Globally, food and beverage (F&B) industry trade shows have a rich history. The London Crystal Palace hosted the inaugural World Food Fair in 1851. Numerous other fairs in Europe and America from the 20th century have also taken off and resonated worldwide. Some examples are the 1904 fair in St. Louis, USA, and the 1919 exhibition in Anuga Cologne, etc.
These fairs continue to serve as the cornerstone for the growth of the business-to-business (B2B) market, in addition to being the birthplace of numerous culinary and beverage innovations.
Here are all of the major trade exhibitions that FnB companies just can’t afford to miss:
Food and beverage industry trade shows are an integral part of the global FnB industry
Anuga Cologne – A Biennial Behemoth of the F&B World
Anuga Cologne is the largest FnB trade fair in the world. Every two years, Anuga Cologne will be held at Koelnmesse Fair Grounds, Cologne in October. The last edition was held in October 2023.
Anuga Cologne, the long-standing F&B exhibition in Germany
A Gathering of Giants
Anuga Cologne is extremely astonishing in its sheer scale. A whopping 7,400 exhibitors from more than 180 nations showcased their goods to an enormous audience of more than 170,000 trade visitors during the most recent edition in 2023. Its worldwide reach promotes unparalleled networking opportunities and eases trade across countries.
An Innovative Legacy
Anuga Cologne has a rich and extensive past, having started in 1919 with only 200 domestic exhibitors. It has developed into a globally recognized trade exhibition that is purposefully conducted every two years to highlight the most recent developments in the food and beverage sector.
Target industries and Selling points
Anuga Cologne covers the whole F&B spectrum, but it deftly divides its products into 10 niche trade exhibitions that are all housed under one roof. This enables a focused investigation for both guests and exhibitors.
| Target Industries | Fine Food | Features premium foods such as organic produce, gourmet cuisine, and delicatessen items |
| Meat | Dedicated the meat sector, including technologies for slaughtering and processing as well as fresh and processed foods | |
| Dairy | Highlights milk, cheese, yogurt, and dairy substitutes | |
| Drinks | Provides bottling and packaging services, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages | |
| Frozen Food & Ice Cream products | An extensive range of frozen meals, veggies, meats and ice cream | |
| Bread & Baking | Highlights ingredients, tools, and completed baked foods, focusing on the baking sector | |
| Hot beverages | including tea, coffee and cocoa | |
| Organic & Natural | This category focuses on organic and natural food products | |
| Equipment and techniques for the catering and food services industries | ||
| Trade publications, associations, organizations, services, and IT | ||
| Selling Points | Anuga provides a venue for exhibiting real food items, ingredients, kitchenware, and inventions. Genuine contacts are forged there, which result in profitable transactions and alliances. | |
Target Market
Anuga focuses on decision-makers in the beverage trade, cooperatives, and wholesale and retail food providers to the food sector; markets outside the house (hotels, restaurants, caterers; technical infrastructure and equipment acquisition and planning a canteen kitchen and specialized trade.
Anuga Cologne stands as a beacon of innovation and connection for the global food and beverage industry. Whether seeking to expand market reach, discover new technologies, or simply stay ahead of the curve, Anuga Cologne proves to be an indispensable resource for those shaping the future of food.
Gulfood – The crucial FnB event in Dubai
Gulfood Dubai is the most important FnB Trade Show in the Middle East. It is held every year at the Dubai World Trade Center, UAE. It lasts for about four to five days and occurs at the end of February every year.
Gulfood is the largest food and beverage fair in the Middle East
Numbers that Impress
Gulfood’s sheer size is astounding. Attracting over 5,500 top F&B firms, the 2024 edition was the largest in its history and featured an astounding 150,000+ new goods from 190 countries. This results in a genuinely worldwide reach that creates previously unheard-of relationships and opportunities.
A Storied Legacy
Gulfood has a long and illustrious history that began in 1987. With just 65 exhibitors from 13 nations at first, it was a small affair that quickly grew to become the world’s largest trade show for food and drink.
Target industries and selling points
Gulfood caters to the entire F&B spectrum, encompassing a diverse range of industries within its vast exhibition halls. Numerous important product categories in the food and beverage industry are the focus of Gulfood Fair.
| Target Industries | Meat and products made using meat processing |
| Dairy items include cheese, butter, yogurt, and milk | |
| Goods made from starch and grains | |
| Vegan, organic, and processed foods, etc | |
| Oils and fats such as vegetable-based nuts and oils, animal fats, and ghee | |
| Beverages like fresh, instant, or canned beverages | |
| Supply chain management, ingredients, processing, packaging, and automation | |
| Selling Points | B2B transactions, and contracts on Gulfood Connect |
| Product launches, in which businesses bring brand-new items to the public | |
| Professionals in the industry network to share ideas and look for joint ventures. |
Gulfood is essentially a worldwide platform that brings together the F&B industry to communicate, innovate, and drive business success. It goes beyond simply being a trade fair.
Thaifex Anuga: An Entryway to the F&B Superpower of Southeast Asia
Thailand Food Exhibition, or THAIFEX – Anuga Asia, is a major event organized by Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion every year. It is held in May every year, at Impact Challenger Area, Bangkok.
Many well-known names come to THAIFEX, which is SEA’s biggest food and beverage event
Brief History
Beginning in 1991, the exhibition’s concept was refined in 2003 to become more globally applicable in close collaboration with the Thailand Chamber of Commerce and Koelnmesse, two important partner organizations. In less than thirty years, the event has gained international recognition as the largest and most comprehensive food and beverage fair in Asia, both among the food and beverage sectors and allied businesses.
Outstanding Figures
Thaifex Anuga’s immense scope is indicative of its significance. More than 3,100 exhibitors from an astounding 52 countries and territories participated in the most recent edition (2024). With over 85,800 attendees from an astounding 131 nations, this stellar roster demonstrated the show’s enormous reach and capacity to promote global relationships.
Target industries and Selling points
Within the F&B industry, Thaifex Anuga serves a wide range of industries, with a particular emphasis on Southeast Asia’s emerging culinary scene, with 9 highly segmented industries:
| Target industries | Drinks | Extensive selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage suppliers |
| Fine Food | Source delicatessen, gourmet and fine food & beverages here | |
| Food Technology | Food processing and packaging equipment to enhance operational efficiency | |
| Frozen Food | Focuses on the fast-growing segment of convenience foods | |
| Fruits & Vegetables | Wide variety of natural and organic, imported and locally sourced products. | |
| Meat | Covers both unprocessed and convenience meat products, and more | |
| Rice | New and staple varietals to meet changing consumer palates | |
| Seafood | Expansive sourcing opportunities to meet the rising tides of global demand | |
| Sweets & Confectionery | The latest innovations in the dessert and sweets market | |
| Selling points | Authentic food products | |
| Ingredients | ||
| Culinary equipment | ||
| Innovations | ||
| Facilitating business deals and partnerships | ||
All things considered, THAIFEX – Anuga Asia is an essential event for industry experts. Is the meeting point for Southeast Asia and global food and beverage communities. THAIFEX – Anuga defines the future of the sector.
SIAL Paris: The Global Hub for Food Innovation
SIAL Paris is a well-known trade event in France and one of Europe’s largest in the F&B industry. SIAL Paris is held in October every year, at the Paris Nord Villepinte.
SIAL Paris, brings together many large businesses in Europe and globally
Impressive Scale and Worldwide Reach
The 2023 SIAL Paris edition cemented its standing as a major international event. A record-breaking 160,000 guests from all around the world attended the event, which featured over 7,000 exhibitors showcasing their products from an amazing 120 countries. This enormous reach highlights SIAL Paris’s capacity to build relationships and advance innovation globally.
On a bigger scale, SIAL Pais 2024 will take place in October of this year.
An Innovative Legacy
SIAL Paris has an extensive background that dates back to 1964. It began as the Salon International de l’Alimentation and has since grown to become the world’s premier exhibition for food innovation.
Target industries and Selling points
SIAL Paris explores every facet of the food and beverage sector, with an emphasis on innovative developments and emerging trends:
The core of SIAL Paris is food innovation, which features cutting-edge ideas, unusual ingredients, and environmentally friendly food solutions.
| Target industries | Finished Food Products | A large selection of packaged and prepared foods are offered, with a focus on creative and health-conscious options |
| Drinks | New and innovative trends in the beverage industry are showcased by both established and up-and-coming beverage firms in this show | |
| Foodservice & Retail | A major area of focus is providing solutions for grocery stores, restaurants, and other foodservice enterprises | |
| Selling Points | Networking | A global platform for connecting with key contacts |
| Innovation | Showcasing groundbreaking products and concepts | |
| Sustainability | Spotlighting eco-friendly practices | |
| Tech Trends | Exploring alternative proteins and food technologies |
Market Objective
International businesses at the forefront of food innovation are the main focus of SIAL Paris, including:
- Food and drink entrepreneurs as well as well-known brands
- food technology businesses
- Producers of sustainable food; suppliers of ingredients with creative ideas
- Technology firms for food packaging and processing
- In addition, the event draws a sizable number of foreign investors, distributors, and purchasers who are looking for the newest developments and trends in food.
SIAL Paris stands as a testament to the global power of food, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts to celebrate culinary excellence and drive the future of food.
Alimentaria (Spain): A Tradition of Gastronomic Treats
Alimentaria is one of the largest FnB trade shows in Europe. In March every year, the trade show is held at the Gran Via Venue in Barcelona, Spain.
Alimentaria attracts 4,500 exhibitors and 140,000 visits every year
Brief history
Alimentaria, a premier trade fair for the Mediterranean and Southern European markets, was founded in 1966 and has a long history of success. In recent years, it has grown to become a major event for the food and beverage sector, drawing in over 4,500 exhibitors and 140,000 attendees.
Target Industries
Alimentaria serves a broad range of F&B industries, including well-known companies presenting their most recent products and up-and-coming companies trying to make a name for themselves. The event features a wide variety of items, from cured meats and fresh produce to olive oils and cutting-edge food technology solutions.
Selling Points
International F&B firms can benefit from a number of different ways by taking part in Alimentaria.
- Gain entry to a vital European market that is ideally situated as a point of entry into the Mediterranean and Southern Europe.
- Diverse Audience: Present your goods to a wide range of distributors, purchasers, and foodservice industry experts.
- Networking Hub: Make insightful connections with leaders in the field, possible collaborators, and influential decision-makers.
Target Market
Participating in Alimentaria will be extremely beneficial for foreign food and beverage firms looking to increase their presence in Europe, especially those aiming to reach the Mediterranean and Southern European markets.
For foreign food and beverage firms looking to grow into Southern Europe and the Mediterranean, Alimentaria provides a strategic platform that allows them to showcase their products, network with industry professionals, and keep ahead of culinary trends.
FHC Shanghai Global Food Show: Expanding The Eastern Market (Shanghai, China)
Despite its short history of less than 30 years, the FHC Shanghai Global Food Showquickly gained global popularity among F&B businesses.
FHC China, the leading FnB event in China, helps businesses expand into the Asian market
A short history
Since its founding in 1995, FHC Shanghai Global Food Show has grown to become a complete showcase for China’s rapidly changing food and beverage and hospitality industries. In the most recent trade show, over 8,000 exhibitors and 150,000 attendees have demonstrated the event’s expanding popularity.
Target Industries
The whole food and hospitality spectrum is included in FHC Shanghai. It serves businesses that deal with materials, food items that are finished, drinks, equipment for food processing and packaging, technology for food service, and hospitality solutions.
Selling Points
International F&B enterprises have a special opportunity to participate in FHC China.
- Take advantage of the huge and dynamic Chinese market, which has a huge consumer base and room to grow.
- Make connections with a vast array of business experts, such as distributors, purchasers, and possible partners.
- Find out which innovative ideas and trends are reshaping the F&B industry in China by using trend spotting.
Target Market
Exhibiting at FHC Shanghai will be extremely beneficial for foreign food and beverage firms hoping to grow their clientele in China or break into the Chinese market.
International F&B companies may access industry professionals, identify trends, and position themselves for success in this dynamic market by using FHC Shanghai as a doorway to the large Chinese market.
World Food Moscow: An Interconnection with the CIS Area (Moscow, Russia)
F&B businesses in Europe, particularly in Russia and the CIS region, cannot afford to ignore World Food Moscow. This is an annual Trade Show held in October at the Crocus Expo in Moscow.
Russia’s premier food and beverage expo, Worldfood Moscow, is held annually in the country
A Storied Legacy
Since its founding in 1992, Worldfood Moscow has developed into Russia’s and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) premier food and beverage show. Past iterations have drawn over 30,000 attendees and 1,600 exhibitors, offering a vibrant forum for foreign businesses to engage with local distributors and customers.
Target Industries
Although offering a wide variety of F&B items, Worldfood Moscow presents a special chance for businesses that cater to the dietary requirements and preferences of the Russian and CIS markets. This covers traditional culinary items, regionally derived ingredients, and food service options catered to local needs.
Points of sale
Taking part at Worldfood Moscow has various advantages:
- Get into a market that shows promise and where there is a growing need for premium food and drink items.
- To increase your presence in Russia and the CIS, get in touch with reputable regional distributors and buyers.
- Learn important information about regional consumer preferences and discover possible product modifications for the market.
Target Market
Worldfood Moscow is a useful platform for foreign food and beverage firms who want to grow into Russia and the CIS, especially those that have goods that suit local dietary preferences and tastes.
Worldfood Moscow provides a valuable platform for foreign food and beverage firms looking to develop into Russia and the CIS. It offers contacts, market information, and the ability to customize offerings to suit local tastes.
Summer Fancy Food Show: A Launchpad for Specialty Treats
The annual Summer Fancy Food Show in New York is a great B2B market for companies entering the US food and beverage market. It is held in June every year, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.
Summer Fancy Food Show helps F&B businesses expand the American market
An Immense Heritage
With a long history that dates back to 1951, the Specialty Food Association’s Summer Fancy Food Show is a staple event. It has made a name for itself as North America’s top exhibit for specialized foods and drinks.
Magnificent Trace
A remarkable 80,000 people attended recent editions of the show, which demonstrated its enormous reach and capacity to bring together buyers and sellers in the specialty food sector. Over 2,500 exhibitors participated in these events.
Emphasizing Distinction
The Summer Fancy Food Show exclusively serves businesses that specialize in premium, cutting-edge, and distinctive food and beverage goods. The show highlights the diversity and quality found in the specialty food industry, showcasing everything from artisanal cheeses and handcrafted chocolates to gourmet coffee blends and exotic spices.
Important Selling Elements for Global Players
Summer Fancy Food Show will provide opportunities for exhibitors in a variety of formats and activities.
- Introduce cutting-edge goods to a large pool of prospective buyers.
- Identifying emerging trends and consumer preferences in the North American market
- Increase brand recognition in the ever-changing specialized food market in North America.
- Create lasting relationships with business leaders and possible collaborators.
Market Objective
Summer Fancy Food Show’s market objective focuses on catering to a diverse array of niche producers and manufacturers in the food and beverage industry. This includes producers of specialty foods such as handcrafted sauces, gourmet chocolates, cured meats, cheeses, and unusual snacks, as well as manufacturers of specialty beverages like premium coffee blends, artisanal wines, craft brews, and innovative non-alcoholic drinks. Additionally, they aim to serve providers of specialty ingredients, including exotic fruits, unique spices, and others.
The Summer Fancy Food Show is an ideal platform for international companies seeking to establish a strong presence in the lucrative North American specialty food market.
Other trade shows and F&B networks to keep in mind
In addition to the major FnB trade shows mentioned above, beverage businesses may be interested in the following smaller-scale exhibition events in the region:
Canton Fair, China (Guangzhou)
The Canton Fair, which takes place in Guangzhou, China every two years, is a massive international trade exhibition that features a wide range of goods from many different industries, including food and beverage.
This exhibition fair in Guangzhou is a destination not to be missed by Asian F&B businesses
With a long history that dates back to 1957, the Canton Fair has made a name for itself as a top sourcing location for buyers from around the world looking for a wide range of products. With more than 200,000 exhibitors and millions of attendees from throughout the globe, the event offers businesses a unique opportunity to establish connections with prospective partners and broaden their market reach.
CIIE (Shanghai, China)
Every year, Shanghai, China hosts the China International Import Expo (CIIE), which has grown to be a major occasion for international trade. With an emphasis on import-oriented trade, CIIE offers foreign businesses looking to launch their goods on the sizable and vibrant Chinese market a remarkable chance.
The event attracts a global audience of buyers, distributors, and industry professionals and features a wide selection of items from several sectors, including food and beverage.
World of Private Label Amsterdam (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
The Private Label Industry Amsterdam is a yearly event that primarily serves the expanding private label market and is hosted in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Retailers, brands, and distributors looking for creative and affordable private label solutions in a variety of categories, including food and beverage, come together for this event.
Exhibitors provide a wide selection of private label solutions for discriminating clients, showcasing their skills in product creation, manufacturing, and packaging.
Fine Food Australia (Melbourne, Australia)
Fine Food Australia, held annually in Melbourne, Australia, stands as a premier food and beverage trade show for the Asia-Pacific region.
Fine Food Australia is the leading destination for food and beverage businesses targeting the Australian market
This event showcases premium and specialty food and beverage products from Australia and around the world, attracting a targeted audience of trade buyers from Australia, New Zealand, and the broader Asia-Pacific region.
Exhibitors have the opportunity to present their finest culinary creations to industry experts and potential partners, establishing a strong presence in this dynamic market.
SIAL Network: An International Culinary Excellence Network
The global network of food and beverage trade exhibitions known as SIAL Network includes SIAL India, SIAL Canada, SIAL Paris, SIAL China, and SIAL Interpack. Every event presents a different angle on the local food and beverage scene and gives businesses a wide range of opportunities to network with partners and potential clients in a variety of markets. Industry experts from all around the world are drawn to the SIAL network because it provides a plethora of networking opportunities and trends insights.
Anuga Network: A Whole Foods & Drinks Experience
A digital platform called Anuga Network (Anuga App) was created by Anuga, one of the top trade shows for the food and beverage (FnB) business worldwide. This platform was developed to facilitate information sharing and the development of collaborations between companies, suppliers, and industry experts.
Three months before the fair, the application will go live, giving exhibitors easy access to all information and a means of interacting with all of the brands and professionals in attendance. The app is the ideal partner for the fair.
Conclusion
By participating in food and beverage industry trade shows, beverage companies can effectively market their brands, establish connections with a diverse array of B2B prospects, and acquire valuable insights into the industry. It is our hope that the information provided will be beneficial to your enterprises in the efforts to identify potential markets.
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