Gulfood Dubai 2025 delivered exactly what the Middle East market is known for: speed, clarity, and sharp commercial expectations.
Events like this shaped much of my strategic understanding of regional buyers and their decision criteria.
During the exhibition, my focus was on three priorities:
1. Buyer Alignment
Meeting importers, retailers, and distributors from the UAE, KSA, Kuwait, and Qatar highlighted a consistent set of KPIs:
• reliability of supply
• certifications and traceability
• competitive landed cost
• readiness for rapid activation in-store
2. Benchmarking the Market
A full walk-through of the fair helped map price points, packaging formats, and category speed.
Frozen poultry, dairy, and fresh produce continue to dominate shelf rotation, while retailers push heavily toward:
• clean labels
• ready-to-cook convenience
• value ranges with strong quality consistency
3. Retail Field Research
Outside the exhibition halls, I visited key UAE supermarkets to analyze how Greek products are positioned on the shelf.
This included SKU availability, price comparison vs. competitors, shelf placement, and promotional visibility.
Field observation remains one of the most reliable tools for understanding what actually converts at point-of-sale.
Overall Takeaway
Gulfood 2025 confirmed once more that the Middle East rewards suppliers who combine authenticity with operational discipline.
These insights became foundational in the years before MediTaste was created, helping shape a more strategic, impact-driven approach to exports.
