AGP Executive Report

Saudi Market: Sri Lanka’s first dedicated Ceylon Tea Pavilion at the Saudi Food Show brought six exporters to Jeddah. Sri Lankan tea exports to Saudi Arabia were worth about $67 million last year, while total exports rose 15% from 2024. Dubai Dining: Global Village’s 31st season opens October 14 with more than 250 dining options, including new Turkish and Syrian restaurants and cafés. Regional Expansion: Subway’s new EMEA “Blueprint” concept adds breakfast and coffee, grab-and-go and an evening menu; all new and renovated locations will adopt it from January 2027. Food Innovation: Abu Dhabi opened Global Food Week and the Global Food Security Summit, putting regional resilience and food supply in the spotlight. Middle East Food Business: Saudi dairy giant Almarai reported broad-based revenue growth in the third quarter, while Middle East delivery company NAMAA launched Future Foods and Picnic ventures.

Dubai Dining: Atrangi by Ritu Dalmia earned Michelin Selected status for a third consecutive year, as the guide’s fifth Dubai edition highlighted a dining scene that has nearly doubled in size since its debut. Food Security: Abu Dhabi opened Global Food Week alongside the Global Food Security Summit, bringing the international food industry together. Regional Trade: Sri Lankan tea exporters joined a dedicated pavilion in Jeddah to promote their products. Market Moves: TGI Fridays signed a development agreement with Meerab Hospitality to grow in Pakistan, while Deliveroo appointed Vasilis Hadjiaslanis as its Middle East general manager. Gulf Business: Saudi food producer Almarai reported broad-based revenue growth in the third quarter.

Food Security: Global Food Week opened in Abu Dhabi with the Global Food Security Summit, where leaders discussed investment, innovation and more resilient food systems. Saudi Market: Six Sri Lankan tea companies showcased Ceylon tea at the Saudi Food Show in Jeddah, seeking connections with buyers and distributors. Dubai Dining: The MICHELIN Guide’s fifth Dubai edition has nearly doubled its restaurant selection since launch. Regional Business: Deliveroo appointed Vasilis Hadjiaslanis as Middle East general manager, while TGI Fridays signed a development agreement with Pakistan’s Meerab Hospitality to expand in the country. Product Innovation: Cuisine Solutions has developed halal sous-vide egg bites for Middle Eastern customers. Oman Hospitality: InterContinental Muscat’s culinary team earned recognition at Horeca Oman 2026.

Middle East Food & Beverage: Dubai’s dining scene gets a boost as the MICHELIN Guide Dubai unveils its 5th edition: 122 restaurants across 38 cuisines, with Orfali Bros promoted to Two MICHELIN Stars and new One-Star and Bib Gourmand additions. QSR & Travel Retail: Deliveroo appoints Vasilis Hadjiaslanis as General Manager for the Middle East, aiming to scale the consumer–merchant–rider marketplace. Hospitality Growth: Zaxby’s opens its first Florida Turnpike outlet at Turkey Lake Service Plaza (Sept. 29) as part of a five-site deal with Areas USA, bringing chicken fingers and wings to high-traffic travel stops. Foodservice Innovation: Glen Industries reports H1 FY27 revenue growth and expands eco-friendly food packaging capacity, including new thermoforming and paper cup capabilities. Regional Food Events: Global Food Week and Global Food Security Summit open in Abu Dhabi under Mansour bin Zayed’s patronage, spotlighting food industry priorities and supply resilience.

Global Food Week 2026: Abu Dhabi’s ADNEC hosted the biggest edition yet (6–8 Oct), with 2,580 exhibitors from 92 countries under “Building Scalable Food Futures Together,” spotlighting food security, innovation and investment across the value chain. Hospitality & F&B Talent: Oman’s InterContinental Muscat returned strong from Horeca Oman 2026, winning 1 Gold and 8 Silver medals across live culinary categories. Heritage-led Hospitality: Kerten Hospitality’s Dar Tantora The House Hotel in AlUla Old Town earned a MICHELIN Key, highlighting culture-first guest experiences. Lebanese & Iranian Dining Moves: London’s Pardeh is set to open with Iranian-inspired cooking led by chef Yma Apa, while Mezze Street Kitchen is expanding into a permanent storefront with Lebanese/Middle Eastern offerings. Industry Growth Watch: New market reports project rapid expansion for organic food and beverages (to $381.9B by 2030) and continued growth in dehydrated foods and packaging materials. Food & Drink Business Tech: NAMAA launched Future Foods and Picnic ventures to reshape Middle East food delivery.

Gulf Food Supply Resilience: UAE-backed Future Food Forum 2026 put food-supply resilience on the agenda, spotlighting how the region can strengthen production and reduce shocks. Middle East Beverage Shifts: Oman’s imports of sweetened and flavoured drinks more than doubled in 2024, with Saudi-sourced shipments surging as boycott-driven sourcing changes ripple through local shelves. Gaza Humanitarian Strain: MSF says Israel’s “yellow line” creep is squeezing Gaza into smaller areas, worsening access to water, food and medical care—an indirect but major pressure on food systems and distribution. Food Tech & Heritage: India’s IGNCA urged balancing AI and digital growth with cultural foundations, using Araku Valley’s digital payments as an example of tech supporting local livelihoods. Market Watch: A fast-food industry forecast projects growth to $2.57T by 2031, driven by digital ordering and convenience—relevant for regional QSR operators planning expansion.

Global Food Week 2026: Abu Dhabi’s Global Food Week (Oct 6–8) returns at record scale, with 2,580 participants from 92 countries, and a first-ever mix of B2B and B2C formats to boost food security, trade and investment. Food Certification Expansion: Where Food Comes From, Inc. says Whole Foods Market has expanded approval of its RaiseWell® Certified program to cover chicken, turkey, pork and lamb, building on earlier beef enrollment. Hospitality & Dining in the Middle East: Saudi Arabia’s Dar Tantora The House Hotel in AlUla has earned a MICHELIN Key, highlighting heritage-led hospitality. New Openings (Food & Drink): Delhi’s LIZZU opens as a 42-seat all-day café and wine bar with in-house breads/pasta and fresh yuzu-led drinks, blending Mediterranean, Aegean, Turkish, Levant and Persian influences. Industry & Trade Events: interpack China 2026 (Nov 16–18) spotlights processing and packaging for food and beverage manufacturers, with 70,000+ sqm and 970+ exhibitors. Turkey Inflation Watch (Food Costs): Turkey’s annual consumer inflation eased to 29.73% in September; food and non-alcoholic beverage prices fell 0.20% month-on-month, while food rose 27.62% year-on-year.

MENA Tourism & Hospitality: Egypt’s Al Ismaelia becomes the first MENA firm to win the World Economic Forum’s Beyond Tourism Impact Stars (Infrastructure & Real Estate) for “Reviving Downtown Cairo,” spotlighting adaptive reuse and a push to bring visitors back for more than a quick stop. Qatar Sports + F&B Activation: Doha’s Lusail International Circuit will host PSG QNB WE RUN DOHA on 30 Oct 2026, with food and beverage areas and partner activations turning the venue into a community festival around the run. Saudi Food Industry: The Saudifood Show and Saudifood Manufacturing 2026 in Jeddah is set to bring the full F&B value chain together, underlining Saudi Arabia’s push for supply resilience and industry scale. Egypt Red Sea Travel: A new winter-sun focus on Marsa Alam highlights reef access and all-inclusive resort experiences tied to TUI flights, reinforcing demand for Red Sea leisure. Foodservice Openings: CAVA opens in South Bend (Eddy Street), adding Mediterranean build-your-own bowls and a fall menu. Brand/Travel Perks: Accor+ Explorer dining discounts update includes new 2026 blackout dates across Bahrain, Egypt, Oman and Qatar, with exclusions for certain brands. Food Prices Pressure: Japan reports broad food price hikes in October, with Middle East tensions cited as a driver via energy and logistics costs.

Cairo Food Week, fine dining: Michelin-starred Chef Francesco Brutto brought his “environmental cuisine” to Mazeej Balad for the fourth edition of Cairo Food Week, turning a rooftop takeover into a major social dining moment. Egypt Red Sea travel & resorts: TUI-backed winter-sun demand is boosting Marsa Alam, with Jaz Elite Amara pitching direct access to the Marsa Mubarak reef and all-inclusive resort facilities. Qatar hospitality perks: Accor+ Explorer’s dining benefits are getting updated for 2026, with new blackout dates and brand exclusions across several Middle East markets including Bahrain, Egypt, Oman and Qatar. Qatar tourism investment: ARTIC CEO Tarek M El Sayed El Sayed outlines a portfolio of 30 hotels and resorts plus residences and commercial space centered on Doha, spanning multiple global cities. Israel politics & food context: Former PM Ehud Barak accused Netanyahu of preparing for war that could delay elections, amid ongoing conflict coverage that continues to shape regional business and consumer sentiment. Israel local food scene: Pardes Hanna-Karkur is spotlighted for its growing restaurant variety, including kosher options and a New York-style bagel truck concept. Food retail & pricing: Processed food prices are rising in South Korea, with steep jumps for soups, gochujang and instant noodles—another reminder of cost pressure hitting everyday staples.

Delivery shake-up: Xoomi Go launched in Dubai with a 5% merchant commission cap and transparent delivery pricing, aiming to challenge Talabat/Noon/Deliveroo/Careem’s dominance. Hospitality & dining: Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa unveiled its Masters of Food & Wine series (Oct 2026–Apr 2027) bringing six MICHELIN-starred chefs to the island for seasonal, multi-course culinary chapters. Food scene spotlight: Pardes Hanna-Karkur in Israel is positioning itself as a growing food destination, with a mix of kosher and non-kosher spots and even a bagel truck importing New York-style bagels. F&B in the spotlight via travel: Hyatt announced its first Andaz in the Caribbean—Andaz Turks & Caicos at Grace Bay—opening in early 2027, while Beaches Turks & Caicos rolled out its Treasure Beach Village with expanded dining and villa-style stays. Local market pressure: In the US, Navistar’s Springfield, Ohio plant layoffs (nearly 1,400) hit just days before a Trump rally, underscoring how household budgets and grocery spending pressures can ripple into restaurant demand.

Hospitality & Dining: Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is launching a season-long Masters of Food & Wine series (Oct 2026–Apr 2027) featuring six internationally acclaimed MICHELIN-starred chefs, with each chapter tied to seasonal moments and local Maldivian ingredients. Luxury Travel & F&B Experience: Maxx Royal Maldives is set for autumn 2027, building a culinary offering around partnerships with chefs Wolfgang Puck and Dani García, as the brand expands beyond Türkiye. Food Tourism & Culture: Xinhua highlights Iraq’s wartime food legacy through the Chinese film “Once Upon a Time in the Middle East,” centering on “Xu Fu Rice Stew” as a symbol of hope for peace. F&B Business Moves: India’s Cremica Foods plans a US$72.82M IPO to fund international expansion, wider retail distribution and new product categories. Regional Hospitality Leadership: Preferred Hotels & Resorts expands its Legend Collection with 11 new properties in 2026, including a highly anticipated resort destination in the UAE, underscoring demand for destination-led luxury dining. Security & Travel Context: Ongoing election-era tensions in Israel and the Flydubai incident are again in the spotlight, with potential knock-on effects for travel sentiment across the region.

Kurdistan Soil Revival: Three unemployed agri graduates in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region have launched the first vermicompost plant in Sharazoor, using red earthworms to turn local waste into worm humus to fight salinity, hard soil and desertification. Iraq Dining Expansion: Smash-burger brand 80s is moving from Erbil to Baghdad, opening in Al-Yarmouk and betting on younger diners’ appetite for global-style burgers. Saudi Hospitality Growth: Mysk Al Wadi Jeddah Hotel opens in Jeddah with a restaurant and café, highlighting Red Sea tourism demand and construction resilience using crystalline waterproofing. GCC Tourism & Events: FHS World returns to Ras Al Khaimah in 2027 at Wynn Al Marjan Island, aiming to draw investors and hotel operators for destination and restaurant investment talks. Middle East Food Business Spotlight: Gordon Ramsay Restaurants Global reports record sales and continued Middle East/Asia expansion, including further openings across the region. UAE Lifestyle & Dining Season: As UAE evenings cool, outdoor cafés and desert BBQ plans return, boosting demand for casual food and drink experiences.

MENA Food Trade & Events: Abu Dhabi’s Global Food Week returns Oct 6-8 at ADNEC with a record 2,580 exhibitors from 92 countries, plus the Global Food Security Summit focused on moving food systems from resilience to readiness. Industry & Market Signals: A new forecast puts the global bakery products market on track to hit $322.3bn by 2030, driven by convenience, packaged goods and retail bakery growth. Coffee Culture: International Coffee Day (Oct 1) spotlights coffee’s origins and how the beverage spread globally, with regional interest in new café lineups and tasting experiences. Regional Hospitality: Travelmarvel unveiled its 2028/29 Egypt, Jordan and Morocco programme, including a Nile cruise on the Travelmarvel Sirius and new Alexandria extensions. Food & Beverage Business Moves: Layali Feast, a halal Middle Eastern concept, has expanded from a ghost-kitchen model into a sit-down presence inside a Bloomington coffee shop.

Healthy Menus Mandate (UAE): Abu Dhabi now requires hotels and restaurants in tourist areas to include at least one “healthy” item per menu category, with children’s menus needing at least half healthy options, using the SEHHI criteria and a grace period that began July 1. Tourism & Heritage (Egypt): Al Ismaelia was named a World Economic Forum Beyond Tourism Impact Star for restoring Downtown Cairo’s historic buildings through adaptive reuse. Airport F&B Experience (UAE/Global): Plaza Premium Group finished a five-month refurbishment of four Taiwan Taoyuan lounges, adding Taiwanese-inspired dining and private rest spaces—another sign airports are competing on hospitality. Market Watch (Global): pladis reported a small revenue rise but profit pressure amid tough trading conditions, while highlighting chocolate brand milestones. Industry Events (GCC): SaudiFood and SaudiFood Manufacturing 2026 kick off in Jeddah, drawing regional and international food-industry players. Food Prices (Middle East angle): Iran’s war-and-sanctions squeeze continues to push up household costs, with reports of prices jumping sharply.

Dubai Tourism & Hospitality: Dubai logged 869,000 international overnight visitors in August 2026, its strongest month since February, with hotel occupancy jumping to 66% and total arrivals reaching 6.97m in the first eight months—driven by a diversified, agile source-market strategy. Cruise Niche-Making for the Middle East: Norwegian Cruise Line is ramping up Middle East-focused sailings at Arabian Travel Market, spotlighting Great Stirrup Cay upgrades and pushing travel-advisor training for higher-value bookings. Sustainability Credentials in Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Chamber awarded 35 firms its Sustainability Label at LIVEX 2026, including food and beverage, agriculture, hospitality and tech—signaling sustainability as a competitiveness lever. Food & Beverage Regulation Watch (US): ICUS filed landmark FDA petitions to expand contrast-enhanced ultrasound uses and remove outdated “black box” warnings for agents like Definity, Lumason and Optison. Iran Cost Pressure: Reports say Iranian prices have surged amid war and sanctions, squeezing households and even basic necessities. Turkey Tourism Crackdown: Antalya authorities detained hotel and tourism-linked figures in a drug-trafficking and alleged prostitution ring investigation.

UAE Food & Dining Expansion: Shvili has opened its first licensed UAE venue in DIFC, bringing Georgian shareable dishes like khachapuri and handmade khinkali to a hospitality group with 33 locations across five countries. Middle East Hospitality Growth: Radisson Hotel Group says it’s built strong momentum across the Middle East and Northeast Africa, with new signings, openings and conversions spanning hotels, resorts and serviced apartments. Saudi Food Industry Push: SaudiFood Show and Saudifood Manufacturing 2026 are set to convene in Jeddah to accelerate food production and supply. Food Safety Watch: Thailand authorities reopened a kosher restaurant in Krabi after a nominee-owner dispute, but a fresh inspection flagged products without required approvals and customs steps, with menus reportedly written only in Hebrew. Consumer Price Pressure: Japan expects price hikes on 3,153 food and beverage items in October, citing higher packaging costs and Middle East-linked crude and naphtha prices. Food Hygiene Incident: A Mumbai customer alleges finding a dead rat in a Mysore masala dosa at Borivali’s Radhakrishna Hotel, prompting a police complaint and renewed FDA scrutiny.