With 23% organic farmland, one of the highest in Europe, Estonia blends deep agricultural roots with cutting-edge food tech. With its healthy, plant-based and premium food offerings, this North European country is a natural partner for the UAE’s evolving food and beverage market.
Estonia returns to Gulfood 2025 for the 8th consecutive year, reaffirming its role as a pioneer in natural, high-quality, and innovative food production. From plant-based alternatives and collagen-infused wellness products to organic, clean-label and food tech solutions. Estonia’s top F&B brands are ready to meet the UAE’s demand for health-driven and sustainable products.
Strengthening UAE & GCC Trade Ties
Estonia’s participation reflects its long-term commitment to fostering trade relations in the region. H.E. Piret Hartman, Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, will attend to engage with industry leaders, strengthen collaborations, and support participating companies:
“Estonia’s food and beverages industry is deeply rooted in our connection to nature. We are proud to present a diverse selection of sustainable, innovative, and high-quality food products at Gulfood 2025. Our food industry is driven by a commitment to food innovation stemming into health-conscious, environmentally responsible, and cutting-edge solutions, which align with the UAE and GCC’s evolving food preferences. Through this platform, we aim to build lasting trade relationships, drive business growth, and introduce Estonian excellence to new markets” H.E. Piret Hartman stated.
Estonia’s Finest award-winning F&B Brands
The Estonian Pavilion (S-G52, Trade Centre Arena) proudly showcases some of Estonia’s most innovative and high-quality food and beverage brands, reinforcing the country’s reputation as a hub for excellence in the industry. Several Estonian companies have been recognised at the Gulfood Innovation Awards 2025, underlining their impact on the global F&B landscape.
Taking centre stage at Gulfood 2025, Thormi Technology has won the best “Ready-to-Eat” product award for its Shredded Chickenless in Coconut-Curry Sauce, praised for its taste, convenience, and sustainability. Estonia’s influence extends further with award nominees Haage, offering natural soft drinks and premium mineral water; Puljong, known for organic, Halal-certified broths and stocks; Revala, pioneers of lactose-free ice cream powders; and Rosena DK, innovators in Collagen-infused plant-based coffees, booster shots and smoothie powders.
Estonia’s lineup also includes leading brands such as A. Le Coq, Balsnack, BabyCool, CoffeeCrystal, EBM Group, ICONFIT, Öselwise, Punch Club, Salvest, Saku Brewery, Sume Green, SUNFLY, Valio, and YOOK Production, all driving innovation in beverages, snacks, oils, dairy, plant-based, and functional superfoods.
Among the product highlights are clean-label organic baby food, allergen-free sunflower seed butters, premium instant coffee from the finest beans, probiotic functional beverages, ultra-convenient smoothie mixes, mindful mocktails, and next-gen dairy-free oat drinks with exciting taste combinations, all showcasing Estonia’s innovative edge in natural and health-driven food solutions.
Here are excerpts from interview at Gulfood with Kadri Groon, Media Spokesperson, Enterprise Estonia.
DH- Please tell us about your participation at Gulfood this year.
Kadri- Yes, Estonian food sector and Estonian presence in Gulfood has actually been for quite a long, eight years so to say. So, we have been present and we see the companies who are present, there are some newcomers but there are many who have already been here many years. We see a big value of this Gulfood event and all the companies who come back and showcase their innovative and cool products to the UAE market.
DH- So, how have things have changed over the years? What kind of improvements, improvisations and what kind of companies have been added to Gulfood over the years?
Kadri- I think what’s changed and what’s improving all the time is the innovation part. Because we focus on sustainability. We have 19 companies at the moment, but there are many who have used food tech to prepare their products, like plant- based products and collagen infused wellness products. They are really focussing on how to improve it and we have also some new tech companies like Devlap and Ayo who are helping the companies to improve in innovation.
DH- Tell us more about your collaboration with the Middle East partners-
Kadri- We have been in Gulfood for eight years that shows our dedication and how it really is one of the important fairs that we attend from the Estonian side. It’s very important to mention that every year that we are here, the Ministry is attending Gulfood and giving their support to the companies and meeting with potential new partners. So, the Ministry is also backing us and seeing the value of how to collaborate and how to find new partners in your market. I think it’s good to see that the companies who are here and who want to come to Gulf region and find new partners. Like sustainability and it’s the same that aligns with your focus and looking for products so Estonia has the best options to offer in that sense.
DH- What I gather is that Estonia is bringing to the Middle East market lots of sustainable products. Could you please tell us more about these products, the sustainability factor and how they are better than the other ones?
Kadri- When we talk about sustainability and how Estonian food is sustainable, I have to mention where we come from. Estonia is very well located geographically, because being in North Europe, we have nature that supports us. Estonia is a very small country, but over 50% of our area is covered with forests, and 23% of our farmland is organic so we have the second- best air globally. We have pure water, so everything that we get we use it in our products and the companies are really taking that, you know, our location and what we have and bringing that to the products. We have this powdered ice cream that is using the best ingredients and also our beverage markets are quite interesting to see and taste.
Interesting facts about Estonia-
- Estonia has some of the cleanest air in the world.
- Estonia is super green! Over 50% of Estonia is covered by forest.
- Sauna is a way of life! Private homes often have their own sauna.
- Estonia receives more tourists each year than its total population.
- Estonia ranks number one in Europe in the Cybersecurity indeks, and its capital Tallinn is home to the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence.
