AGP Executive Report

Saudi Food Industry Push: Jeddah’s Saudifood Show and Saudifood Manufacturing 2026 opened at the Jeddah Superdome, uniting 1,000+ exhibitors from 95+ countries to boost food security, local manufacturing and supply-chain investment under Vision 2030. Egypt Exports Surge: Egypt’s food exports hit a record $5.128bn in Jan–Aug 2026, up 10.8%, with growth spread across 110 markets and 2,731 exporters. Hospitality & F&B Talent Pipeline: Jammu and Kashmir launched a pilot overseas recruitment drive for skilled youth into Saudi Arabia’s F&B, QSR and hospitality roles, using authorised agencies under Mission SKILL. Coffee Culture Spotlight: A feature on Riyadh’s late-night café scene shows how coffee spaces are reshaping Saudi social life and identity. Foodservice Innovation: Jeddah’s Ember Dining leans on wood-fired cooking across European, Asian and Mediterranean flavors. Industry Watch: Bank of Korea flagged spreading price-hike moves across consumer categories, including franchise coffee and dining out, as inflation risks build. Quality Signals: Leeds inspectors reported multiple local eateries scoring 3+ in September food hygiene checks.

Saudifood Pushes Regional F&B Growth: Saudi Arabia’s Saudifood Show and Saudifood Manufacturing 2026 open in Jeddah (Sept 27-29) at the Jeddah Superdome, bringing 1,000+ exhibitors from 95+ countries and 100,000+ products across sourcing, processing, packaging, automation and logistics, with MODON as strategic partner. Hotel & Tourism Talent Spotlight (ME): Dusit’s Prateek Kumar, Areen Hospitality’s Essa Faqeeh, Hyatt’s Stephen Ansell, and Bahrain Tourism chief Sara Ahmed Buhiji are profiled for how they’re turning hospitality pipelines into day-to-day service, pre-opening discipline, and destination delivery. Coffee Price Pressure: The Bank of Korea warns of “domino” price hikes spreading through franchise coffee and dining, with volatility in oil and FX adding to inflation risk. Zero Waste Momentum in Türkiye: Türkiye’s Zero Waste Movement marks its 9th year ahead of COP31, citing growth to 220,000 buildings and a recycling-rate rise to 37.53% (2025). Food Culture on the Move: Cairo’s street breakfast scene spotlights taamiya (Egyptian fava patties) and Lucknow’s evolving “tehzeeb + Gen Z” food map now includes sushi, tacos and matcha alongside classics.

Israeli chefs in the US: Despite boycott calls tied to the Gaza war, Israeli restaurants are still drawing diners, with several openly marketing Israeli brands and chefs—highlighting how Michelin recognition (including a kosher chef’s Michelin star) is helping keep attention on food over politics. Gulf food trade & fairs: Jordanian food firms are set to join Saudi Food Expo and Saudi Industrial Expo 2026 in Jeddah, signaling continued regional demand for sweets, dairy, grains, packaging and ingredients. Abu Dhabi hospitality localization: New Emirati Dhiyafa Standards will require hotels to embed Emirati culture across the guest journey, including food knowledge and local flavors, with full rollout targeted for 2027. Saudi beverage expansion: Kinza says it’s not chasing giants but building partnerships and supply-chain muscle as it exports to 70+ countries and targets Southeast Asia via Malaysia and Indonesia. Palestinian hunger strike in Belgium: Two hunger strikers are hospitalized in Brussels as activists press for evacuation of Gaza families—an issue that’s also affecting food access and daily life narratives.

Middle East Beverage Expansion: Saudi brand Kinza says it’s not trying to outmuscle big beverage giants, but to read shifting consumer tastes as it expands across Southeast Asia, already exporting to 70+ countries and seeking local investment partners for manufacturing, supply chain and distribution. Regional Trade & Food Industry: 36 Jordanian food-industry firms will join the Saudi Food Expo and Saudi Industrial Expo 2026 in Jeddah, covering sweets, chocolate, bakery, dairy, grains, nuts, soft drinks, plus ingredients, packaging and food machinery—aimed at strengthening Jordan’s key export ties with Saudi Arabia. Hospitality Standards in Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi is rolling out Emirati Hospitality Standards, setting expectations for how hotels deliver “authentic Emirati hospitality,” a move likely to reshape guest experience and service practices. UAE Food Sector Growth: The UAE Food Cluster convenes a Future Food Forum 2026, banking on AED 40bn sector growth and pushing collaboration across the food ecosystem. Food Innovation & Ingredients: A Turkish study reports a Mediterranean herb extract (Micromeria fruticosa) added to beef patties improved cooking yield, pointing to more natural processing aids as consumers scrutinize additives. Food Safety & Operations: A Birmingham restaurant couple was fined after council officers found widespread mouse droppings and a dead mouse, highlighting ongoing enforcement pressure on hygiene controls.

UAE Hospitality Standards: Abu Dhabi rolls out mandatory Emirati Dhiyafa (Hospitality) Standards for hotels, requiring pre-arrival messaging plus Emirati coffee, dates and heritage dishes like harees and balaleet to make stays more culturally “authentic.” Food Manufacturing Push: Gulfood Manufacturing 2026 returns to Dubai (Nov 3-5) under “Powering Food Security Through Manufacturing Innovation,” spotlighting ingredients, processing, packaging, traceability, cold chain and automation as the UAE targets bigger local output and import substitution. ME Flavor Trends: Kerry Group’s 2026 Global Taste Charts flag Middle East momentum in “newstalgia” (modern takes on date, za’atar, cardamom, saffron), layered spice profiles, and fruit-forward hydration. Research for Meat Processing: A Turkish study finds Mediterranean herb extract (Micromeria fruticosa) mixed into beef patties can improve cooking yield, pointing to natural ingredient options for processed meats. Food Safety & Compliance: A Kenya court rejects Wow Beverages’ bid to block Namaqua Wines’ termination, while a UK case fines a restaurant couple over mouse infestation—both underscoring how contracts and hygiene can make or break food businesses.

Trade & Supply Chains: The UK food and drink trade gap has widened sharply, with exports down 11.7% in H1 2026 to 4bn kg while imports hit 19.1bn kg (near-record), pushing the deficit above £21bn since 2000; FDF flags Brexit friction and geopolitical disruption, including Middle East-linked drops such as UAE exports down almost a quarter amid the US-Israel war on Iran. Beverage Innovation: Carbonated soft drinks are seeing a push toward reduced sugar, “clean label” positioning and functional benefits, with brands targeting Gen Z via flavour variety, premium launches and low-risk partnerships—Innova notes the Middle East as a promising growth region where big players face less dominance. Hospitality & Culture: Abu Dhabi hotels will be required from Q1 2027 to feature Emirati cultural touchpoints—at least three Emirati dishes on menus and staff in Emirati attire—aimed at strengthening local heritage for visitors. Local Food Scene: Istanbul’s Türkiye Culture Route Festival runs Sept 26–Oct 4, adding concerts and exhibitions plus “gastronomic events” across the city. Legal/Business Risk: Kenya’s High Court rejected Wow Beverages’ bid to block Namaqua Wines from ending a distribution relationship, saying no exclusive arrangement was formalised in writing.

Middle East Food & Beverage: UK food and drink exports are sliding while imports surge, pushing the sector’s trade deficit to a record £21bn, with disruption to Middle East deliveries flagged as a key factor (including UAE shipments down sharply amid the US–Israel–Iran conflict). Hospitality & Dining: A new family-run Middle Eastern venue, Zanobia, has opened in Sydney’s CBD, leaning into shared mezze, charcoal-grilled meats and classic Syrian- and Levant-inspired dishes. Culture & Tourism: Qatar Museums chair Sheikha Al Mayassa wrapped a tour of Argentina, Chile and Brazil aimed at strengthening cultural partnerships—an indirect boost for regional tourism and gastronomy tie-ins. Food & Health: Research highlights how high-fat diets may help colorectal cancer metastasize via a YAP1-linked pathway, pointing to potential drug targets that could affect future nutrition and prevention strategies.

Middle East Conflict Impact: Israeli airstrikes and artillery hit southern Lebanon overnight into Thursday, with Lebanese media reporting attacks from Tyre to Nabatieh and Khiam; the Health Ministry toll since Mar. 2 stands at 4,386 killed and 12,407 wounded. Aviation Sanctions Warning: Iran’s Supreme National Security Council warned regional states that if they cooperate with US efforts to stop Iranian flights, their own airports could be “paralyzed,” as US sanctions pressure the aviation sector. Food & Hospitality Business: Abu Dhabi-listed MAIR Group agreed to buy a 70% stake in Eslab, owner of Turkish-origin specialty coffee chain Espressolab (Espressolab), expanding MAIR’s F&B footprint beyond the UAE. Dubai Dining Reopenings: Several Dubai restaurants are returning for the new season, including Buddha-Bar with a new Red Tsuki theme and Shimmers reopening at Jumeirah Mina Al Salam. Trade Verification for F&B Supply Chains: Dubai-based Find In Food expanded verified company profiles for food, beverage and agriculture equipment makers ahead of CIAME and EIMA, aiming to help overseas buyers validate suppliers before deals. Kuwait Entertainment Ban: “Avengers: Endgame Encore” was banned in Kuwait, with cinema chains cancelling shows and issuing refunds.

Middle East Hospitality & Dining: Hilton Bahrain is rolling out Saudi National Day dining and family activities across Origin Kitchen and Culture and CLAW BBQ, including a Saudi-inspired breakfast and seafood night, plus unlimited beverage offers. Restaurant Expansion: TGI Fridays signed a development deal with Meerab Hospitality to grow across Pakistan and strengthen its South Asia/Middle East push. Food Innovation & Production: Turkmenistan launched freeze-dried camel milk under the Medat brand, using year-round camel grazing and freeze-drying to preserve nutrients. Halal Trade: Brazil is positioning Malaysia as a logistics gateway to the wider Asian halal market, aiming to showcase higher value-added food and beverage at MIHAS 2026. Health & Food Safety (GCC): Saudi doctors reported a case where a swallowed coin in a 6-year-old was expelled after olive oil and water, avoiding endoscopy. Aviation & Foodservice: Edinburgh Airport unveiled a £500m expansion that will expand retail and food & beverage areas, while Cathay’s new Hong Kong lounge raises the bar for premium airport dining.

UAE Food Retail & Community: Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre in Sharjah says E88 Market is back for its 2026 fourth edition, running 17–31 Dec with daily family-friendly hours and a focus on local entrepreneurs, home-based businesses and artisans. Sustainable Packaging Watch: A new report projects the starch-based degradable bioplastics market to rise from $14.87bn (2025) to $17.12bn (2026), driven by plastic pollution concerns and packaging demand. Hospitality Jobs & F&B Ops: Moxy Bengaluru Airport Prestige Tech Cloud appoints Jegan Babu as food & beverage manager, tasking him with menu planning, quality standards and food safety. Halal Trade Infrastructure: OneAgrix names Shahid N. Khan managing director for Middle East and South Asia, aiming to help verify halal and faith-based certification and ingredient compliance before shipments. Food Culture in Film: Celebrity chef Ranveer Brar says “food fiction” is the next big screen trend, with a UK production where he plays a biryani chef traveling via India to Saudi Arabia and then England. Tourism & Airport Retail: daa reports strong first-half 2026 performance, citing passenger growth and upgrades including food & beverage offerings at Dublin and Cork.

UAE Hospitality & Dining: IHG is set to launch its Noted Collection brand in Jordan, while Dubai continues to court GCC travelers with new hotel openings and staycation offers, including coffee-led concepts in Amman. Saudi Food & Retail: Emirates marks Oktoberfest with Bavarian specialties, and Oreo pushes a UAE limited-edition Pistash-YO. Middle East Food Culture: A guide to where to eat in Israel for Succot highlights major dairy and meat options, from Tel Aviv terraces to Jerusalem’s large-scale holiday setups. Iraq Food Safety: Najaf’s meat scandal is shaking consumer trust, raising fresh questions on enforcement and controls. Regional Business & Trade: USGBC explores U.S. feed grain opportunities in Nigeria, aiming to boost demand for corn co-products in poultry and aquaculture. Food Industry Growth (Global, with F&B links): Market reports point to continued expansion in high-pressure pumping tech used in industrial processing, plus growth in premium liposomal ingredients and RTD cascara drinks.

UAE Food Supply Watch: UAE restaurants and bakeries using ube are preparing for possible sourcing gaps if stocks run out, as the Filipino purple yam rides a new wave of global hype. Health & Food Safety: A major UK study links drinking very hot beverages to a roughly threefold higher risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, with experts urging context since the condition is still rare. UAE Snacking Launch: Mondelēz’s OREO launches limited-edition OREO Pistash-YO in the UAE, pairing chocolate biscuits with pistachio cream and backing it with a Burj Khalifa projection. Hospitality & Coffee Culture: IHG’s Noted Collection signs a coffee-themed premium hotel in Amman, building an on-site coffee reserve and experience center around local craft and rituals. Luxury Food Business: Top Wealth Group Holding relocates its HQ from Hong Kong to Lille, signaling a push to expand its fine wine and caviar distribution toward Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. Saudi Sports Meets Hospitality: Saudi Arabia hosts the Arabian Gulf Cup amid regional conflict, with food and fan experience expectations rising as the tournament kicks off.

UAE Tourism Push: Malaysia is boosting air connectivity and GCC tourism ties, signing MoUs with Emirates and Qatar Airways during a Dubai visit aimed at lifting Middle East arrivals. UAE Hospitality Expansion: Meliá Hotels International will bring its Gran Meliá brand to Dubai with the J1 Hotel opening in Q4 2027, adding multiple dining concepts including Pan-Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-led venues. UAE Food & Culture: A Dubai travel feature highlights how heritage spots and new creative spaces are shaping the city’s food scene, from Emirati breakfast culture to chocolate-making experiences. UAE Dining Trend: A “Sunlit Marina Majlis” style Pan-Middle Eastern restaurant concept is part of the upcoming J1 Hotel dining lineup, signaling more regional flavors in luxury hospitality. Regional Real Estate Demand: Ras Al Khaimah’s property market stayed attractive in H1 2026, with apartment prices up ~18% and continued investment in residential and tourism projects. Food Industry Watch: A U.S. restaurant supply merger fight heats up as Sysco seeks to buy Restaurant Depot, raising concerns for independent eateries.

Agri-food Support: Spain’s economy and agriculture ministers (Carlos Cuerpo and Luis Planas) told food and beverage groups that government aid for the agri-food sector will keep going beyond Sept. 30, citing the ongoing impact of the war in Iran. Food Safety Crackdown (Iraq): Al-Anbar health authorities shut four unsafe food businesses in Ramadi and destroyed about 30kg of unfit meat after inspections found hygiene failures at butcher shops, a restaurant, and a bakery. Local Trust Under Pressure (Iraq): The wider Najaf meat scandal continues to shake consumer confidence, with authorities citing spoiled meat cases and court action over alleged illegal meat sales. Beverage Expansion (Middle East): Walovi scales up its plant-based beverage push, setting up a Singapore global hub and launching an energy electrolyte drink, as functional drinks gain momentum across Asia. Hospitality & Dining (UAE/GCC): Emaar Hospitality Group highlights its growing portfolio at ATM 2026, including Vida Aljada in Sharjah and new dining/leisure plans tied to upcoming openings. Healthcare Brand Tie-In (Saudi): King Faisal Specialist Hospital earns major recognition in Newsweek’s World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2027, including gastroenterology and other specialties.

Food Safety Shock in Iraq: Najaf’s “wild-boar meat sold as livestock” case has shaken consumer trust, with some Baghdad residents cutting back on red and minced meat and switching to chicken after authorities found pork unfit for consumption. Tourism & Hospitality Pulse in Jordan: Aqaba’s hotel occupancy hit about 93% as festival-driven tourism boosts demand across hotels, markets and transport, with concerts cited as the fastest catalyst. Middle East Cuisine Abroad: Iraqi masgouf is winning new fans in Dubai’s dining scene, with chefs preserving the slow-ember method and family know-how. Restaurant Sector Moves: Turkmenistan’s food enterprises showcased new canned and dessert products in Ashgabat, while Iraq’s food scandal and consumer shifts underline how quickly reputations can change. Holiday Closures in Israel: Israel largely shut down for Yom Kippur, suspending flights and public transport and closing most businesses and restaurants.

Kosher Certification Fight in Israel: ITIM has demanded the Israeli Chief Rabbinate guarantee equal conditions for women in upcoming certification exams, after April’s first women’s sitting, warning it may return to court over venue separation, timing, anonymous grading, staffing, and accommodations for pregnant/nursing candidates. Dubai Culinary Culture: Iraqi masgouf—slow-grilled beside embers—has become a Dubai staple, with families bringing the technique from Iraq to the UAE and turning it into a recognized local experience. UAE Hospitality Launch: Nammos Resort AMAALA welcomed its first guests at Triple Bay on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, adding 110 rooms plus multiple dining and wellness facilities. Saudi Food Tourism Push: Mandarin Oriental Muscat is running a September dining-and-wellness program themed around Mediterranean flavours and restorative rituals. Halal Dining Expansion: A Malaysian-backed nasi kandar spot in Vietnam’s Phu Quoc is catering to Muslim tourists with halal-certified supply and regular compliance checks. Industry Tech for Food Service: ANGEL won a Sustainable Tech – Food & Beverage award for its KFC Indonesia water purification deployment, highlighting localized filtration and UV treatment.