AGP Executive Report

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.

Halal Dining Expansion: Jollibee keeps pushing in the Gulf with a new flagship at Bahrain City Centre, bringing Chickenjoy, Jolly Spaghetti and Peach Mango Pie to a high-footfall food court. Food Safety Crackdown (Iraq): Nasiriyah authorities seized 200kg of spoiled meat from a restaurant, with officials saying doctors confirmed it was spoiled rather than pork, while courts have previously punished meat mislabeling. Travel & Hospitality (UAE/GCC): Plaza Premium Group opened two new lounges at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, while Air France prepares a major JFK Terminal One move and its biggest international lounge—both underscoring how premium dining and service are becoming core airport perks. MENA Tourism Through Food: A Malaysian halal nasi kandar spot is drawing visitors to Vietnam’s Phu Quoc, sourcing meat and chicken via certified halal supply chains. Supply Chain & Security Risk: Saudi Arabia reported an air-raid alert near Riyadh’s main airport amid escalation with Houthi rebels, raising fears for regional oil routes that affect food logistics.

UAE Health & Industry: Abu Dhabi will host the 5th Healthcare Leaders Summit (Sept 22–23) with Forbes Middle East and PureHealth, bringing 3,000 participants and 100+ speakers to discuss “Defining Global Standards in Healthcare Excellence.” Middle East Food Trade: Morocco will showcase local products at Global Food Week 2026 in Abu Dhabi (Oct 6–8), aiming to open Gulf and Middle East market access for producers and exporters. Israel Wine Market: Israel’s wine industry is facing falling demand, with wineries reporting weaker sales and more shoppers seeking lower prices and low-/no-alcohol options. UAE Tourism & F&B: ATM 2026 coverage highlights UAE/GCC travel growth moves, including dnata Travel Group partnership expansion and new hospitality activity around Dubai and Doha. Restaurant Scene: A Tel Aviv Mediterranean spot, Zoti, is drawing full-house crowds with high-energy entertainment and premium cocktails; meanwhile, a Syrian halal restaurant in Michigan (Pattternz) closed after eight years, underscoring how local Middle Eastern dining communities can be fragile.

UAE & GCC Tourism Push: Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 in Dubai highlighted rising demand for short-haul escapes, luxury and family travel, with dnata Travel Group touting new partnerships and Germany reporting strong GCC visitor spend. Hospitality & Guest Expectations: A panel at ATM focused on how hotels must keep human service at the center even as digital tools and AI shape bookings. Abu Dhabi Retail Meets Dining: Aldar’s Saadiyat Grove is set to open in Q4 2026 as a museum-led luxury destination, selling the “flip-your-head” sightline concept to attract high-end shoppers. Food & Travel Tech for Restaurants: Saudi Arabia’s Foodics launched an AI financing tool aimed at helping restaurants manage cash flow. Middle East Food Culture on the Move: A Beirut-to-Baghdad expansion plan (Allo Beirut) signals continued regional appetite for cross-city dining brands. Wellness Ingredient Spotlight: Nutmeg is getting fresh attention in wellness circles for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory claims—another reminder of how spices are crossing from pantry to supplements.

Wellness Ingredient Spotlight: A new report highlights nutmeg’s long culinary roots and growing wellness appeal, pointing to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory claims and noting it’s sold as capsules, tablets and extracts. Food Safety & Pharma: Israeli researchers found urine can turn brown in people taking mesalamine after adding hypochlorous acid (bleach-related), helping explain a recurring patient concern and distinguishing it from actual blood. Middle East Trade & Industry: Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) is courting Brazil for logistics and localisation, including potential grain hubs plus food, medical and lab manufacturing. Hospitality & Dining Growth (UAE/Türkiye): Aldar says Saadiyat Grove in Abu Dhabi will open in Q4 2026 with luxury retail and fine dining; in Istanbul, Florentia Village’s luxury designer outlet officially opened. Brand & Distribution Moves: dnata Travel Group signed 12 partnerships at ATM 2026 to expand hotel, cruise and travel tech reach. Leadership in Dairy R&D: Parag Milk Foods appointed Phalgun Trivedi as Chief for R&D, quality control and food safety.

Hotel Dining Leadership: Marriott Marquis City Center Doha appointed Chef Piero Nogaro to lead Cucina, bringing decades of Italian experience and prior Middle East stints to the Doha menu. Tourism Partnerships: Emirates signed 11 new partnerships at Arabian Travel Market, including destination tie-ups aimed at widening customer reach for Mozambique, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Ras Al Khaimah. Food Delivery Expansion: Egypt’s Breadfast is adding restaurant delivery services to its everyday convenience platform, pushing further into on-demand food. Agri-Tech in the UAE: Tathmeer launched MENA’s first integrated agri-tech innovation centre in Sharjah, positioning the region for new farming and supply-chain solutions. MENA Food & Culture: Aroya shifts from Arabian Gulf to Mediterranean positioning for 2026/27, while OREO taps into the UAE’s pistachio moment. Industry Tech & Marketing: Infobip research says many brands struggle to prove ROI on sports fan engagement, even as investment rises—relevant for food & beverage marketers chasing measurable campaigns.

Abu Dhabi Hospitality Health Rules: From July 1, hotel and tourism-licensed F&B venues must add at least one “healthy” option in every adult menu category, with children’s menus meeting approved nutrition standards; low-sodium salt is also the default table option, with full enforcement starting Oct. 1. Egypt Delivery Expansion: Breadfast adds “Breadfast Food,” letting users order restaurant meals via its app, building on its grocery and baked-goods delivery network after a recent US$50m pre-Series C. Gulf Food Tech & Operations: Schneider Electric launched a 2026 Industrial AI in CPG study in the UAE, finding faster AI adoption among manufacturers and highlighting cybersecurity as a key priority. Snacking Business Update: pladis (McVitie’s, Ülker, GODIVA) reported 2025 revenue up 1.2% to £3.27bn but lower profits amid commodity inflation and currency volatility, while continuing UK factory investment. Bahrain–Italy Culinary Collab: Chef Tala Bashmi heads to Franco Pepe’s Authentica in Italy for a one-night kitchen collaboration spotlighting modern Khaleeji cuisine. Packaging Push: The PaperFlex Consortium adds major consumer goods firms to develop recyclable/biodegradable paper-based flexible packaging alternatives. Food Safety Watch: Abu Dhabi’s menu rules and local enforcement come as the wider region continues tightening health and hygiene standards across hospitality.

MENA Food Trade & Events: Spain’s “Eat Spain, Drink Spain” returns to Qatar for a second run from Sept. 20 to Oct. 4, bringing Spanish chefs and tastings to hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and specialty shops. UAE Hospitality & Dining Buzz: Dubai’s restaurant scene keeps pulling in global attention, with celebrity sightings and high-end openings adding to the city’s F&B momentum. Agri-Tech Push in the Gulf: Tathmeer launched MENA’s first agri-tech innovation centre in Sharjah, aiming to back next-gen farming and food innovation. Food Safety/Compliance Spotlight: Saudi Arabia’s Foodics rolled out an AI financing tool for restaurants, while separate enforcement stories underline how compliance and hiring checks remain a live issue for food operators. Tourism Meets Food: GCC tourism continues adapting as travel demand returns, with destinations leaning on experiences and local offerings. Wellness Ingredient Trend: Nutmeg is getting fresh attention in the wellness world, with renewed interest in its culinary and health-linked uses. Restaurant Openings & Menu Moves: New dining concepts and limited-time menu launches keep rolling out across the wider market, from themed food festivals to brand partnerships.

Wellness & Nutrition Trend: OREO launches limited-edition OREO Pistash-YO in the UAE with real pistachios, riding a wider “snacking” push and pistachio’s growing popularity across biscuits and baked goods. AgriTech for Food Security: Tathmeer Agri Tech (UAE) and Sharjah’s SPARK open MENA’s first Integrated Agri-Tech Innovation Centre, aiming to test and scale agri technologies via controlled-environment farming, hydroponics, automation, IoT and AI monitoring. Food Innovation & Ingredients: A new market outlook flags polyglycerol fatty acid esters as a fast-growing ingredient for food and beverages, with demand tied to clean-label and bio-based emulsifier needs. Hospitality & F&B Events: Italian wine-and-cuisine OCM dinners bring Batasiolo and Castello di Gabiano to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, pairing labels with curated Italian menus. Tourism-Linked Demand: Expo 2030 Riyadh workforce planning ramps up early, with TASC and nuwa partnering to cover hospitality, retail, and food & beverage staffing needs for the mega-event.

Restaurant Finance (UAE/Saudi): Foodics has launched Capital 2.0, an AI-powered restaurant financing tool unveiled at Money20/20 Middle East in Riyadh, promising eligibility checks and digital disbursement within four hours, with repayments taken via small deductions from daily settlements. Food Safety Crackdown (India): The FDA suspended Mumbai’s Cafe Mondegar licence after findings including inadequate drainage, poor cleaning/sanitising, damaged damp flooring, and temperature-control failures for hot and cold foods. Tourism & Food Economy (Oman): OERLive reports Khareef Dhofar has already beaten last year’s full-season visitor record, raising the question of whether the region is getting better at monetising arrivals, not just attracting them. Corporate Moves (Middle East-linked): Rebel Foods cut FY26 net loss by 16% to about ₹282cr while revenue rose 21%, and it operates brands across India, the UAE and the UK—signalling continued expansion and possible listing plans. Brand & Retail (GCC/Global): Starbucks rolls out a Middle East-wide Peanuts fall collection, including a limited Snoopy glass cup, as it leans further into merchandise alongside seasonal drinks. Hospitality Expansion (Turkey): Hillside Beach Club’s return-rate success is highlighted again via a Harvard Business School case study, after a property-wide renovation on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast.

Saudi Inflation Watch: Saudi Arabia’s annual inflation hit 1.8% in August, with housing and utilities the biggest driver (+3.9%), while food and beverages rose more modestly (+1.4%). GCC Travel & Food Tourism: Seychelles Tourism Board is putting the GCC at the center of its high-value strategy for ATM 2026, banking on Gulf air links via Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi. UAE Dining Openings: Jaww Spot debuts in Abu Dhabi as a neo-Emirati, ingredient-led concept blending Levantine and Mediterranean flavors. Regional Restaurant Expansion: Tashas Group plans to roll out 20 NALA restaurants across the GCC over five years, testing whether its “fancy canteen” format scales beyond Dubai. Halal on the Menu (Europe): A Paris steakhouse owner says he faced an Islamophobic backlash after adding halal meat options, despite customer demand. Food Delivery & Halal Discovery (Philippines): Grab and NCMF are piloting easier Halal identification on GrabFood via certification-backed tagging.