In Pictures: Gulfood Manufacturing show in Dubai serves up food for thought and more

In 2020, food truly became part of the UAE’s national agenda. Food security needs had been a priority in the past, but last year showed how central it is to any country’s longer term needs.

The way COVID-19 brought on supply chain challenges was a lesson for all nations heavily reliant on food imports. The results of those lessons are being felt and seen - more areas in the country are being brought under farming; new technologies are being deployed to make it possible to grow always-in-need commodities locally.

New agri-focussed startups are getting heavy backing, which would have been, say, unthinkable 10 years ago, given the country’s extreme weather patterns and much of the landscape being deserts.

But whether it is in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah, farm produce is trending, and so is any label in supermarket fruit and veggie counters that promises ‘farm to table’ produce.

Everyone involved in the local food industry value chain are doing their part to make sure the end results even exceed expectations. Local hypermarkets are giving an extra degree of attention to locally sourced fresh produce - and giving a chance for consumers to buy into the whole ‘Make in the UAE’ strategy.

This is where Gulfood Manufacturing, which opened to day (November 7) in Dubai, will continue to be a vital cog of the shift in food habits, choices and priorities. A good 1,250 exhibitors from 55 countries are represented at this key industry event, and where they will get a taste of what's changing and what's coming in the business of food.

Locally, much is changing - there is a new optimism sweeping through. The restaurant and other consumer-facing side of the industry is not only finding its feet after the COVID-19 break, but cooking up new ways to stoke growth.

Food delivery companies and their representatives are buzzing the roads and highways, building on the breakthroughs that the pandemic actually provides them. And as for cloud kitchens, the action is 'hotting' up not just in the actual cooking spaces but in deals creating new locations in the city.

Amidst all this, the consumer keeps shifting his and her preferences, and it is for the businesses and wider industry to keep pace with them. And as another piece of land in the UAE opens itself up to green possibilities, that's another box ticked on the food security side.