Cologne, Germany — ISM Cologne 2026 will take place from 1 to 4 February, bringing together the global sweets and snacks industry at one of the sector’s most important trade platforms. The event will host manufacturers, suppliers, and retail buyers from across international markets, with a strong focus on new confectionery products, snack innovation, and category development for the year ahead.
Held in Germany’s largest trade exhibition hub, ISM Cologne is positioned as a central meeting point for companies operating in chocolate, sugar confectionery, biscuits, cereal snacks, trend snacks, and functional sweets. Industry participants are expected to use the show to present new product concepts, packaging ideas, and ingredient solutions designed for modern retail shelves.
The 2026 edition will also expand its upstream supply chain presence with a stronger focus on ingredients and semi-finished products. This move reflects growing demand from manufacturers for better access to raw material innovation, reformulation solutions, and production efficiency tools.
Alongside finished product launches, ISM Cologne will once again attract supermarket buyers, wholesalers, private label sourcing teams, and international distributors looking to secure new supplier partnerships and preview upcoming snack category trends.
With rising pressure on costs, sustainability requirements, and shifting consumer preferences, the event is expected to play a key role in shaping how snack assortments develop across European and global retail markets in 2026.
Why It Matters
For supermarkets and food retailers, ISM Cologne acts as an early indicator of what will reach store shelves later in the year. As part of Germany’s most influential German trade events calendar, the show gives retail buying teams early access to new product launches and supplier innovation.
Snack categories remain among the fastest-moving areas in grocery retail. Buyers use ISM to assess new flavors, healthier recipe options, portion-controlled formats, and premium gifting products. It is also a major sourcing platform for private label confectionery and snack suppliers.
From a supply chain perspective, the growing ingredient and packaging focus highlights how manufacturers are adapting to sustainability targets, cost efficiency demands, and regulatory pressure. Retailers benefit from early visibility into these changes, allowing better long-term assortment planning.
For suppliers, ISM Cologne provides direct access to international buyers and purchasing groups, making it one of the most important annual deal-making environments for the global sweets and snacks sector.
Editor’s Note: This article is based on official event information published by the ISM Cologne organisers.
