Updated October 2025

Product cycles are shortening and consumer habits are shifting monthly. In this industry, Food and Drink Events have become the true meeting ground of the global grocery business.

These are not consumer fairs or influencer expos. They are trade-only marketplaces where supermarket buyers, brand owners and distributors negotiate shelf space, packaging deals and sourcing contracts.

Post-pandemic, attendance has rebounded strongly. According to 2025 data, major Food and Drink Events are again drawing pre-COVID visitor numbers. In some cases they are even surpassing them.

Many shows now report over 70 percent international participation. This confirms that food retail has fully returned to face-to-face sourcing.

Below are the 20 most crucial trade-only Food and Drink Events for 2025–2026. They are ranked by global reach, scale and influence on supermarket strategy.

1. Anuga — Cologne, Germany

• Organizer: Koelnmesse
• Latest edition: October 2025
• Founded: 1919 (Cologne since 1924)
• Exhibitors: ≈ 7,900 from 118 countries
• Visitors: ≈ 140,000 from 200 markets
• Source: Koelnmesse – Anuga 2025 Post-Show Report

Anuga remains the largest trade-only food and beverage exhibition in the world.

Its ten specialist segments, from Fine Food to Frozen Food, make Cologne the centre of the global grocery map every two years.

Buyers from major supermarket groups attend to:

• spot next-generation products
• negotiate private-label contracts
• benchmark packaging or sustainability trends

The 2025 edition introduced a new “Anuga Technology Hub”. It focused on AI-driven production efficiency and carbon-tracking across supply chains. This is a sign of how technical the F&B conversation has become.

2. SIAL Paris — Paris, France

• Organizer: Comexposium
• Next edition: October 2026
• Founded: 1964
• Exhibitors (2024): ≈ 7,400 from 127 countries
• Visitors: ≈ 285,000 professionals
• Source: SIAL Paris 2024 Final Report – Comexposium

SIAL is the innovation fair of the global food industry. Where Anuga focuses on breadth, SIAL leads on new-product discovery and consumer insight.

Large supermarket chains attend for category inspiration, especially in plant-based, convenience and functional foods.

Its “SIAL Innovation Awards” have become a bellwether of what will reach retail shelves two years later.

3. Gulfood — Dubai, UAE

• Organizer: Dubai World Trade Center
• Next edition: February 2026
• Founded: 1987
• Exhibitors (2025): ≈ 5,500 from 190 countries
• Visitors: ≈ 144,000 professionals
• Source: DWTC – Gulfood 2025 Post-Show Summary

Gulfood serves the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific corridors. It is the largest annual trade-only food event.

For supermarket procurement teams expanding in emerging markets, it is an essential stop.

The 2025 edition highlighted halal certification, climate-resilient ingredients and logistics digitalization. These themes are closely tied to fast-growing retail regions.

4. PLMA “World of Private Label” — Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Organizer: Private Label Manufacturers Association
• Next edition: May 2026
• Founded: 1986
• Exhibitors (2025): ≈ 3,000
• Visitors: ≈ 28,000 trade buyers
• Source: PLMA Amsterdam 2025 Show Statistics

No event speaks the supermarket language like PLMA.

Every major European retailer, from discounters to hypermarkets, attends to scout suppliers for own-brand ranges.

In 2025, sustainability claims and European Green Deal compliance dominated booths.

For buyers, it is the fastest route to benchmark private-label innovation across food, non-food and packaging.

5. BioFach — Nuremberg, Germany

• Organizer: NürnbergMesse
• Next edition: February 2026
• Founded: 1990
• Exhibitors (2025): ≈ 2,350 from 94 countries
• Visitors: ≈ 36,000
• Source: NürnbergMesse – BioFach 2025 Post-Show Figures

BioFach is the world’s reference for organic food.

Supermarkets use it to connect with certified producers, co-packers and farm cooperatives as organic sales evolve beyond their pandemic spike.

Expect to see cross-category launches blending organic with “free-from” or regenerative claims. These are signals of where premium private label is heading.

6. ProWein — Düsseldorf, Germany

• Organizer: Messe Düsseldorf
• Next edition: March 2026
• Founded: 1994
• Exhibitors (2025): ≈ 4,200
• Visitors: ≈ 42,000
• Source: Messe Düsseldorf – ProWein 2025 Report

ProWein is the most influential trade-only wine and spirits fair.

For supermarkets managing alcoholic-beverage portfolios, it is where buying teams:

• compare vintages
• negotiate distribution rights
• assess low-/no-alcohol innovation

The 2025 edition reported growing interest in sustainable viticulture and lightweight glass. Both are critical to retail ESG targets.

7. Bar Convent Berlin (BCB) — Berlin, Germany

• Organizer: RX Global / Messe Berlin
• Next edition: October 2026
• Founded: 2007
• Exhibitors (2024): ≈ 560
• Visitors: ≈ 15,000 from 80 countries
• Source: RX Global – BCB 2024 Post-Show Statement

Once a niche bartenders’ meeting, BCB has grown into the leading trade fair for the international bar and spirits scene.

Supermarkets are not its core audience. But off-trade buyers attend to spot early trends that later move into retail aisles, such as:

• premium mixers
• ready-to-drink cocktails
• low-ABV spirits

8. Natural Products Expo West — Anaheim, USA

• Organizer: Informa Markets / New Hope Network
• Next edition: March 2026
• Founded: 1981
• Exhibitors (2025): ≈ 3,200
• Visitors: ≈ 70,000
• Source: Informa Markets – NPEW 2025 Show Report

The biggest natural and organic trade show in North America, Expo West, is where health-driven trends begin.

From functional snacks to probiotic beverages, this show predicts what mainstream supermarkets will adopt within two years.

Retailers like Kroger and Whole Foods regularly send innovation scouts to Anaheim for early discovery.

9. Summer Fancy Food Show — New York, USA

• Organizer: Specialty Food Association
• Next edition: June 2026
• Founded: 1955
• Exhibitors (2025): ≈ 2,600 brands from 60 countries
• Visitors: ≈ 30,000 trade professionals
• Source: Specialty Food Association – 2025 Show Data

The Fancy Food Show remains the gateway to North America’s premium and artisanal segment.

Supermarket buyers attend for gourmet and high-margin categories, such as olive oils, confectionery and fine beverages.

Post-COVID, the event has seen renewed international expansion. Italian, Spanish and Turkish pavilions are growing sharply.

10. Alimentaria — Barcelona, Spain

• Organizer: Fira de Barcelona
• Next edition: March 2026 (co-located with Hostelco)
• Founded: 1976
• Exhibitors (2024): ≈ 3,200 from 57 countries
• Visitors: ≈ 108,000 trade attendees
• Source: Fira de Barcelona – Alimentaria 2024 Official Report

Alimentaria is Southern Europe’s leading F&B trade fair. It is a major meeting point for Mediterranean food producers and European retailers.

Spanish and Italian supermarket groups treat it as a national sourcing week.

In 2024, the show introduced “Alimentaria Hub 360”. This digital matchmaking tool links retail buyers with exporters before the event and now continues year-round.

11. TUTTOFOOD — Milan, Italy

• Organizer: Fiera Milano
• Next edition: May 11 to 14, 2026
• Founded: 2007
• Exhibitors: ≈ 4,700 from 93 countries
• Visitors: ≈ 90,000 trade professionals
• Source: Fiera Milano – TUTTOFOOD 2026 Preliminary Results

TUTTOFOOD has matured into Italy’s most international food business platform, in line with Milan’s status as a trade capital.

Its hosted-buyer program attracts supermarket and foodservice purchasing teams from more than 80 markets.

The 2026 edition highlighted dairy, plant-based alternatives and traceability systems powered by blockchain. This underlines how Italian producers are merging heritage with innovation.

12. Cibus — Parma, Italy

• Organizer: Fiere di Parma in cooperation with Federalimentare
• Next edition: May 2026
• Founded: 1980
• Exhibitors (2024): ≈ 3,000
• Visitors: ≈ 75,000 professionals
• Source: Fiere di Parma – Cibus 2024 Final Report

Cibus is Italy’s domestic showcase for branded and private-label grocery.

It is smaller than TUTTOFOOD but more focused. Attendance is limited to verified buyers, importers and distributors.

Large supermarket groups use it to secure direct supplier deals and monitor “Made in Italy” certification trends.

The 2024 show recorded record participation from foreign importers, particularly from North America and the Gulf.

13. IBIE – International Baking Industry Exposition — Las Vegas, USA

• Organizer: American Bakers Association & BEMA
• Next edition: September 2025 (triennial)
• Founded: 1920
• Exhibitors: ≈ 1,000
• Visitors: ≈ 22,000 industry professionals
• Source: ABA/BEMA – IBIE 2025 Preview Data

IBIE is the Western Hemisphere’s largest baking and snack manufacturing event, fully trade-restricted.

It covers everything from industrial ovens to dough conditioners. It serves as a vital sourcing hub for supermarket in-store bakery operations.

Its technical conference stream attracts product-development teams focused on reformulation and shelf-life optimization.

14. iba — Düsseldorf, Germany

• Organizer: GHM Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen mbH
• Next edition: 2027 (triennial)
• Founded: 1949
• Exhibitors (2023): ≈ 1,000
• Visitors: ≈ 57,000 from 150 countries
• Source: IBA 2023 Post-Show Statistics – GHM

IBA is the global summit for bakery and confectionery technology, complementing IBIE in Europe.

Major retail chains are exploring in-store production solutions, packaging formats and frozen-dough innovation.

Its 2023 edition placed strong emphasis on automation, clean-label ingredients and energy efficiency.

15. Seafood Expo Global — Barcelona, Spain

• Organizer: Diversified Communications
• Next edition: April 2026
• Founded: 1993
• Exhibitors: ≈ 2,250
• Visitors: ≈ 35,000 from 160 countries
• Source: Diversified Communications – Seafood Expo Global 2025 Summary

Seafood Expo Global is the largest seafood trade event worldwide, drawing both retail and foodservice buyers.

Supermarket seafood category managers use it to assess sustainability certification schemes, logistics and cold-chain technology.

The 2025 edition recorded a 7 % increase in exhibitor participation. It also saw strong attendance from Nordic and Asian suppliers.

16. Fi Europe – Food Ingredients Europe — Frankfurt, Germany

• Organizer: Informa Markets
• Next edition: December 2025
• Founded: 1986
• Exhibitors: ≈ 1,500
• Visitors: ≈ 25,000
• Source: Informa Markets – Fi Europe 2024 Audit

Fi Europe sits where food technology meets retail product development.

It is not a consumer show but a B2B ingredient marketplace. Supermarket R&D teams go there to scout texture agents, natural colors and plant proteins.

The 2024 event introduced an expanded Sustainability Theatre spotlighting net-zero formulation strategies.

17. Vitafoods Europe — Barcelona, Spain

• Organizer: Informa Markets
• Next edition: May 2026
• Founded: 1997
• Exhibitors: ≈ 1,400
• Visitors: ≈ 25,000
• Source: Informa Markets – Vitafoods Europe 2025 Visitor Report

Vitafoods focuses on functional foods, nutraceuticals and health ingredients.

Retailers and private-label producers attend to track wellness megatrends, such as collagen beverages, adaptogens and personalized nutrition.

The 2025 edition saw record Asian participation. This confirms that functional nutrition has become a mainstream retail category.

18. THAIFEX – Anuga Asia — Bangkok, Thailand

• Organizer: Department of International Trade Promotion (Thailand), Koelnmesse, and Thai Chamber of Commerce
• Next edition: May 2026
• Founded: 2004
• Exhibitors (2024): ≈ 3,130
• Visitors: ≈ 86,000 from 130 nations
• Source: Koelnmesse Asia – THAIFEX 2024 Consolidated Figures

This joint venture between Thailand and Koelnmesse positions THAIFEX as the key ASEAN trade-only food event.

Supermarket buyers from across Asia use it to source fresh, halal and convenience products.

The 2024 show expanded its Future Food and RetailTech zones. This underscores Asia’s fast-digitizing grocery landscape.

19. SIAL Shanghai — Shanghai, China

• Organizer: Comexposium and Exposium Group China
• Next edition: May 2026
• Founded: 2000
• Exhibitors (2025): ≈ 5,000
• Visitors: ≈ 180,000 trade professionals
• Source: SIAL Shanghai 2025 Preliminary Statement – Comexposium China

SIAL Shanghai has become Asia’s most comprehensive food and beverage sourcing event.

It serves as the bridge between Chinese manufacturers and global retail chains.

Foreign supermarket groups attend to understand China’s product-innovation tempo, from instant meals to AI-enhanced packaging.

20. IFE – International Food & Drink Event — London, United Kingdom

• Organizer: Montgomery Group
• Next edition: March 2026
• Founded: 1985
• Exhibitors (2025): ≈ 1,250
• Visitors: ≈ 27,000 verified trade buyers
• Source: Montgomery Group – IFE 2025 Show Report

IFE is the UK’s largest trade-only food and beverage exhibition and a core part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week.

Attendance is strictly professional. Buyers must show business credentials.

It remains a strong platform for British and Irish producers looking to export post-Brexit. It is also used by supermarkets refreshing their domestic supplier base.

Food and Drink Events 2025–2026 at a glance

Rank	Event	Location	Exhibitors	Visitors	Organizer / Source
1	Anuga	Cologne	7,900	140,000	Koelnmesse – 2025
2	SIAL Paris	Paris	7,400	285,000	Comexposium – 2024
3	Gulfood	Dubai	5,500	144,000	DWTC – 2025
4	PLMA	Amsterdam	3,000	28,000	PLMA – 2025
5	BioFach	Nuremberg	2,350	36,000	NürnbergMesse – 2025
6	ProWein	Düsseldorf	4,200	42,000	Messe Düsseldorf – 2025
7	Bar Convent Berlin	Berlin	560	15,000	RX Global – 2024
8	Expo West	Anaheim	3,200	70,000	Informa – 2025
9	Fancy Food Show	New York	2,600	30,000	Specialty Food Assoc. – 2025
10	Alimentaria	Barcelona	3,200	108,000	Fira de Barcelona – 2024
11	TUTTOFOOD	Milan	4,700	90,000	Fiera Milano – 2025
12	Cibus	Parma	3,000	75,000	Fiere di Parma – 2024
13	IBIE	Las Vegas	1,000	22,000	ABA/BEMA – 2025
14	iba	Düsseldorf	1,000	57,000	GHM – 2023
15	Seafood Expo Global	Barcelona	2,250	35,000	Diversified Comms – 2025
16	Fi Europe	Frankfurt	1,500	25,000	Informa – 2024
17	Vitafoods Europe	Barcelona	1,400	25,000	Informa – 2025
18	THAIFEX – Anuga Asia	Bangkok	3,130	86,000	Koelnmesse Asia – 2024
19	SIAL Shanghai	Shanghai	5,000	180,000	Comexposium China – 2025
20	IFE London	London	1,250	27,000	Montgomery Group – 2025

Together, these 20 trade-only shows represent the global heartbeat of the grocery supply chain.

They are where retailers decide which categories expand, which packaging formats disappear and which suppliers earn long-term shelf space.

In 2025, three clear trends cut across every event:

1. Sustainability and compliance — buyers now demand carbon transparency and traceable sourcing.
2. Technology integration — digital matchmaking, AI product scanning, and data-driven sourcing dominate the show floors.
3. Regionalization of trade — Europe’s giants remain central, but growth energy is shifting toward the Gulf and Asia-Pacific, as seen at Gulfood and THAIFEX.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the largest trade-only food and drink event in the world?

Anuga in Cologne remains the largest trade-only food and beverage exhibition in the world. Its 2025 edition drew about 7,900 exhibitors from 118 countries and about 140,000 visitors from 200 markets.

Which event is best for private label sourcing?

PLMA’s “World of Private Label” in Amsterdam is the leading event for own-brand sourcing. Every major European retailer, from discounters to hypermarkets, attends to scout suppliers for own-brand ranges.

Which food trade event is the largest in the UK?

IFE – International Food & Drink Event in London is the UK’s largest trade-only food and beverage exhibition. Its next edition is in March 2026.

For supermarkets, attending at least one of these exhibitions is no longer optional. It is a prerequisite for staying competitive in the global grocery economy.