regional market valued at $400 billion. Market Pressures: Egypt’s annual inflation reached 12.8% in September as food prices rose. Expansion Plans: Saudi food producer Almarai has earmarked $4 billion for expansion through 2031.

Food Manufacturing: Sidel will showcase packaging, aseptic production and automation technologies at Gulfood Manufacturing in Dubai on Nov. 3–5. Regional Flavours: Azerbaijan presented traditional dishes and live cooking at Adana’s International Taste Festival, while a Jeddah business event promoted Greek processed peaches to buyers across the region. Food Prices: Egypt’s annual inflation reached 12.8% in September as food prices rose. Industry Investment: Abu Dhabi’s Global Food Week closed with $1.88 billion in deals, and Saudi dairy producer Almarai has earmarked $4 billion for expansion through 2031. Retail: LuLu Hypermarket is bringing Spanish food and flavours to Qatar with its Festival of Spain. Founders: Sharjah’s Sheraa selected 14 women entrepreneurs for a leadership programme, including founders in food and beverage and consumer goods.

Egypt Food Prices: Annual inflation edged up to 12.8% in September as food and beverage prices rose 3.2% month on month. Vegetables jumped 15.1%, adding pressure on households. Abu Dhabi Deals: Global Food Week concluded with $1.88 billion in deals, underscoring the region’s growing food-sector investment activity. Qatar Flavours: LuLu Hypermarket brought Spanish products and cuisine to Qatar with its Festival of Spain. Saudi Tea Trade: Ceylon Tea took the spotlight at Saudi Food Show 2026 with its first dedicated pavilion. Dubai Dining: The Michelin Guide Dubai 2026 unveiled its latest restaurant selection, reflecting the city’s evolving culinary scene.

Industry Deals: Global Food Week in Abu Dhabi closed with $1.88 billion in deals, underscoring the emirate’s push to attract food-sector investment. Airline Dining: Qatar Airways is adding chef Ross Lusted’s dishes and signature cocktails to premium cabins on flights departing Australia, with the menu due from February to July 2027. Retail Promotions: LuLu Hypermarket is bringing Spanish flavours to Qatar with its Festival of Spain 2026. Trade Shows: Ceylon Tea took centre stage at Saudi Food Show 2026 with its first dedicated pavilion. Dubai Dining: The Michelin Guide’s 2026 Dubai edition offers a fresh look at the city’s restaurant scene, while an LPM beach concept is set to open in November.

GCC Supply: Gulf Cryo plans to nearly double liquid CO₂ capacity to 1,300 tonnes a day by year-end, strengthening supplies for food and beverage producers across the region. Qatar Retail: LuLu Hypermarket’s weeklong Festival of Spain is showcasing Spanish food and products across its Qatar stores through October 14. Egypt Food Prices: Food and beverage prices rose 3.2% in September, led by a 15.1% jump in vegetables, adding pressure to household budgets. Abu Dhabi Deals: Global Food Week closed with $1.88 billion in deals, highlighting the region’s growing role in food trade. Dubai Trade: ISM Middle East has opened, bringing sweets and snacks brands to Dubai to access a reported $400 billion APMEA market. Regional Expansion: Saudi dairy giant Almarai has earmarked $4 billion for expansion through 2031. Food Trade: Sri Lankan tea exporters are joining a dedicated pavilion in Jeddah to promote their products.