European Food Processing Trade Shows in 2026-2027

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the European food production market, attending major food-processing equipment trade shows is essential. These events provide firsthand industry insights, a stage to showcase cutting-edge machinery and production technologies—including food-processing supplies such as packaging—and valuable opportunities to connect with potential clients, distributors, suppliers, and collaborators from across the continent.

This guide presents a curated selection of leading food-processing equipment & technologies and food-processing supplies trade shows across Europe, with special attention to Western Europe. For each event, you’ll find key information and direct links to the organizers’ official websites.

If you are in the Food & Beverage industry, this other blog post focuses specifically on major European F&B tradeshows (ingredients, finished products, etc).

1. Food Processing Trade Shows in France (2026-2027)

France is a worldwide leader in food production and processing. Being the EU agriculture powerhouse, transforming food and beverages is a natural thing to do for French companies.

The sector relies on a dense network of businesses, comprising approximately 20,000 companies in 2025. This robust ecosystem supports global giants like Danone, Lactalis, and Pernod Ricard, while remaining deeply rooted in a fabric of agile SMEs, which make up 98% of the industry.

As the largest industrial sector in France, the food and beverage industry is a vital economic engine. In 2024-2025, the sector generated a turnover of nearly €250 billion, with exports contributing a record €82 billion, reinforcing France's status as a top-tier global exporter.

While food production remains the core activity, the supporting machinery and packaging sectors are critical drivers of this success. The French food processing equipment market was valued at approximately €2 billion in 2024, while the food packaging sector exceeded €9.8 billion. Both are projected to see steady growth of 3-4% annually through 2025 and beyond, driven by a need for modernization.

The nation's "France 2030" investment plan emphasizes decarbonization and digital transformation, ensuring high demand for cutting-edge solutions in sustainable packaging, robotics, and energy-efficient processing equipment.

Participating in the right trade shows is essential for professionals seeking to navigate this landscape, source new technologies, and secure their position in the evolving global supply chain.

A detailed summary of the 2026-2027 food processing and beverage trade shows in France is provided in the table below: processing machinery, packaging, and sustainable food technologies.

For food and beverages, or agriculture tradeshows, please check the related articles on our blog listing.

2. Food Processing Trade Shows in Switzerland (2026-2027)

The Swiss food and beverage ecosystem is characterized by its ability to transform high-quality raw materials into premium, globally recognized products. While renowned for traditional exports like chocolate and cheese, the sector has evolved into a high-tech powerhouse for food processing, nutritional science, and global commodity trading (particularly coffee). It stands as a resilient pillar of the Swiss economy, balancing strong domestic heritage with significant export success.

Here are the key data points about the food processing and food and beverage market in Switzerland for 2024:

• Industry Turnover: The Swiss food processing industry generates an estimated turnover of approximately CHF 52 billion, with over 3,600 active companies driving this value.
• Export Strength: Exports of food, beverages, and tobacco reached a record of CHF 9.5 billion in 2024, representing a 2.1% growth. Key drivers include chocolate (over CHF 1.2 billion in exports) and coffee, for which Switzerland serves as a premier global processing and trading hub.
• Employment: The food manufacturing sector employs approximately 84,000 people, while the broader food supply chain (including food service and retail) supports a workforce of over 300,000.
• Market Growth Outlook: The sector is positioned for steady expansion. Industrial food production is forecast to grow at a CAGR of roughly 1.2% through 2028, while the commercial food service market is projected to see more robust growth, with forecasts indicating a CAGR of over 5% as consumer demand for premium and sustainable options rises.

This combination of traditional craftsmanship and industrial innovation ensures Switzerland remains a leading location for food technology and production.

Here is a list of food processing trade shows in Switzerland in 2026 and 2027.

For food and beverages, or agriculture tradeshows, please check the related articles on our blog listing.

3. Food Processing Trade Shows in Belgium (2026-2027)

The Belgian food and beverage ecosystem is a central engine of the country's industrial economy, renowned for blending rich culinary traditions with state-of-the-art processing capabilities. Situated at the heart of Europe, Belgium leverages its strategic logistics network to serve as a major international hub for food trade, processing, and re-export. The sector is characterized by a dynamic mix of agile SMEs and large multinationals, maintaining a reputation for quality, food safety, and innovation despite a challenging economic environment.

Here are the key data points about the food processing and food and beverage market in Belgium for 2024:

• Industry Turnover: The Belgian food industry remains the country's largest industrial sector, generating a turnover of €82.9 billion. It comprises approximately 3,980 companies, the vast majority of which are SMEs that drive regional economic activity.
• Export Strength: Belgium is a global export powerhouse, with sector exports valued at €39.6 billion. Food products accounted for nearly 13% of Belgium's total goods exports in 2024, with key markets including the Netherlands, France, and Germany.
• Employment: The sector is a vital employer, providing over 102,000 direct jobs. While employment has seen slight fluctuations due to economic pressures, the industry remains a stable pillar of the labor market.
• Market Growth Outlook: The market is demonstrating resilience in the face of tight margins and competitiveness challenges. While the broader economy forecasts a GDP growth of 1.1% CAGR through 2029, specific food segments are projected to outperform this baseline. The commercial food service market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.8% through 2028, and the ready-to-eat sector is forecast for robust expansion with a CAGR of over 8% through 2032, driven by changing consumer lifestyles.

This ability to adapt to shifting consumer demands while maintaining high export volumes ensures Belgium remains a competitive leader in the European food landscape. Here is a compilation of some key industrial and manufacturing trade shows in Belgium for the years 2026/2027.

For food and beverages, or agriculture tradeshows, please check the related articles on our blog listing.

4. Other European Food Processing Shows (2026-2027)

The European food and beverage industry is a colossal engine for the continent's economy, standing as the largest manufacturing sector in the EU in terms of turnover. In 2024, the industry continues to demonstrate immense scale, generating a turnover exceeding €1.2 trillion and employing over 4.7 million people. This robust foundation drives a critical and highly competitive demand for advanced processing technology.

Powering this sector is the European food processing machinery market, a global leader in innovation and export quality. The market is defined by its focus on automation, sustainability, and high safety standards. Recent estimates project the European food processing equipment market to continue its steady expansion, with forecasts indicating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 3.5% to 6% through 2030, driven by the need for energy-efficient lines and smart factory integration.

While the region functions as a unified powerhouse, specific nations distinguish themselves as industrial pillars:

Germany remains the undisputed heavyweight of the sector. In 2023, the production of food processing and packaging machinery in Germany reached a record level of €16.5 billion, reflecting a 5% increase from the previous year. German manufacturers are heavily export-oriented, shipping over 80% of their production worldwide. The country’s machinery market is projected to grow robustly, with forecasts suggesting a CAGR of over 6% in the coming years as companies invest in digitalization and Industry 4.0 solutions.

Italy consistently holds a leading position alongside Germany, renowned for its design flexibility and mechanical engineering prowess. The Italian sector is particularly dominant in packaging and processing technologies; the local packaging machinery industry alone recorded a turnover of €9.23 billion in 2023. With a domestic market valued at nearly €2.96 billion, Italy is expected to maintain steady growth, fueled by strong exports and a specialization in high-quality, customized machinery solutions.

The Netherlands and Spain: Beyond the two giants, other nations play essential roles in the value chain. The Netherlands has emerged as a critical trade and innovation hub, particularly in meat and poultry processing technologies, leveraging its position as a top global exporter of agricultural products. Similarly, Spain continues to strengthen its industrial footprint, with its meat processing machinery sector showing resilience and growing export figures, solidifying its status as a key supplier within the European market.

For food and beverages, or agriculture tradeshows, please check the related articles on our blog listing.

Engaging with food processing trade shows across Europe is a key tactic for staying ahead of market trends, building strategic partnerships, and identifying new opportunities in different regions. Whether your goal is to expand your professional network, win new clients and distributors, or explore the latest food processing and packaging technologies firsthand, these events should be central to your international growth strategy.

Now is the time to plan your calendar and take action!

Food Processing Trade Shows in Europe—FAQ

What are the biggest food processing shows in Europe?

Events like Anuga Foodtec (Germany), CFIA (France), and Cibus Tec (Italy) are among the largest in Europe.

Are food processing trade shows in Europe worth attending for small companies?

Absolutely. These events provide unmatched opportunities to connect directly with potential clients and distributors, as well as to gain industry insights that are rarely available elsewhere.

How can I prepare for a food processing trade show in Europe?

Set clear objectives, prepare your marketing collateral, arrange meetings ahead of time, and thoroughly research both exhibitors and potential attendees.

Do I need to speak the local language?

English is widely used, but knowing a few phrases in the local language can help build rapport.

How far in advance should I register?

If you’re considering exhibiting, it’s best to start planning 6 to 12 months in advance to secure a prime booth location. For those planning to attend as visitors, allow 3 to 6 months to book accommodation and organize business meetings.