Portugal does not run a crowded calendar of food and grocery trade shows.
What it offers instead is a small number of focused events that sit close to real commercial activity.
For supermarket buyers, these events are about sourcing, benchmarking, and understanding supplier depth.
For export-focused suppliers, they are about access, positioning, and testing demand beyond the domestic market.
This guide looks at the five food and grocery trade events in Portugal in 2026 that are actually worth attention.
Not because they are large, but because they connect to retail, wholesale, and export decision-making.
Why Portugal’s Trade Events Matter—Even With Fewer Shows
Portugal’s food industry is highly export-oriented.
Fresh produce, seafood, wine, olive oil, and ambient food categories all rely heavily on external markets.
At the same time, the domestic retail market is concentrated.
Supermarket groups expect suppliers to be prepared, compliant, and commercially realistic.
This combination shapes Portugal’s trade events.
They are:
Less promotional
More business-driven
Often quieter, but more targeted
That makes them useful for:
Retail buyers screening suppliers
Exporters looking for structured access
Private label manufacturers testing relevance
Key Food & Grocery Trade Events in Portugal (2026)
| Event | City | Core Focus | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon Food Affair | Lisbon | Retail, Horeca, food & technology | Retail buyers, brand owners, distributors |
| SISAB Portugal | Lisbon | International food exports | Export-focused suppliers |
| Essência do Vinho – Porto | Porto | Premium wine & gourmet food | Category buyers, premium suppliers |
| AGRO – International Agriculture Fair | Braga | Fresh produce & primary food supply | Growers, produce buyers, cooperatives |
| SAGALEXPO | Lisbon | Regional brands for export markets | International buyers, export suppliers |
1. Lisbon Food Affair
Infographic showing buyer focus, export relevance, and key attendee profiles at Lisbon Food Affair in Lisbon.
City: Lisbon
Core focus: Food & beverage, Horeca, and technology sectors
This is the main flagship food trade event in Portugal.
It brings together:
- FMCG brands
- Foodservice suppliers
- Retail buyers
- Technology and supply chain providers
Buyer relevance
Retail and wholesale buyers attend mainly to:
- Review supplier breadth
- Compare private label capabilities
- Track category trends across ambient, chilled, and frozen food
It is not a listing-driven show.
It is better used for initial screening and relationship building.
Export value
For export-focused suppliers, this event works best if:
- You already export
- You want to strengthen distributor ties
- You want broad market visibility
International attendance is present, but it is not the main focus.
Who should attend
Supermarket category buyers
Private label suppliers
Foodservice wholesalers
Mid-scale FMCG brands
Who should skip
Micro producers looking for immediate export deals
Suppliers without volume or compliance readiness
2. SISAB Portugal (Salão Internacional do Setor Alimentar e Bebidas)
City: Lisbon
Core focus: International food exports
This is the most export-driven food business platform in Portugal.
The structure is designed around:
- International buyers
- Large retail chains
- Pre-arranged B2B meetings
Buyer relevance
Domestic supermarket buyers are less active here.
Attendance is mainly from:
- International importers
- Global distributors
- Export trade representatives
Retail buyers attend selectively and usually by appointment.
Export value
For suppliers focused on exports, this is the strongest platform.
It suits:
- Shelf-stable food
- Branded and private label products
- Suppliers targeting EU and overseas markets
Preparation matters.
Buyers expect:
Clear pricing
Export volumes
Regulatory readiness
Who should attend
Export-focused food producers
Private label manufacturers
Export managers
Who should skip
Suppliers focused only on the Portuguese retail market
Producers without export scale
3. Essência do Vinho – Porto (Wine & Travel Week)
City: Porto
Core focus: Wine, gourmet food, and premium categories
This event has a strong premium category focus.
Wine, high-end food, and regional specialities dominate the floor.
Buyer relevance
Supermarket buyers attend mainly for:
- Wine sourcing
- Premium and seasonal ranges
- Regional differentiation
It is more relevant for:
- Category specialists
- Premium retail formats
Export value
Export value is high in:
- Wine
- Olive oil
- Gourmet and gift categories
International buyers are common, especially from Europe and North America.
Who should attend
Wine producers
Premium food brands
Export-oriented gourmet suppliers
Who should skip
Mass-market FMCG suppliers
Price-led private label producers
4. AGRO – International Agriculture, Livestock and Food Fair
Infographic showing the focus, buyer relevance, and export planning role of AGRO in Braga.
City: Braga
Core focus: Fresh produce and primary food supply
This is the most primary-sector-focused event in the list.
It connects:
- Growers
- Cooperatives
- Livestock producers
- Regional buyers
Buyer relevance
Fresh produce buyers attend to:
- Meet grower groups
- Assess seasonal supply
- Understand regional production strength
It is practical rather than polished.
Export value
Export value exists, but mainly through:
- Cooperative structures
- Long-term supply discussions
- Pre-season planning
This is not a deal-signing show.
It is a relationship and planning platform.
Who should attend
Fresh produce buyers
Grower cooperatives
Export-focused produce suppliers
Who should skip
Processed food manufacturers
Non-agri FMCG brands
5. SAGALEXPO
City: Lisbon
Core focus: Portuguese regional brands for export markets
This is a highly targeted export-focused trade event.
It is built around:
- Regional food producers
- International buyers
- Export-ready brands
Buyer relevance
Domestic retail buyers attend selectively.
Most activity is focused on:
- Foreign supermarket buyers
- Importers
- Specialty distributors
Export value
SAGALEXPO works best for suppliers that:
- Sell authentic Portuguese products
- Target foreign supermarket shelves
- Want fast export-focused meetings
It is efficient and deal-oriented.
Who should attend
Export-ready regional brands
International food buyers
Distributors sourcing Portuguese products
Who should skip
Suppliers focused only on domestic retail
Companies without export documentation
How Supermarket Buyers Should Use These Events
For supermarket buyers, the real value of these events is not in signing deals on the day. It comes from understanding the supplier landscape. Buyers can see how deep each category is, which suppliers are growing, and which ones are struggling to scale.
These events also help buyers understand export pressure on supply. Many Portuguese suppliers sell more outside the country than inside it. Talking directly to them gives buyers a clearer picture of volume availability, seasonal risk, and long-term commitment to the domestic market.
Another key reason to attend is private label capability. Buyers can quickly see which suppliers are set up for retail standards, compliance, and repeat volume, and which ones are still operating at a small or artisanal level.
For buyers, the most useful events are Alimentaria & Horexpo Portugal, Lisbon Food Affair, and Porto Food & Wine Trade Week for specific categories such as wine and premium food. These events attract suppliers who are prepared for retail discussions and understand buyer expectations.
Supermarket buyers should approach these events as working tools. They are best used to gather market intelligence, screen suppliers for future discussions, and strengthen relationships that may turn into listings later, rather than expecting immediate outcomes.
What This list Reveals About Portugal’s Food Trade Landscape
Portugal’s food trade events closely reflect how the country’s food sector works. The industry is strongly export-oriented, but it also understands the needs of domestic retail. As a result, trade shows in Portugal are usually practical and business-focused, rather than highly promotional.
Compared with larger European exhibitions, these events are quieter and more targeted. Suppliers are expected to come prepared, with clear product positioning and realistic commercial expectations. Buyers attend to assess fit, not to be sold to.
Success at these events depends much less on stand size or marketing spend. What matters more is preparation, how well a supplier matches buyer needs, and whether their offer is clear and commercially viable.
For both supermarket buyers and export-focused suppliers, these five events form the core food and grocery trade calendar in Portugal for 2026.
Editor’s Note: This guide is based on observed trade structures, event positioning, and supplier-buyer interaction patterns across Portugal’s food and grocery sector. Inclusion reflects relevance to retail sourcing and export activity, not event size or marketing visibility.
