What happened
The fourth World Grain and Pulses Forum ran at the JW Marriott Hotel Marina in Dubai from 26 to 28 January 2026. More than 1,100 delegates from over 55 countries and some 700 companies attended across the three days.
Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa were all represented. Exporters, importers, traders, logistics companies and financial service providers made up the bulk of the room, with government bodies, industry associations and analysts alongside them.
What was discussed
The business programme worked through access to new markets, the development of logistics chains, exchange-based grain trading, export potential and global demand for agricultural products. Delegates also went over the geography of Russian grain, export volumes and the international routes now changing.
Zero Day opened proceedings with its own sessions and a welcome cocktail. What followed combined business sessions with the Grain Gala Dinner and a cultural programme — formats meant to leave room for direct negotiation between suppliers and buyers rather than presentations alone.
Four years in Dubai
Four years in Dubai have given the forum a settled place in the calendar. It has become a meeting point between producers and their international partners, particularly in North Africa and the Middle East, and remains an independent platform rather than a national one.
