Argentina once again played a prominent role at Gulfood 2026, the most important food and beverage exhibition in the Arab world, held from 26 to 30 January in Dubai. Through the participation of the Institute for the Promotion of Argentine Beef (IPCVA) and a group of leading exporting companies, the country showcased its flagship product at the Argentine Beef Pavilion, reinforcing its commitment to market diversification and the expansion of halal-certified exports.
Gulfood is one of the four major international trade fairs in which the IPCVA will participate throughout the year and brings together the world’s leading meat-producing countries, positioning it as a strategic platform for Argentina’s beef industry.
A strategic market for export diversification
IPCVA authorities highlighted the relevance of Gulfood not only due to its global scale, but also because of the strategic importance of the region.
“It is a very important fair for us, not only because of the country where it takes place, but because it is a region that continues to consolidate year after year and allows us to diversify destinations for Argentine beef,”
said Georges Breitschmitt, President of the IPCVA.
The Arab market requires halal certification, a religious standard that Argentina already meets.
“We are prepared and ready to offer our most emblematic product,”
Breitschmitt added.
The global expansion of the halal market
For Mario Ravettino, Vice President of the IPCVA, the halal market continues to grow steadily on a global scale.
“It is expanding permanently due to the number of Muslim consumers not only in this region, but also in Europe, the United States, and major Asian countries,”
he explained.
In addition, Gulfood attracts buyers and exhibitors from Southeast Asia, a region considered one of the key future objectives for Argentine beef exporters.
Gulfood 2026: a record-breaking edition
The 2026 edition of Gulfood took place across two major venues in Dubai — the Dubai World Trade Centre and the Dubai Exhibition Centre — reflecting the sustained growth of the exhibition. The meat sector was presented on an unprecedented scale, with the participation of exporters, producers, and processors from around the world.
Industry sources note that while Europe is a mature market, the United States remains in a development phase and China is already fully consolidated. In this context, the Arab world and Southeast Asia continue to represent the main growth challenges and opportunities for Argentine beef.
Argentine companies present in Dubai
Accompanying the IPCVA at Gulfood 2026 were the companies Offal Exp, Frimsa, Industrias Frigoríficas Sur, Frigorífico Rioplatense, Grupo Lequio, Frigorífico Bermejo, Azul Natural Beef, Bustos Beltrán, and Argall, all seeking to strengthen commercial ties and open new export opportunities in high-potential markets.
Through its participation at Gulfood 2026, Argentina reaffirmed the quality, reliability, and international competitiveness of its beef, consolidating its position as a key global supplier in the halal and premium meat segments.
