Plans for this year’s ISM Middle East are progressing full steam ahead for the annual event in Dubai that is set to showcase some of the region’s key offerings, as well as global developments, reports Neill Barston.

The organisers behind the 2026 event have placed considerable energy into securing its delivery, attracting a notable array of brands and businesses from across the world to participate in the well-established showcase.

This comes despite ongoing geopolitical conditions in the region, with the Iran war now entering its seventh month in the region – which had prompted the event to be moved back from its previous date originally scheduled for September, to its previous traditional positioning alongside Gulfood Manufacturing equipment and systems show, being staged between 3-5 November at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

ISM Middle East made a successful return to the Dubai World Trade Centre, including event mascot Gismo. Pic: Neill Barston

As Confectionery Production has previously found covering the event, there have been a wealth of sweets and snacking options being displayed, highlighting the region’s strong love of snacking and gifting that has driven the sector significantly in recent years.

Notably, much of this is down to the UAE’s comparatively young demographic, eager to seize upon the latest brand developments, with TikTok and other social media platforms continuing to drive interest for the category, as confectionery fans clamour to see the latest options – and in some cases experiment at making items themselves, such as the global phenomenon that has been seen with the creation of Dubai Chocolate, which emerged from a small kitchen batch to become an international sensation.

British premium confectionery brand Charbonnel et Walker made its debut at ISM Middle East with a successful award nomination. Pics; Neill Barston

Chocolate focus
As for this year’s event, which serves as the sister showcase to the ISM Cologne show (which returns next January in Germany), exhibitors at the 2026 iteration in the UAE hail from a diverse background including Italy, Poland, Germany, China, Spain, Türkiye, as well as a fast-rising range of local producers who are helping set a new benchmark for quality and standards in the region.

Chef Nouel Catis, credited with the recipe for Dubai Chocolate, spoke at the ISM Middle East event. Pic: Neill Barston

Moreover, according to the Dubai World Trade Centre, this year’s exhibitors include an eclectic mix of brands from the region and across Europe, including Klett Schokolade, Millano Group, Akanlar Gıda, LEE Chocolate, Trapa Chocolates, and Melodi bringing together a broad sourcing mix spanning filled pralines, tablets, dark chocolate, pistachio and nut-led ranges, reduced-sugar formulations, premium gifting and retail- and hospitality-ready formats.

In addition, as the organisers noted and our title has found in its own reporting, many confectionery buyers are increasingly seeking out chocolate and sweets that offer an elevated experience, with texture, and distinctive flavours proving high on many consumers’ agenda.

ISM Middle East brings those opportunities together in one place, giving retailers, distributors, foodservice operators, and hospitality buyers direct access to the producers, products, and ranges shaping the next phase of the chocolate category across the region.

Among some of those names confirmed so far is Germany’s Klett Schokolade specialises in hollow chocolate figures, with more than 200 formats alongside tablets, filled products and chocolate balls. Its portfolio span milk, dark and white chocolate through to organic, Fairtrade and ingredient-led recipes, with branded and private-label production, which can be seen at  Za’abeel Hall 4 | Stand No: Z4-E3

Furthermore, Spanish confectionery group,  Trapa Chocolates has a history dating back to 1891, and spans pralines, tablets, mini chocolates and gifting, with ranges covering high-cocoa dark chocolate, Stevia and 0% added-sugar formulations. Its portfolio is also palm-oil free, with gluten-free options across the range, at Za’abeel Hall 5 | Stand No: Z5-A70

Meanwhile, Poland’s Millano produces solid, filled and aerated tablets, pralines, eggs, balls and bars, from 5g minis to 300g tablets, with fillings spanning classic nut and coffee to mojito, lime & mint and papaya. Its portfolio also includes high-protein and no-added-sugar chocolate, via Hall: Za’abeel Hall 4/ Stand No: Z4-D66.

Notably, local favourite Lee chocolate brand, which was among award-winners at last year’s ISM Middle East, combines  gift boxes, fresh chocolate, dragees, roasted nuts, dried fruits, slabs, no-added-sugar lines and Dubai/Kunafa pistachio formats, alongside private-label capability and local UAE manufacturing, available at Za’abeel Hall 5 | Stand No: Z5-120

Finally, another hotly-tipped business is Turkiye’s Melodi, offering more than traditional boxed chocolate with whole-pistachio tablets, pistachio Roches, truffles, pralines, chocolate-coated Turkish delight and premium gifting, alongside prebiotic milk and 70% dark chocolate with no added sugar, which can be seen at  Za’abeel Hall 4 | Stand No: Z4-E32