Updated: January 6, 2021

When talking about global food markets, we need to pay special attention to the international food trade fairs. These large events define the industry and set the pace for the entire year. In fact, many current trends like organic foods and food safety awareness originated as ideas during these expos. Since the industry consists of many sectors, there are expos dedicated specifically to them. For example food processing and packing has its own shows separate from the fairs dedicated to food tasting, cooking equipment and culinary arts. In this article we will explore the latter, so here are the biggest food trade expos in the world.

The Largest Food Trades Fairs in Europe

The Old Continent is famous for its diverse cuisine and constant culinary innovations. Naturally, countries like Germany, Italy and France hold the top international positions when it comes to food production and consumption. If you want to meet the largest companies, explore the newest products and be on track with the best smart solutions in the food sector, you need to visit the following trade fairs.

The International Food & Drink Event - IFE London

The International Food Drink event in London is one of the oldest and largest expos in Europe. Each year the show gets better and better, as the platform brings over 70 talks and lectures, interactive workshops and presentations. You can learn about the latest trends in the food industry and what are the changes in the customers’ requirements and expectations. The 2019 event gathered more than 1200 exhibitors from over 100 countries and was attended by 50 000+ visitors from around the globe.

Anuga, Cologne

Anuga is the largest and most important fair in the food and beverage industry. Everybody who is or wants to be somebody is attending this expo. In 2019, the show had a staggering number of visitors - almost 170 000 and was used as a platform to showcase the products of 7,972 exhibitors from 106 countries. Anuga features many different events, award ceremonies and has specialised zones for startups and trending products. In addition to each edition, the organisers focus on key topics for the industry, offering innovative solutions and valuable insight.

Food Expo Greece

Food Expo Greece is the leading food trade fair in Southeast Europe. Over 70 000 professionals from the F&B sector meet up in Athens every year to exchange ideas, do business and enjoy the exquisite Mediterranian cuisine. The expo features many meetings, degustations and product presentations. In 2019 it was visited by over 70 000 decision making professionals from more than 28 250 businesses. Food Expo Greece is the fastest-growing food show on the planet and is getting better with each new edition.

SIAL Paris

SIAL Paris has a significant impact on the food and beverage industry. Every two years the fair attracts around 7,000 local and international exhibitors and 140,000+ visitors from all parts of the world. The five-day event is the largest exhibition held in the French capital and draws huge media attention. As the food preferences of the consumers change, manufacturers and producers need to stay on track if they want their business to succeed. SIAL Paris features some key events focused on that, including a FUTURE LAB section showcasing what kind of food we might be eating 10 or 15 years from now.

There are many great food expos in Europe and we would like to take a closer look at some of the most influential specialised events on the Old Continent.

BIOFACH, Nürnberg

BIOFACH is the world’s leading expo for organic food and drinks and is held together with the international trade fair for natural and organic personal care VIVANESS. The visitors can attend several events, lectures and meetups. Manufacturers can present their products, explore the newest trends and discover what are the current innovations in the sector. The last edition of the two biggest shows in the organic industry gathered almost 4,000 exhibitors and nearly 50,000 guests from all around the globe.

FRUIT LOGISTICA, Berlin

FRUIT LOGISTICA is the expo to visit if you want to know what are the novelties in the fresh food sector. Close to 3,500 exhibitors and around 73,000 visitors from which 85% international, attend the expo each year. The fair features various events, networking meetups and conferences.

Vitafoods Europe, Geneva

Vitafoods Europe is the global nutraceutical event of the year. 24,000+ industry experts from more than 100 countries attend the expo annually. They do business, visit different conferences and discuss the newest products and ingredient innovations in the health and nutrition branch.

IFFA, Frankfurt

Held at the Frankfurt Messe, IFFA is the world’s leading trade fair for meat and alternative proteins. The expo covers all branches of the industry and annually provides around 1,000 exhibitors with a platform to showcase their produce. Each year the expo gathers 60,000+ professionals, offering them a chance to network and grow their business.

The Biggest Food Expos in Asia

The food and beverage industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in Asia, and China is by far the main income generator. It is estimated the segment will reach a revenue level of US$176,857 million by the end of 2021 . However, the other countries on the continent are gaining friction fast. For example, predicaments show that the annual growth rate of Japan is expected to increase with 9.9% by 2025. The unlimited possibilities the Asian food market holds can be best highlighted during the largest food trade fairs on the continent.

SIAL CHINA

An outlet of SIAL, based in Paris, SIAL CHINA is one of Asia’s most influential trade shows for the food & beverage industry. The last edition gathered 171,595 professional visitors and 4,300 exhibitors from 70 countries . Each year, SIAL CHINA breaks the attendance records of its previous edition, proving the significance of the trade fair for the food market in the region. The participation of key industry players, decision-makers and journalists result in excellent business prospects. Many of the exhibiting companies attend all SIAL events exclusively, and trade visitors will have the chance of doing business with them only during the Chinese edition. The trade fair is held together with the annual SIAL Wine World.

IFE CHINA

The International Food Exhibition in Guangzhou or IFE is the largest food market in China, organised by domestic companies and associations. While connected to the IFE in London, the expo prides itself, as one of the most important trade shows for businesses to establish a foothold in China. With 1,810 exhibitors from 41 countries and areas, and 40 special events , IFE China is setting the stage as one of the most important trade shows in South East Asia. During the exhibition, the main themes are international imported & exported foods, healthy and organic food, cereals and oils machinery. In addition, more than 131,850 dedicated visitors attend IFE, actively looking to expand on the ever-increasing demand of the Chinese food markets. IFE is an important trends venue where more than 820 conference representatives discuss the latest innovations, regulations, safety and food security issues and more.

WorldFood Moscow

WorldFood Moscow is Russia’s leading international food trade fair. It is the place to be for anyone willing to explore the Russian food market. The expo attracts over 1,000 exhibitors and more than 22,000 trade visitors (wholesalers, manufacturers, retailers, etc.) each year. This is due to an increased number of domestic small and medium businesses filling the gap in the demand as well as international companies looking to use the economic situation of the country and establish their brands on the vast Russian food market. Brands from all over the world present a wide range of grocery products, frozen food, confectionery, canned food, oils, fats and sauces, dairy products, meat and poultry, drinks, fish and seafood, fruits and vegetables, tea and coffee, as well as organic foods. Several conferences within the concurrent Food Forum predict future trends and developments in the industry.

Gulfood

Gulfood is not only the largest food and hospitality trade fair in the Middle East but also one of the key business hubs for the industry on a global scale. Based in Dubai, it welcomes 5,000 exhibitors and more than 90,000 visitors from around the world. The event is considered a strategic point for entering a fast-growing market, as it gathers major international companies and presents unique business opportunities. Each edition is accompanied by a series of conferences, revealing the latest challenges and trends in the sector.

Asia has many great food expos, but some have a more significant impact on the market than others. So here are some bonus events that you might want to visit.

FOODEX Japan

FoodEx Japan is the largest event of this sort in the Land of the Rising Sun and among the top biggest food fairs in Asia. In 2019 more than 80 000 trade visitors came to the show and met with 3 316 exhibitors from 94 countries - 33 from Europe, 30 from Asia and Oceania, 15 from Africa, 16 from North and South America. FoodEx Japan is considered a must-attend expo if you want to do a successful business and establish strong connections with the best names in the food industry.

Coex Food Week, Seoul

Supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Coex Food Week is considered "the core food exhibition in the region." The show offers valuable business opportunities and gives a platform for all specialists in the sector to meet up and exchange insight. Last year's event gathered 872 exhibitors from which ¼ were from abroad and had over 44 000 international and local visitors . Coex Food Week features various events from degustations and presentations of new products to lectures and networking meetups.

THAIFEX-World of Food Asia

Based in Bangkok, Thailand, this food trade fair is dubbed, as a trampoline into the Asian markets. THAIFEX is focused on the Retail & Franchise sector of the food industry, and many big international businesses and brands frequent the event. The 2020 expo was organised with Anuga and as expected had massive success. The hybrid fair had both in-person and online events and was attended by more than 21,000 professional buyers and 700+ exhibitors. In addition, the platform offered 433 virtual meetings that lasted for 216 hours in total.

Must-attend Food Trade Shows in North America

The US is the largest producer and consumer on the continent and one of the biggest players on the international food market. Historically speaking, the New World had a major impact on the development and growth of the sector. Learn more about the history of the food industry and how trade fairs were born in our separate article. But now let’s check the biggest North American expos.

Americas Food and Beverage Show, Miami

The Americas Food and Beverage Show is the place to be if you want to sample a big selection of food and beverages and meet the biggest names in the industry in the two continents. The event gathers suppliers, distributors, sellers, producers, importers, exporters, etc. from all across the Americas and attracts large international attention. Around 45% of all exhibitors and guests are from North America, 40% from Latin America and the Caribbean and 15% from Europe, Africa and Asia.

SIAL Canada

The biggest North American food-innovation trade show is held annually in Toronto, Canada. The expo features not only amazing new foods, but it also allows taking a look at the latest trends and market forecasts. SIAL Canada attracts over 25 000 professional visitors and above 600 international and local exhibitors . During the expo 1500+ international buyer meetings take place offering rare learning and business opportunities.

IFT Food Expo

IFT Food Expo is the premier international platform for food science and technology. The show welcomes over 1000 exhibiting companies and more than 17,000 professional visitors from all around the world , gathering here to find the latest in food ingredients, packaging, processing and equipment. IFT Food Expo brings together decision-makers, suppliers and experts in R&D, quality assurance, business development, as well as government, academia and media representatives. The three days of the fair are packed with special events and activities – courses, exhibits, networking, planning and product development sessions. What sets IFT Food Expo apart from other trade fair events in the sector is the big focus on the newest science discoveries concerning the industry, their practical application, all trends and innovations in areas like food safety, processing and packaging, and sustainability.

Largest Food Expos in South America

South America is agricultural heaven, as it has the perfect conditions for producing a variety of products. Not to mention a lot of its potential is still not fully utilised. The food industry is a vital source of income for almost all countries on the continent. And the food trade fairs are a valuable tool for attracting international investors and potential business partners and generating innovative technologies and solutions. Check out our list with the biggest and most significant international shows for the food processing and packaging industry, if you want to learn about the booming South American economy.

Fispal Food Service: International Food Service Trade Show, São Paulo

Fispal Food Service is the biggest food trade show in Latin and South America. Professionals and food-lovers from over 34 countries visit each year the show to mingle with the biggest names in the region and enjoy tasty cuisines. In 2019 the expo had 57,300+ visitors from over 34 countries from whom 90% were decision-making buyers or influencers. With 470+ exhibitors and over 1800 brands , the event is definitely a must-attend if you want to do business in this part of the world. Moreover, 75% of the people that visit the fair say Fispal Food Service “is the best event in the industry.”

Expoalimentaria, Peru

Expoalimentaria is one of the most important events in South America as it gathers professional buyers from all sectors of the food and beverage industry. The fair focuses on networking and showcasing the novelties in the branch. Around 560 exhibitors present their products in front of nearly 2,200 international buyers. Just for 2019, the show has accumulated over US$ 830 million in negotiated amounts .

Bio Brazil Fair

Bio Brazil is South America’s leading trade fair for organic foods and drinks. It is co-hosted with another expo from the organic industry - Naturaltech. Both shows host more than 40,000 international and local visitors. The events showcase over 1200 product launches and give a platform to 500+ exhibitors. The expos create a rare opportunity to meet and experience some of the finest bio foods, beverages and non-edible organic produce the South American market has to offer.

The Most Significant Food Fairs in Africa

Africa’s booming agricultural industry and fast-growing economy create the perfect business opportunities for local and international investors. The fast-developing market is strongly backed up by many large food trade fairs that serve as a meeting platform for professionals from all across the globe.

Africa's Big 7, Johannesburg

Africa’s Big 7 is the largest food trade fair on the continent. This annual event is the meeting point between all food-related companies in Africa and the international buyers, distributors, importers, exporters, sellers and investors. You can check out the latest products, the current trends and learn about the specific customer requirements. If you want to be successful in the African food market, you must get a pass for this show. Held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg the fair attracts professionals from over 60 countries each year.

Food Africa Cairo

Food Africa Cairo is a fast-growing agro-food trade fair gaining popularity and establishing itself as one of the most important on the continent. Producers, buyers, dealers and all types of professionals gather in Cairo to meetup and benefit from the huge opportunities the Egyptian market has to offer. The growing agricultural sector in Africa attracts thousands of international participants. In 2019 the expo welcomed over 21,000 visitors and 400+ exhibitors from 32 countries . The show features different platforms that showcase various aspects of the industry with the Dates of Africa being the latest edition. The segment focuses on the fast-growing dates industry and what it can offer in terms of investment and business development.

Morocco Food Expo

Morocco Food Expo co-located with Siema is one of the major shows in North Africa. The event attracts more than 6,000 professional visitors from 20 different countries and representatives from 220 local and international brands. The 3 main features of the expo are the conferences, the B2B meetings and the live food presentations. If you want to expand your business network, find new partners and discover the marketing potential of the food industry in Africa, this is the place to visit.

The Largest Food Trade Expos in Australia

The food industry is a major sector in the Land Down Under. According to recent reports the food and beverage market is expected to reach $4,459million by the end of 2021. This makes the country a desired destination for all professionals in the business seeking to expand their reach. Naturally, Australia has some of the largest food trade fairs on the globe. Here is what you don’t want to miss.

Fine Food Australia

Fine Food Australia is the leading food trade fair on the continent. During its 36-year history, the event has attracted thousands of exhibitors and visitors. It covers every aspect of the food industry and culinary world. You can find both local and international ingredients. Held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney, the trade fair hosted 24,000 visitors and 1,000 exhibiting companies in 2019.

Food and Wine Expo

This 3-day spectacular event showcasing the best local and international cuisines is held at 3 separate locations throughout the year - Brisbane, Canberra and the Gold Cost. The fairs are packed with celebrity guests, cook ups and tastings. Over 300 exhibitors and thousands of guests visit the expos in search of the most beneficial business deals, the best-tasting food, exotic and unusual ingredients and first-class wine selection.

Good Food & Wine Show

The Good Food & Wine Show is an annual event held in the 4 major cities of the continent - Sydney, Melbourn, Brisbane and Perth. The expos offer an international platform for exhibitors, local producers and world-renowned cooks to present their products and skills. People from all over the world come to the fairs to network and discover new tastes. The last edition of the fairs gathered over 120,000 visitors combined and hosted some of the most popular international celebrity chefs.

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