Fi Europe’s 30th edition in Paris welcomed 24,351 people from 134 countries, including 1,470 exhibitors across the global food, beverage, nutrition, food technology, and pet nutrition sectors. Through its education and networking opportunities, Fi Europe gave an early glimpse of trends set to shape the industry in the coming year, made available in a recent report.   

“Fi Europe has always been about bringing people together, and this year it was clear how much the industry values that connection,” said Yannick Verry, Fi Europe brand director. “The show floor was buzzing with a real sense of community. The conversations happening in our hubs, theatres and networking events weren’t just meaningful in the moment – they’re the catalyst for the innovations we’ll see shaping the market in 2026. We’re excited to carry this momentum forward as we prepare for Frankfurt next year.”

Community Hub

The new community hub, a dedicated space to bring together smaller communities and industry groups, facilitated collaboration and knowledge sharing through presentations and gatherings, while the tasting bar invited attendees to experience ingredients through sensory product samples. The Innovation Awards also celebrated new achievements in the industry.

Food Industry Trends

The event focused on several emerging trends, including pet nutrition, upcycling, functional fiber, the gut-brain axis, microbiome modulation, and more, via insights and education in panel discussions.

Food upcycling emerged as a key theme, driven by increased consumer awareness and tightening sustainability regulations. An innovation tour, panel discussions, and sustainability networking lunch featuring keynote speakers and an interactive workshop on building resilient food systems all highlighted upcycling as an opportunity.

“We’re going to take learnings from this year’s show to shape the next edition,” said Verry. “For instance, over 200 people attended the inaugural pet nutrition networking event. Based on this, and feedback from delegates during the show, we expect the pet food area to triple in size in Frankfurt. Similarly, we plan to double the amount of space dedicated to food manufacturing equipment and services in 2026.”