AGP Executive Report

Halal Dining Spotlight: Kebab on Fire is drawing attention in Whistler Village with an all-Halal menu, targeting Muslim and immigrant diners who struggle to find certified options. Consumer Pressure in Restaurants: In France, anxious consumers are cutting back on spending—sharing starters, skipping wine, and leaning on cheaper beer terraces—signaling pressure on foodservice demand. Syrian Craft & Food Culture: Aleppo artisan Ayman Saeed is keeping centuries-old “Ajami” decorative wood painting alive, noting how time and lack of support threaten traditional crafts that shape Gulf and restaurant aesthetics. BRICS Cultural Policy: BRICS leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration calling for protection of cultural heritage and repatriation of antiquities, with culture framed as a driver of people-to-people ties. Kosher Dining (Athens): A compact cluster of verified kosher spots in Athens—meat, dairy, fish/vegetarian, and buffet Shabbat—highlights how supervision and hours matter for visitors. Oman Exports: Oman’s non-oil exports rose to about OMR 3.6bn by end-June 2026, supported by logistics and an export platform linking firms to buyers. Airline Food Habits: Flight attendants say in-flight meals are generally safe, with pasta, chili, soup, sandwiches and salty dishes holding up best.

Oman Trade Boost: Oman says non-oil exports hit about OMR 3.6bn by end-June 2026, up 11.4% year-on-year, citing better logistics, ports, and its “Exports Oman” platform. Saudi Tourism & Hospitality: Saudi, Welcome to Arabia wrapped up at WTM Spotlight Riyadh, highlighting cultural, coastal and adventure offerings and announcing a partnership linking Almosafer with the Saudi Partner Tourism Exchange Portal. Saudi National Day Stays: Banyan Tree AlUla is offering a Saudi National Day package (22–26 Sept) with Ashar Valley experiences like yoga, Arabic lessons, bike/photo tours and stargazing. Israel Food & Drink Culture: A profile spotlights Eyal Shani, “godfather of Israeli cuisine,” saying sharing food spreads joy. Food Safety & Traceability: A US-focused piece argues stronger traceability rules are needed to speed up responses to contamination scares and protect consumers. Travel-Food Demand: Thessaloniki’s fair and waterfront concert are driving hotel occupancy above 95% and pushing strong restaurant bookings for the weekend.

Middle East Food & Beverage Business: Yum Brands’ CFO Ranjith Roy says the company is “prepared to make bold moves” and is open to adding new brands if it “makes sense,” as it pushes growth across Taco Bell, KFC and Habit Burger. MENA Startup & Compliance: Morocco’s LegalTech Charikaty secured pre-seed funding (about €3m valuation) with Gulf investors, expanding from company incorporation into broader business services across compliance and operations. Hospitality & Travel (GCC): The Hoxton is set to debut in Dubai, signaling continued hotel-led momentum in the region’s food-and-dining ecosystem. Food Industry Leadership: Hershey named Dave Hulays CFO, while J.M. Smucker elected Jeff Varcoe to oversee quality, compliance and innovation—both moves that can ripple into supply chain and product execution. Regional Food Culture: Georgian cuisine is gaining traction in the U.S., with growing restaurant openings—an indirect boost for diaspora-driven demand in global food scenes.

Food Policy & Health Regulation: India’s Supreme Court questioned whether ultra-processed foods should face the same front-of-pack warning-label thresholds as other packaged foods, warning that grouping them with less-processed items could blur nutritional differences. Hospitality & Tourism (Saudi): Howard Johnson by Wyndham debuts in Riyadh with a newly renovated property in Al Nasiriyah, expanding midscale options under Vision 2030. Food Innovation (Israel): Amai Proteins appointed Doug Brown as CEO to scale sweet protein ingredient commercialization, positioning its monellin-based sweelin® for the GLP-1/peptide era. Beverage & Heritage (Israel/Jordan Valley): A new distillery in northern Israel is turning “ugly” dates into alcohol, reviving a 2,000-year-old tradition with date spirit. Luxury Dining (BRICS, India): Delhi hotels are rolling out summit menus featuring regional dishes for visiting BRICS leaders, including Kashmiri walnuts and Purani Dilli flavours. Corporate Growth (India Healthcare): Marengo Asia Hospitals secured $40m growth capital from LeapFrog Investments to expand hospital capacity and reach more Indian cities. Restaurant Openings (UAE): Jaan is set to launch in Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, bringing a premium casual Indian concept to a historic district. Export & Agrifood Trade: ProviCo won an Agribusiness, Food and Beverage export award, highlighting protein-ingredient exports to the Middle East and other global markets.

Diesel Shock to Food Aisles: Record U.S. diesel prices near $6 a gallon are already squeezing trucking margins and are expected to flow into grocery-store costs, with analysts pointing to Middle East supply-risk dynamics around the Strait of Hormuz. CPG Cost Pressure: Wholesale inflation stayed steady, but grains and oilseed prices jumped sharply, hinting at higher input costs for snacks, bakery and pasta makers. UAE “Made in the Emirates” Push: In the UAE, the local label is gaining traction as shoppers link it to fresher, healthier food and stronger trust in domestic manufacturing. Miznon at the U.S. Open: The Tel Aviv-born chain’s green bean bowl (a fries stand-in) became a surprise hit, showing how Middle Eastern concepts are winning mainstream sports crowds. Food Safety Watch: Inspections flagged issues from fly activity and improper cooling to dented cans and temperature-control failures at multiple eateries. Restaurant Openings: Carnegie Deli is set to reopen in New York, while new Middle Eastern-leaning dessert and café concepts keep expanding in the region’s hospitality pipeline.

Oil & Inflation Shock: Brent crude pushed above $100 as U.S.-Iran tensions and reduced Strait of Hormuz traffic raise fears of higher fuel costs, with knock-on pressure for trucking, shipping, aviation and food supply chains. MENA Food Manufacturing: Nestlé Philippines is expanding its Chuckie Tanauan chocolate drink factory, adding a new filling line to produce ~144m extra packs yearly—framed as resilience against global supply disruptions. Turkey Payments & Dining Spend: Türkiye overtook Spain as Europe’s biggest credit card market, with card payments boosting household spending; travel and restaurants are highlighted as top beneficiaries. Saudi Hospitality & Tourism: Nammos Resort AMAALA opens on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, positioning the destination as a new luxury draw for the region. Coffee Culture in Turkey: Istanbul’s Prime Istanbul Coffee Festival runs Sept. 10–13 with 162 brands, tastings, workshops and daily music. Travel Retail Beverage Focus: A report from TFWA Singapore spotlights what makes drinks stand out in airport and border stores—mixing brand storytelling with conversion-driven retail tactics. Food & Beverage Investment (Europe): AGRANA agreed to buy Austrian flavour maker esarom (enterprise value ~€150m), expanding flavour and beverage base capabilities. Health & Nutrition Ingredients: Tate & Lyle set a new fibre fortification goal aimed at closing consumers’ daily fibre gap through healthier food and beverage formulations.

Food Safety Enforcement: India’s TG SAFE shut a men’s PG hostel and suspended FSSAI licences of five eateries in Kukatpally after inspections found spoiled/contaminated food, pest infestations, poor hygiene, weak segregation/labeling, and unclean storage; samples were seized and further notices issued. Hospitality & Dining: Gulf Hotels Group reopened China Garden at Gulf Hotel Bahrain after a full renovation, alongside upgrades to Takht Jamsheed and Café Délice as part of a wider Marriott Autograph Collection expansion. Beverage & Brewing Business: Nigeria’s Nigerian Breweries reported a major turnaround, wiping out its loan portfolio to become debt-free, supported by strong H1 net revenue and cash generation. Food Industry Economics: A report on food inflation points to conflict and climate pressures continuing to squeeze supermarket costs across the region. Prepared Food Retail: Casey’s Q1 2027 call highlights growth in prepared food and dispensed beverages, with inside sales momentum tied to traffic and whole pizza pies. Market Watch (Pharma Supply Chain): A hygienic manifold skids market update flags continued demand from sterile pharma and biopharma production.

Fuel & food inflation pressure (Cyprus): Cypriot households are bracing for another autumn of higher costs as Brent-linked fuel swings keep feeding into food, transport and services, with experts warning price drops rarely follow inflation easing. Food safety crackdown (India): Telangana’s TG SAFE raided 20 eateries in Kukatpally, including the viral Bhulakshmi Mess, citing spoiled meat/vegetables, pest infestations, poor hygiene and storage, and improper segregation/labeling; samples were seized and contaminated items discarded. MENA hospitality & dining openings (UAE): Dubai’s J1 Hotel, a Gran Meliá debut in Jumeirah 1 (Q4 2027), is set to make F&B a headline with new venues including Zuma Beach House and Park Chinois, plus Pan-Middle Eastern concept Tala. Restaurant scene (Dubai): A fresh wave of Dubai cafe/restaurant openings highlights specialty coffee and Pan-Asian additions, with several new spots slated for late 2026/early October. Israel security & food-linked target risk: Israeli forces dismantled a Hamas-linked network allegedly planning attacks including at a restaurant in Modi’in, underscoring ongoing security concerns around public venues. Biotech with gastro relevance (Israel/China): Can-Fite reported a case study of Namodenoson improving decompensated cirrhosis outcomes, while Cocrystal advanced an oral norovirus drug candidate into later-stage results planning.

Halal Tourism Push: Macau’s new Halal Industry Development Association will prioritize getting hotels halal-certified, aiming to close a gap where 25 food makers and 10 restaurants are certified but no hotel is yet designated—positioning the city to capture fast-growing Muslim travel demand. Saudi Hospitality & Lifestyle: Red Sea Global officially opens Nammos Resort AMAALA in AlUla, adding a new flagship resort-hotel to the AMAALA lifestyle and gastronomy scene. Health & Food Policy: Israel’s Health Ministry advances rules to iodine-enrich packaged household table salt (30mg/kg), targeting widespread iodine deficiency among children and pregnant women. Food Prices Watch: The UK Food and Drink Federation warns food inflation could hit nearly 4% by Christmas, with pressures from conflict and extreme weather keeping prices elevated into next year. Export Spotlight: Egypt lines up about 20 companies for WorldFood Moscow 2026, pitching frozen produce, canned foods, herbs and spices while tackling logistics and market access. Dining in Syria: A Damascus restaurant review highlights how modern café culture (including matcha) is blending into traditional city life.

Middle East Hospitality Expansion: The Hoxton is set for its Middle East debut with a 230-room flagship in Dubai Media City, bringing its open-house concept plus a new wellness club and café Beaum, with four F&B concepts curated by Paris Society. MENA Venue Growth: Legends Global expanded MENA-APAC leadership, naming Santiago Olea GM of Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai and elevating Mark Jan Kar to oversee strategic projects across both regions. Saudi Dining Spotlight: Fairmont Riyadh’s House of Grill is rolling out a new French-led steak menu by chef Nicolas Isnard, with a six-course tasting menu running Sept 30–Oct 3 before the full à la carte launches Oct 4. Food Trade & Supply: Armenia has started fresh fruit and vegetable exports to the UAE at up to 40 tons weekly via a Dubai-founded platform, with volumes expected to rise. Food Safety Watch: A Sarasota County pizza restaurant was temporarily closed after rodent droppings were found by an inspector, underscoring ongoing hygiene scrutiny. Industry & Consumer Pressure: Rising oil and inflation fears are rattling markets, with Brent nearing $100—an input-cost headwind that can feed through to food and beverage pricing.

Food & Drink Innovation: Israel’s Ministry of Health has approved Amai Proteins’ sweelin® as a novel food ingredient, enabling manufacturers to cut sugar by up to 70% across 25+ food and beverage categories. Health & Nutrition Research: A Turkish study reports kefir supplementation protected juvenile rat testes from high-fructose corn syrup damage, adding to interest in fermented foods and fertility support. Hospitality & Investment: Morocco’s AKDITAL opened its first Saudi hospital in Riyadh (140 beds, 50+ units), signaling private healthcare expansion under Vision 2030. Sustainability & Waste: An Egyptian study says biodiesel from waste cooking oil can power diesel engines, with B20 (20% biodiesel) delivering the best balance of performance and emissions. Trade & Exports: El Salvador showcased specialty coffee, honey, cocoa/chocolate and alcoholic beverages at F İstanbul 2026 to win new retail, hotel and café partnerships. Regional Business/Real Estate: Garuda Construction’s unit signed an MoU for a 93-storey twisting tower in Jeddah featuring a five-star hotel and rooftop restaurant.

Airport Dining Expansion: Lagardère Travel Retail is boosting Saudi Arabia’s F&B footprint with new Marché and Sawa concepts at Madinah’s Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, adding a 52-seat international food hall plus a growing regional grab-and-go network. Regional Conflict Impact on Food & Hospitality: Israeli strikes hit Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon, destroying a historic building that previously housed a restaurant and damaging nearby shops and cafes. Trade & Spice Supply Risk: The US Iran sanctions push is raising alarms for Spain’s saffron supply chain, with Iran still a major source and Spain a key gateway into Europe. Tourism + Food Travel: Morocco is winning more GCC visitors, with rising arrivals and receipts supporting demand for gastronomy-led stays; meanwhile, a new boutique hotel is set to open on Samos (Greece) with wine-led dining. Retail Economics for Food Operators: Dubai retail rents rose 5.9% year-on-year, keeping pressure on prime locations—relevant for restaurant and café expansion plans. Foodservice Talent Spotlight: Saudi Arabia’s push for Michelin recognition continues to draw attention to its dining scene. Health & Nutrition Business Signals: Market reports point to growth in oncology nutrition and functional beverages, reflecting ongoing demand for specialized food products.

Lebanon Conflict Impacts Food & Hospitality: Israeli strikes hit Nabatiyeh, killing at least four and injuring 20, while destroying Ghandour hospital and a historic building that had housed a restaurant—damaging nearby shops and cafes. Beverage Packaging Shift: With West Asia conflict disrupting aluminium can supply, Indian beverage makers are moving more SKUs to glass and PET bottles as can prices rise and commissioning delays continue. UAE Corporate Earnings (Food & Beverage Angle): UAE listed firms’ Q2 profits jumped 28.6% to Dh79.2bn, with the food, beverage and tobacco sector among the top earners on the exchange. Saudi Hospitality Expansion: A new Saudi-managed Atheel KAFD Hotel opens in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, adding 214 rooms and multiple dining venues. UAE/Regional Tourism & Travel: Over 140 international buyers arrived in Masvingo for Zimbabwe’s tourism expo, including contingents from the Middle East, boosting hotel and lodge demand. Kuwait Pressure on Iranian Community: A Persian restaurant in Kuwait removed “Iran” from its name amid war-related sensitivity, reflecting growing pressure on Iranian residents. Food Safety (Broader Context): A UK report lists North East eateries fined for employing illegal workers, including a Middle Eastern restaurant fined £135,000. Restaurant Openings: San Carlo has opened in Cairo West, bringing wood-fired pizza, homemade pasta and seafood to the market.

Food & Sleep Science: A Nature Health study highlights how meal choices and timing can affect sleep right away, with experts pointing to a Mediterranean-style pattern (fruit/veg, wholegrains, lean proteins, healthy fats) and plant-forward diets that may support gut-brain signaling. New Openings (Cairo): San Carlo has opened in Cairo West, bringing wood-fired pizza, homemade pasta and seafood to expand its Egypt footprint beyond the North Coast. Health & Safety (Poultry): Farm Forward warns salmonella strains in chicken and turkey are rising and becoming more antibiotic-resistant, arguing regulators aren’t doing enough to protect shoppers. Gulf Dining Under Pressure (Kuwait): A Persian restaurant in Kuwait removed “Iran” from its name amid war-related pressure on the Iranian community, reflecting how politics is spilling into branding and daily business. Restaurant Expansion (Pakistan): Subway plans to triple its footprint in Pakistan via a master franchise deal with Blue Sub, targeting 200 new outlets over the next decade. Hospitality (Zimbabwe): Hilton signs to bring its first Zimbabwe hotel—Hilton Garden Inn Harare Highlands—into a mixed-use precinct with an all-day restaurant and conferencing.

Middle East Dining & Hospitality: Mérida Restaurant Week returns Sept 28–Oct 4 with projected economic impact of over 150 million pesos, featuring fixed-price menus from 199 pesos and a new “Experiencias Mérida” category for multi-course tasting concepts. Iran & Food Culture: A feature spotlights an Iranian restaurant’s “enormous kebab platter,” leaning into the spectacle side of Middle Eastern dining. Qatar Entertainment Meets Food Scene: The Pinoy Popstar Qatar – Middle East Edition crowned Unica De Vera at Holiday Villa Hotel’s Majestic Hall, reflecting how regional events keep drawing audiences to hospitality venues. Yemen Conflict Disrupting Supply Chains: Yemen’s internationally recognised government launched air attacks on Houthi positions in Taiz and Hodeidah, with fighting around the Red Sea coast raising risks for regional trade routes that underpin food and beverage logistics. UAE Hospitality: Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri in Abu Dhabi highlights a resort “abra” canal escape plus traditional gahwa welcome—another reminder that Middle East F&B is increasingly tied to experiential tourism.

Yemen Conflict Impact: Yemen’s internationally recognised government launched at least 15 air strikes on Houthi positions in Taiz and Hodeidah, escalating fighting near the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb—an important shipping artery that can quickly ripple into food and beverage supply chains. Green Tea Ingredient Push: Jiangxi Serum Pharma says it’s expanding export reach for green tea extract and other botanical nutrition ingredients, targeting markets including the Middle East with quality certifications and supply stability claims. Labor Compliance Crackdown: A UK government list shamed North East businesses—including a Middle Eastern restaurant—for employing illegal workers, underlining ongoing compliance pressure for food operators. Hospitality & Dining Openings: A Turkish spot is set to open in Chippenham after a Grounded closure, while local “throwback” restaurant coverage highlights how dining brands evolve in existing spaces. Foodservice Demand Signals: US job growth data points to hiring in restaurant and bar sectors, a reminder that consumer spending and staffing remain key watchpoints for F&B operators.