Why You Should Attend the MENA Dairy Congress in the UAE

The MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) is currently one of the fastest-growing dairy markets in the world. Investments in food security, local production, sustainability, and innovation are increasing each year.

The MENA Dairy Congress is a unique platform where, over two intensive days, participants will dive into the current challenges and opportunities of the regional dairy industry, establish partnerships, showcase their innovations, and gain insights into one of the world’s most dynamic markets.

As noted by Mikhail Mishchenko, founder of the MENA Dairy Congress and a leading international expert in dairy analytics, the updated 2026 program will be a significant step forward compared to previous events:

“The 2026 program will be fundamentally new. We're enhancing the international lineup of speakers and focusing on the region’s most pressing challenges. Key themes will include Food Safety & Traceability, sustainability, genetics, artificial intelligence, dairy marketing, and export strategies. We’re also placing special emphasis on government involvement — we expect representatives fr om ministries of agriculture, food security, and sustainability from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, and other MENA countries. This is an important step toward creating a unified dairy dialogue under the MENA Dairy Congress,” Mishchenko explained.

Each year, the MENA dairy market becomes increasingly open to international expertise. For example, Gulf countries are actively reducing their reliance on imports by localizing production and simultaneously boosting their export capabilities. According to Mikhail, particular interest lies in cases such as Bahrain, wh ere international brands like Arla have successfully localized cheese production and are now using the country as an export hub.

“We plan to thoroughly explore success stories from companies like Arla and Almarai, and will also highlight the production and marketing of camel milk — a segment with unique potential in the region,” Mishchenko added.

The congress program will also address topics such as sustainability, waste management, recycling, and cutting-edge food technologies (including precision fermentation and air butter), as well as innovative food labeling formats like NutriMark, which is widely used in Europe and just beginning to gain traction in MENA countries.

A dedicated session will cover the HORECA market, including restaurant chains, dairy product supply for airline catering, and the hospitality sector. Particularly noteworthy are cases from Dubai — the region’s largest logistics and culinary hub.

Other topics include the impact of artificial intelligence on livestock farming, breeding strategies tailored to hot climates, water and feed resource challenges, logistics, and international trade within and beyond GCC countries. The plenary session will provide analytical insights into key global markets — including India, the USA, the EU, Australia, and New Zealand.

The MENA Dairy Congress is more than just an exhibition or conference — it’s a fully-fledged business platform for:

• Building partnerships with the regional agribusiness sector

• Entering new export markets

• Showcasing your technologies and solutions

• Engaging in dialogue with government authorities and international organizations

The event will also feature B2B meetings, a gala dinner, and site visits to a dairy farm and a processing facility. Participants will include industry representatives from over 20 countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, India, EU nations, the US, and Australia.

Special Registration Offer

A special participation rate is currently available — the lowest registration fee applies for payments made before September 1, 2025.
To register and learn more, visit: menadc.dairynews.today