Anuga FoodTec 2027 in Cologne, Germany

Anuga FoodTec 2027 is the leading international supplier trade fair for the food and beverage industry, held at the Koelnmesse exhibition centre in Cologne, Germany. It is the only event worldwide that covers the entire food production cycle: from engineering solutions and ingredients to packaging, logistics and digitalisation.

The format of the trade fair is strictly professional. It brings together food and beverage manufacturers, processors, engineers, technologists, quality, logistics and automation experts, as well as investors and innovators who are looking for practical solutions to real business challenges.

In recent years, Anuga FoodTec has welcomed more than 1,300 exhibitors and around 40,000 professional visitors from over 130 countries, with decision-makers accounting for roughly 80 percent of the audience. This turns the trade fair into a powerful deal-making platform, not just a “showroom for display”.

Video about Anuga FoodTec

To get a feel for the trade fair atmosphere even before travelling to Cologne, it is worth watching the official recap video. It conveys the scale of the halls, the pace of negotiations at the stands, the technological density and the overall energy of the event.

Who will benefit most from visiting Anuga FoodTec 2027 in Cologne

Visiting Anuga FoodTec 2027 is especially valuable for company leaders and specialists responsible for efficiency, safety and sustainability in food production.

• Owners and top managers of food production plants who are planning factory modernisation or building new production lines.
• Production directors, chief engineers, technologists, design engineers, automation and digitalisation specialists.
• Heads of R&D, quality, analytics and food safety departments who are interested in new standards and risk management solutions.
• Packaging and ingredient manufacturers, raw material suppliers, logistics and service providers working with the food industry.
• Start-ups and innovation teams developing solutions in alternative proteins, sustainable production, energy and resource efficiency.

Because the trade fair gathers a high concentration of buyers and department heads, the return on business meetings is very strong: in four days you can hold dozens of targeted appointments and build a sales pipeline for years ahead.

History and development of Anuga FoodTec

The story of Anuga FoodTec started in 1996 as the continuation and merger of two formats – Anuga-Technica and DLG-FoodTec. From the outset, the trade fair was conceived as a technological “think tank” within the famous Anuga food fair.

Over time it has grown into an independent leading platform for technology suppliers. The organiser is Koelnmesse, with the German Agricultural Society DLG as conceptual partner.

In 2012 the trade fair already occupied around 127,000 m², attracting almost 43,000 visitors and more than 1,200 exhibitors. By 2015 the space had increased to roughly 130,000 m², and visitor numbers exceeded 45,000. In 2018 the number of exhibitors reached about 1,650, with more than 50,000 trade visitors.

In 2024 the event welcomed around 40,000 professional visitors from 133 countries and more than 1,300 exhibiting companies, with “Responsibility” – a responsible and sustainable approach to food and beverage production – as the central theme.

The trade fair takes place every three years and has time to “accumulate” trends which are then showcased in concentrated form – that is why participation in Anuga FoodTec is often seen as a key moment for rethinking strategy for the coming years.

Scale and advantages of Anuga FoodTec compared to other trade fairs

The main difference of Anuga FoodTec is its focus on the entire technological chain of the food industry at once. It is not just a “packaging show” or “ingredients-only” fair: on a single site you meet manufacturers of equipment, digital solutions, packaging materials, components, ingredients and services.

Among the key advantages of the event:

• The scale of the exhibition – more than 120,000 m² of floor space in past editions, with fully occupied themed halls and outdoor areas for large-scale equipment.
• Around 1,300–1,350 exhibitors and some 40,000 professional visitors at the latest edition in Cologne, ensuring a high density of business contacts.
• A strong international profile of exhibitors and visitors: in different years the trade fair has welcomed participants from more than 130–150 countries.
• Up to 80 percent of visitors are decision-makers, and around 60 percent are heads of departments, which makes discussions at the stand highly focused and concrete.
• A unique status: the only supplier trade fair in the world that unites all aspects of food and beverage production – from R&D and engineering to the end of the supply chain.

Another competitive edge is the strong conference and events programme: conferences, forums, Science Slam, Deep Dives, BarCamps, start-up pitches, the International FoodTec Award ceremony and Careers Day give you the chance not only to see the equipment, but also to hear directly from the people who shape the agenda of the industry.

Major Anuga FoodTec 2027 exhibitors

At the latest edition in Cologne, and in announcements for the upcoming fair, dozens of global industry leaders are listed. Below are a few examples of well-known companies that use Anuga FoodTec as a key platform for premieres and negotiations.

GEA

GEA traditionally holds a strong position in equipment for the dairy, beverage and food industries. At Anuga FoodTec 2024 the company focused on energy and water savings, presenting its initiative for “zero” water consumption at dairy plants and new solutions for separation and raw material processing.

For visitors, the GEA stand is a chance to explore real-world cases in reducing resource consumption and to learn about approaches to sustainable engineering design.

Krones

Krones is one of the world’s leading providers of filling lines and turnkey solutions for beverages and liquid food. At Anuga FoodTec 2024 the company showcased energy-efficient concepts for direct heating and modern solutions for resource recovery.

The Krones stand traditionally attracts beverage producers who are looking for new bottle formats, flexible lines and ways to reduce the carbon footprint of their production.

Bühler

Bühler is actively developing technologies for grain, cocoa and coffee processing, as well as solutions for alternative proteins. At Anuga FoodTec 2024 the company presented a high-capacity extrusion and cooling system for producing high-quality plant-based protein products.

For visitors this is a real opportunity to see how to manufacture alternative proteins on an industrial scale, not just in demonstration laboratories.

KHS

At Anuga FoodTec 2024 KHS presented its new rotary aseptic block InnoPET BloFill ACF-R and solutions for more sustainable beverage packaging. The company focuses on energy efficiency, hygiene and digital services, such as the KHS ConnectApp platform for line monitoring and control.

For beverage producers, the KHS stand is the ideal place to compare different aseptic filling concepts and discuss how to upgrade existing lines in line with circular economy principles.

SIG

SIG uses Anuga FoodTec as a stage to present new generations of aseptic carton packaging. In 2024, much attention was drawn to SIG Terra solutions and aluminium-free carton packs, developed to reduce the carbon footprint and improve recyclability.

At the SIG stand, visitors learn how to combine sustainability, consumer convenience and product protection requirements, and which packaging formats are best suited to new beverage categories and functional products.

MULTIVAC

MULTIVAC is one of the key players in packaging and slicing solutions for meat, delicatessen and ready meals. At the latest Anuga FoodTec the company showcased new slicer series and integrated packaging solutions for fresh meat and ready meals, including live demonstrations in the Processing area.

For visitors, this is a rare chance to see complete lines – from slicing to sealed packs – in real operation, and to discuss how to adapt these solutions to their own products and retail formats.

Technology, product and service categories at Anuga FoodTec

The Anuga FoodTec 2027 exhibition is divided into clear technology clusters, making it easier to navigate the halls and find the right solutions.

• Food processing technologies: equipment for meat processing, dairy, beverages, confectionery, alternative protein products and ready meals.
• Filling and packaging equipment: filling lines, form-fill-seal machines, thermoformers, flow-wrap systems, MAP/skin packaging solutions, palletising and end-of-line equipment.
• Packaging materials and packaging solutions: aseptic carton systems, films, trays, sustainable and lightweight materials, paper-based and bio-based concepts.
• Ingredients and auxiliaries: stabilisers, functional blends, flavour and aroma systems, ingredients for alternative proteins and healthy nutrition.
• Laboratory and analytical equipment: solutions for quality control, food safety, microbiology and analytics.
• Automation, digitalisation and software: SCADA systems, MES, predictive maintenance solutions, industrial robots, machine vision systems and AI-driven analytics.
• Engineering infrastructure and energy efficiency: pumps, heat exchangers, heat recovery systems, refrigeration technology, water and wastewater treatment, energy- and water-saving technologies.
• Logistics and internal material flow: conveyors, storage systems, automated warehouses, solutions for managing raw material and finished goods flows.
• Services and consulting: plant design, EPC contracts, engineering companies, industry associations, publishers and training centres.

Thanks to this structure, visitors can either dive deep into a specific segment or, in a single day, walk through the entire chain – from raw materials to the finished product on the shelf.

Tips and practical hacks for Anuga FoodTec 2027 visitors

To get the most out of your trip to Anuga FoodTec 2027, it makes sense to prepare for the visit in advance – treating it like a serious business project rather than just a tour of the halls.

• Use the official app and digital platform. Through the Anuga FoodTec App and the online Lobby you can explore the exhibitor list in advance, map out your route through the halls, book meetings and access part of the content.
• Plan to join the Guided Tours. Thematic guided tours on key topics (sustainable packaging, energy and water management, digitalisation and robotics) let you meet top players in your area of interest within about 1.5 hours and ask questions directly to experts.
• Set aside time for the Main Stage and forums. The Main Stage and specialist forums focus on strategic issues: responsibility and sustainability, alternative proteins, energy efficiency, digital transformation and AI in production. This is an excellent source of insights and arguments when you need to defend investment projects.
• Use B2B matchmaking and networking services. In cooperation with Enterprise Europe Network, pre-arranged B2B meetings are organised to connect manufacturers, suppliers and technology partners.
• Don’t overlook career and start-up formats. Science Slam, start-up pitches, the Female Leadership Event and Careers Day help you discover future talents and technologies and present your company as an attractive employer.
• Think about logistics and on-site services. Koelnmesse is easy to reach by public transport, and the grounds offer cloakrooms, food courts, business lounges and meeting areas. It is worth booking accommodation in Cologne in advance and factoring in travel time between halls.
• Keep a “quiet hour” for your key stands. The busiest time is midday. Important negotiations are better scheduled for the morning or late afternoon, when traffic at the stand is lower and experts have more time for your project.

If you are travelling as a team, it helps to split responsibilities: who covers packaging, who focuses on processes, who looks after digitalisation. This way you will visit more stands and come back with a concrete list of solutions, not just general impressions.

How to become an exhibitor at Anuga FoodTec 2027 and what it involves

To take part in Anuga FoodTec 2027 as an exhibitor, you need to register on the official website of the organiser Koelnmesse. For the upcoming edition there is an online registration process and an Early Bird rate within a specified period to help optimise your participation budget.

The organiser provides a convenient stand cost calculator: you enter the stand size and basic parameters and receive an indicative budget for space rental, service fees and additional options.

For companies that prefer a ready-made turnkey solution, Koelnmesse offers complete stand packages: these already include space rental, basic stand construction, electricity, standard equipment and some services. It is a good option for first-time exhibitors or those testing a new market.

Regardless of the participation format, it is worth preparing the following before registration:

• Clear participation goals (leads, meetings, product launch, brand positioning).
• A description of the company and its solution portfolio in English (and, if possible, in German).
• A list of products and technologies you want to showcase at the stand, with an understanding of where in the halls your target audience is concentrated.
• A communication plan: client mailings, stand invitations, social media activity, and meeting arrangements via the matchmaking platform.

Stand construction and rental: how to maximise the impact of your participation

A striking, well-thought-out stand at Anuga FoodTec 2027 is not just a “nice backdrop”, but a fully-fledged sales tool: it helps you stand out among hundreds of exhibitors, present your product portfolio clearly and hold meetings in a comfortable setting.

If you are planning to exhibit at Koelnmesse, you can entrust the design and construction of your stand to ESBAU – a professional exhibition stand builder in Europe. The team will select a format that fits your goals: from a compact 20–30 m² solution to a large two-storey stand with private meeting rooms and demonstration areas.

Importantly, ESBAU can offer both custom stand construction from scratch and rental of modular exhibition structures with branding. This gives you flexibility in budget planning: some companies invest in a bold image project for several trade fair cycles, while others prefer a cost-optimised rental option that can be quickly adapted to the current showcase.

Smart stand design, convenient zoning and a recognisable visual identity significantly increase conversion at the stand: visitors stay longer, find their way around your portfolio more easily and are ready to discuss concrete projects right on site.

Exhibition Stand Builder at Anuga FoodTec