IFFA 2028 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany

IFFA 2028 is the leading international B2B trade fair for technology in the meat and protein industry.

This is where you see, live, how the sector is changing. Robots, sensors, smart automation, new packaging formats, ingredients and products made from alternative proteins.

Important for planning. IFFA is a trade-only event. Admission for private visitors is not available.

Video about IFFA

A short video helps you feel the pace and the scale.

Who IFFA 2028 is useful for

People come to IFFA not to “browse”, but to solve real tasks. You’ll meet plenty of decision-makers who shortlist suppliers and sign projects.

• Plant managers and factory directors. For line upgrades, higher yield, better quality and stable output.
• Owners and commercial directors. The show delivers strong international contacts and fast, focused negotiations.
• Technologists, engineers, R&D teams. Compare solutions across the process chain, from raw material to packaging.
• Procurement and sourcing. A practical way to build a supplier shortlist and validate alternatives.
• Businesses in the alternative proteins segment. At IFFA, this is a major track in its own right, not a side topic.

The history of IFFA: how the show became an industry benchmark

IFFA has a strong tradition. The first edition was held in Frankfurt in 1949 under the name International Meat Industry Exhibition.

Today, IFFA takes place every three years. That cadence works well for business planning. Many companies align equipment renewal cycles and new product launches around the event.

Another key advantage. The scope has grown from classic meat processing to the full market of technologies for meat and alternative proteins.

IFFA in numbers: scale and international reach

The show has a rare quality. It attracts a lot of long-haul attendees. People fly in because they want to buy technology and agree on supply and delivery.

• IFFA 2025: 63,117 trade visitors from 144 countries. International visitors accounted for 74%.
• IFFA 2025: 1,025 exhibitors. A true concentration of machine and solution makers, not a “brand bazaar”.
• Exhibition space: around 116,000 m² of gross floor area. Four key halls and a clear hall-to-hall route.
• Deal-making pace: the final report highlights a strong investment mindset. Booth conversations focus on projects, not “someday”.

What you’ll see at IFFA 2028: categories and how the show is organized

IFFA covers the full process. From raw material to finished product and sales. The raw material can vary: meat, fish, plants, mushrooms, algae, insects and even cell cultures.

For easy navigation, the show is structured into themed “worlds”. They help you find the right solutions fast.

• World of Processing
  • Processing, preparation, grinding, forming, thermal treatment.
  • Line automation and productivity gains.
• World of Packaging
  • Packaging lines, materials, seal integrity and quality control.
  • Solutions for shelf life, convenience and logistics efficiency.
• World of Ingredients
  • Ingredients, additives, spices, functional components.
  • Support for taste, texture and recipe stability.
• World of New Proteins
  • Technologies and solutions for alternative proteins.
  • Next-generation products and processes.
• World of Skills and Sales
  • Craft meat processing, skills, sales and service.
  • Practical know-how that impacts margin and customer loyalty.

Well-known companies at IFFA 2028 : who to add to your route

• GEA

  At the show, the company highlighted process technology solutions for the food industry, including efficiency and sustainable operations. A strong choice if you need industrial scale and a system-level approach.

• MULTIVAC

  The strength is packaging and line integration. At IFFA, the company showcased end-to-end solutions: from equipment to digital services and automation.

• Weber Food Technology

  Focus: slicing, packaging and automation for high volumes. Ideal for teams that measure speed, consistency and losses in grams, not “by feel”.

• JBT Marel

  One of the most visible players for integrated solutions. At IFFA, the company emphasized a unified technology platform and a broad equipment portfolio across the production chain.

• Handtmann

  Known for processing technology and production line solutions. If you’re upgrading a section or launching a new range, visit booths like this with a clear brief prepared in advance.

• VEMAG

  At the show, the company presented automation-focused solutions. Useful when you want to reduce dependence on staffing and make output more predictable.

Tips for IFFA visitors: how to get the most from one trip

It’s easy to lose time at IFFA. The show is huge, and you’ll want a lot of meetings. Here’s a practical approach used by experienced visitors.

• Download IFFA Navigator. The app includes exhibitors, products, hall plans and events. It’s your fastest way to avoid walking “blind”.
• Build your route by “worlds”. Start by choosing 2–3 themed blocks. Then add specific booths and meeting slots.
• Try the Discovery Tours. These are guided walks through selected innovations. They last about 1–1.5 hours, participation is free, and no registration is required.
• Don’t miss IFFA Kitchen. It’s a mix of talks and live demos with tastings. A great format for inspiration and new product ideas.
• Stop by IFFA Factory. This area shows practical answers to labor shortages: automation, simplified operations, smart concepts.
• If you want a “comfort-level” service, look into the Messe Frankfurt Business Club. It offers personal support and additional on-site services.

How to exhibit at IFFA

If you plan to exhibit at IFFA 2028, start with the basics. Define clearly what you sell at the show. A machine, a line, an ingredient, a service, or contract manufacturing.

• Submit your application via the official show services.
• Choose your format and hall location. The logic is simple: closer to “your world” means more targeted contacts.
• Plan your demonstration. At IFFA 2028, live runs and clear case examples perform best.
• Prepare your team. You need people who can quickly quantify customer value and drive the next step after the booth conversation.

And one important venue rule. IFFA 2028 is a trade-only event. Visitors are subject to restrictions on retail sales and handing out samples.

Exhibition stand at IFFA 2028 : how to stand out and avoid losing leads

Competition at IFFA 2028 is intense. An exhibition stand should work like a funnel: get noticed, invite engagement, communicate value fast, book a meeting.

At ESBAU, we build exhibition stands across Europe and know how to guide visitors with a clear journey, not by chance. Design, production, installation and on-site support are all on us.

If you want a confident look and a strong presentation, choose custom exhibition stand construction with ESBAU. We’ll create a solution around your goal: sales, a product launch, dealer acquisition, or project negotiations.

Need a fast start and a predictable budget? Then exhibition stand rental with ESBAU is a good fit. You enter IFFA 2028 without extra strain on your team and with a clean, business-ready brand presence.

Tell us what you plan to showcase at the trade fair and which contacts you want to secure. We’ll propose a stand concept that helps you close meetings.