The Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2026 placed a strong spotlight on the economic potential of local agricultural products and the growing investment opportunities within the UAE’s food industry, as discussions on its second day centered on building value chains and strengthening national production capabilities.
Organized by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and private sector stakeholders to explore how agriculture can evolve into a key economic driver aligned with sustainability and food security goals.
Held under the theme of creating a comprehensive Emirati agricultural platform, the conference focused on integrating production, processing, investment, and innovation to build a resilient and competitive food ecosystem.
A major theme across discussions was the shift from raw agricultural output to value-added food industries. Experts highlighted the importance of processing local produce such as dates, vegetables, dairy, and meat into market-ready products, enabling higher margins, improved supply chains, and stronger global competitiveness.
Speakers also emphasized the role of private sector participation in building efficient value chains, positioning agriculture and food industries as attractive investment avenues. Officials noted that combining agricultural expertise with business acumen can significantly increase product value while reducing waste and improving efficiency.
In a keynote address, Sheikh Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi underlined the growing importance of the beekeeping and honey sector, describing it as a vital component of the food ecosystem with strong commercial potential. He highlighted rising global demand for natural honey and called for the development of a fully integrated national industry aligned with the UAE’s “Made in the UAE” initiative.
The conference also saw the announcement of new initiatives to support innovation. Zafer Rashed Al Qasimi, CEO of Silal Group, announced that applications are now open for the Agricultural Innovation Fund, which will provide farmers with financial and technical support to transform ideas into scalable projects.
Food innovation emerged as another key focus area, with discussions around alternative proteins, plant-based products, and sustainable food technologies. Experts stressed the need to balance regulatory support with private investment to drive innovation and diversify the UAE’s food production base.
Panelists also highlighted the role of modern agricultural technologies in improving productivity, optimizing water and energy use, and reducing environmental impact, reinforcing the sector’s alignment with sustainability goals.
Overall, the conference reinforced the UAE’s ambition to position agriculture and food industries as a strategic economic pillar, supported by investment, innovation, and integrated value chains.
By bridging production, processing, and market access, the event continues to strengthen the country’s efforts to build a sustainable, resilient, and globally competitive food system.
With inputs from WAM
