In the 21st century, the food industry can’t function without the processing and packaging sector. An ever-increasing percentage of goods are shipped across the globe daily, and without sufficient packaging and processing, the final product won’t be safe for consumption.

Unique solutions and new technologies must be developed and used to ensure consumers will receive quality food ingredients. Some of the emerging innovations include non-destructive food analysis, grain, fruits, and vegetable products processing, non-thermal technologies and others.

And what a better place to present those discoveries and new methods than international food packaging and processing trade fairs. They are among the largest and most significant expos globally, attracting hundreds of thousands of exhibitors, technology innovators and visitors year after year. Knowledge transfer and business networking play an essential role, as well. Regulations, new standards, management of eating disorders and food allergies and intolerance solutions are some of the topics discussed during the big industry trade shows.

The Largest Food Packaging and Processing Trade Shows in Europe

Some of the biggest food packaging and processing trade shows are held on the Old Continent, gathering visitors and exhibitors from around the world.

Anuga FoodTec

The international F&B industry meets up every three years during the Anuga FoodTec fair in Cologne, Germany. More than 50,000 trade visitors from 155 countries gather for four busy days, informing themselves about the latest developments in the food processing, packaging, safety, ingredients and services & solution sectors, which are represented by over 1,600 exhibitors. The trade fair showcases all technologies related to meat, dairy produce, drinks, frozen goods, bakery products and basic foodstuffs. As the leading global expo for the food production industry, Anuga FoodTec is a key driver for innovation. The upcoming show will be held under the guiding theme of “Smart Solutions - Higher Flexibility." It will feature different approaches for optimising the processes, environmentally and climate-friendly packaging solutions and more.

ALL4PACK EMBALLAGE PARIS

ALL4PACK EMBALLAGE PARIS, previously called Emballage, is one of the key international packaging exhibitions. Every two years, the event gathers the biggest names in the industry from food and beverage to consumer goods and luxury products. The trade fair is held at Paris-Nord Villepinte Parc d'Expositions et Centre de Conventions (VIPARIS) together with Manutention handling exhibition and partners with several other packaging shows, namely PackPlus India and Middle East Pack. The organisers report stellar results during the latest editions of All4Pack. More than 79,000 trade visitors, 35% of whom from abroad took part in the expo in 2018. Over 75% of them were actively looking to expand their business during the event. In addition, 36% stated they didn't visit any other trade show. A highlight of the event is the Objective Zero Impact space designed to showcase startups and innovations in the industry. But that is not all, more than 1100 business meetings have been conducted in 4 days. All4Pack is the place to be if you want to succeed in the food packing and processing industry.

FachPack Nuremberg

FachPack is the European trade fair for packaging, technology, processing and logistics. From packaging materials, machinery and printing to logistics systems and services – FachPack covers it all. As many as 1,600 exhibitors and 45,000 trade visitors are attending each edition of the exhibition. The largest proportion of these generally come from central European countries. FachPack is the ideal platform for showcasing customized solutions, as many decision-makers are looking for such products, as well as long term business relationships.

Interpack Dusseldorf

Interpack is the world’s most important trade fair for the packaging sector and related process industries, as it gathers the largest crowd of professionals, investors and buyers in the world.. It is characterised by an outstanding atmosphere among the approximately 2,800 exhibitors and 170,000 visitors from 60 different countries. The fair is held every three years at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Center. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the event is postponed, for now, since many of the events it features can’t be held online.

Asian Food Packaging and Food Processing Trade Fairs with Big Impact on the Industry

The food sector is a massive market, accumulating billions every year. Each trade fair increases the chances for larger profits and the development of new business alliances. If you want to learn more about the history of the food industry, what events shaped it and how expos were born, we have made a comprehensive and interesting article on the topic. But now, let’s check some of the most significant fairs for the global food processing and packing branch.

Gulfood Manufacturing

Gulfood Manufacturing is the premium platform for the food and beverage processing industry in the MEASA region. This branch is the largest manufacturing sector in the UAE in terms of turnover and employment, making the trade fair extremely important for the entire region. Over 1600 renowned companies exhibit their latest products. Over 30 000 industry professionals participate each year, in search of new equipment and ingredients, advanced packaging and transport solutions. Gulfood Manufacturing 2019 brought together leaders from all F&B sectors, thus presenting invaluable opportunities to reduce costs, discover quality improvement strategies, and expand to new markets. The innovative Food Factory of the Future is one of the most anticipated highlights of the trade fair, as it will allow a look into a cleaner, more efficient and sustainable manufacturing environment.

PackPlus India

Pack Plus is the largest trade show for the food packing industry in India. Held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, the expo gathers thousands of specialists and buyers from all over the world to showcase the newest trends and technologies in the industry. Organisers report that the last edition was attended by over 20 800 visitors. On the other hand, 393 local and international exhibitors presented their products, from which 187 were there for the first time. The overall satisfaction levels were around 90%, as the majority of people stated they would come back to the show in the future.

Food Pack Asiа, Bangkok

Food Pack Asia is one of the biggest trade fairs for food and beverage processing machines and packaging in Thailand. Held at the BITEC Exhibition Centre in Bangkok, it attracts hundreds of professionals each year. The show hosts around 350 local and foreign exhibitors and welcomes more than 30,000 annually. The event’s main focus is on learning and business matchmaking, and as such, prepare for 4 days of seminars, conferences and meetups.

You may notice that we didn’t include China in this list and with good reason. It is not only the biggest producer in Asia but with a GDP of around $13.37 trillion, it is the second-largest national economy in the world. So naturally, the Chinese trade fairs are some of the biggest on the globe and demand special attention.

The Biggest Food Packaging and Food Processing Trade Expos in China

China is experiencing increasing demands in proper processing and packaging due to the modern Chinese consumers’ growing standards for quality and hygiene of the food. With authorities currently revising safety laws for stricter compliance and implementation, the food processing and packaging industry in China is compelled to upgrade its equipment by investing in advanced technologies.

IFPE at IFE – China

IFPE is organised by China Food Packaging and Machinery Industry Association (CFPMA) which is a nation-wide industrial association. The expo focuses on assisting overseas companies finding distributors and agents to understand the market in China. The last edition has a total of 1810 exhibitors from which 686 were from abroad. More than 131,800 dedicated trade visitors are attending IFPE in Guangzhou, with nearly 60% of them coming from outside Guangdong province or from abroad. If you wish to enter the Chinese market successfully, you must participate in IFPE.

SWOP - Shanghai World of Packaging

SWOP displays the latest on food processing, packaging technology, automated/smart solutions, food safety and other related areas. The expo offers an opportunity to follow the latest Chinese government regulations and policies on the food industry with the help of the China Center for Food and Drug International Exchange (CCFDIE). The 2019 fair was held at SNIEC – Shanghai New International Expo Center and gathered 701 exhibitors and more than 25,100 domestic and foreign visitors.

Sino-Pack Guangzhou

China International Exhibition on Packaging Machinery & Materials, known as Sino-Pack, is one of the specialised packaging trade fairs. The event is held at China Import and Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou and welcomes more than 600 exhibitors. Sino-Pack specialises in three sectors - equipment and products, liquid packaging and logistics and end-product packaging, covering the most important elements of the value chain of the industry. While the exhibition showcases buyers from all branches, the food & beverage and related sectors are heavily represented during the event. The last edition hosted over 81,500 visitors including 130 international delegations formed by global enterprises and trade associations.

The Largest Food Processing and Packing Shows in the Americas

North and South America own the leading positions when it comes to packaging and processing food products. Some of the biggest corporations and industrial giants have their headquarters in the US. If you want to succeed and conquer the global food markets, you need to attend the biggest food trade fairs held in the Americas.

Expo Pack, Mexico

Held in Mexico City, it is the largest event in the food processing and packing industry in Latin America. Expo Pack is a must-attend trade fair if you want to enter the market in this region. The last edition of the fair gathered around 700 exhibitors from 40 countries and 17,000 professional visitors from the industry. The event features a plethora of different lectures and meetups, tech presentations and conferences. If you want to learn the latest innovations in the food processing and packing sector in this region and explore its business opportunities, Expo Pack is for you.

PACK EXPO

PACK EXPO is the most important packaging trade show in the USA. During the event, many exhibitors present their latest machinery, technology and materials to an exclusive audience. The organisers report that more than 68% of the visitors attend no other show making Pack Expo a must-attend venue for companies looking to expand into the US market. In addition, it is the only expo for food processing and packaging promoted by the U.S. Commercial Service International Buyer Program. Visitors come from more than 130 countries around the world. The majority of them are dedicated to decision-makers and looking to develop new relationships with vendors. The food packaging sector of Pack Expo attracts over 43,000 trade visitors each year. The 2018 edition of the event gathered over 2500 domestic and foreign exhibitors.

PackEx Toronto

Canada’s most pristine food packaging, processing and logistics trade show. PackEx showcases the latest innovations, smart solutions and technologies in the sector. The last edition of the fair was attended by over 170 exhibitors from all around the world. The expo offers different demonstrations, product and tech presentations, lectures and meetups.

All leading countries have at least one big food packaging and processing trade show, so here are some more expos you might find interesting:

AUSPACK

The largest expo in the southern hemisphere for food, beverage and pharmaceutical processing and packaging, AUSPACK is held annually in Melbourne, Australia.

Pacprocess MEA

It is the biggest trade show for packing and processing in the Middle East and Africa. The requirements of the F&B industry are strongly showcased and highly discussed.

Have you decided which expo you will visit next?

Before you make your final decision, check out which are the biggest food trade shows on the globe where you can discover new ingredients, herbs and spices and various food products. And if you are ready why don’t you leave the dull and stressful organisation of your accommodation to us? Don’t worry about business travel reservations, cancelling policies and refunds. Over the years Fair Point has built a strong network of partners around the world, ensuring you will receive the best prices and customer service wherever you decide to stay.