Anuga, the world’s largest trade fair for food and beverages, over the course of five days was the place-to-be for the industry. There was strong participation boasting around 140,000 trade visitors from 200 countries and around 7900 exhibitors from 118 countries. The share of foreign exhibitors was 94% and at 80% there was a record share of foreign visitors.
“Over the decades, Anuga has established itself as the undisputed number one event. And the current edition is proof of our quality and relevance in a rapidly developing sector. We are proud to unite and strengthen the global food and beverage community under the flag of Anuga,” says Koelnmesse GmbH President and Chief Executive Officer Gerald Böse.
This year, Anuga primarily focused on the ‘Sustainable Growth’ theme and responsible use of resources. From the optimisation of the supply chains through to fair food production, experts from all over the globe presented an impressive variety of approaches, emphasising the industry’s clear commitment to a sustainable development and readiness to face global challenges.
“As the world’s largest trade fair for food and beverages, Anuga 2023 set an important signal for the future of the food industry. As such, it is promoting both the dialogue and collaboration between companies, organisations, the industry, science and politics to jointly shape a sustainable and liveable future,” Mr Böse said.
President of the German Association of the Retail Grocery Trade (BVLH) Björn Fromm says, “Anuga has bounced back impressively and proven that it is quite rightly the leading global trade fair for the food industry. Anyone, who follows the diversified supporting programme attentively and examines the many innovations, can see that the trade fair also sets the theme trends. ‘Sustainable Growth’, the central theme of Anuga 2023, was practically tangible in every hall. In my capacity as President of the BVLH, I am delighted, as co-organisers, to further develop Anuga and in this way contribute towards further expanding its leading role among the world’s food trade fairs.”
With a diversified event and congress program and the Anuga Horizon Conference, this year the trade fair set more new impulses for the food industry of tomorrow than ever before. Expert panels were staged that addressed the most important industry issues, as well as side events by organisations like EIT Food and UNIDO, which offered additional perspectives and solutions. Anuga also presented new and ongoing trends.
High quality of the visitors
The exhibitors particularly praised the high quality of the trade visitors. The who]s who from the trade and food service sector attended the leading global trade fair in Cologne. All of the relevant players from the most important food retailers were represented: Amazon, Aeon Co, ALDI, Auchan, Carrefour, Coop, Cosco Wholesale, Colruyt Group, Lidl & Kaufland, Metro, Mercadona, Migros, Rewe, Spar and Walmart. The highest numbers of visitors from European countries were registered from Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Turkey. Beyond Europe, the most well-represented nations included Brazil, China, Japan, Korea and the USA.
Shaping the future with Anuga HORIZON
Anuga HORIZON was staged as a conference for the first time this year. International industry experts, pioneers and decision-makers came together to exchange their knowledge and experience. In the course of inspiring lectures and panel discussions the industry’s latest trends, challenges and solutions were addressed.
Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown says, “It was great to be stood in front of such a progressive audience at the Anuga HORIZON Conference and engage in a direct exchange with German and European consumers. They play a pioneering role in the transition over to plant-based meat alternatives and a vegetarian diet, which is of decisive importance for our planet.”
Mondeléz International Vice President and Global Head Snack Futures Richie Gray says, “Anuga HORIZON proved to be an outstanding platform for in-depth discourse, far beyond superficial small talk. A host of perspectives came together here, supported by an impressive diversity and global reach. This event was vibrant with positive energy and the joint incentive for innovation.”
‘weareAnuga’ campaign strengthens the trade fair community
In an era where the food world is becoming increasingly more global and sustainability and healthy food more and more important, Anuga promotes the exchange between people from different cultures, industries and areas of interest – not only in Cologne – but also at the satellite events held worldwide. This solidarity was also reflected by the ‘#weareAnuga’ campaign, which was launched at the 2023 edition. The leading global trade fair went viral across the social media and achieved 2.5 million hits over the entire duration of the trade fair.
The next Anuga will take place from 4-8 October 2025.
Anuga presents the top innovations of 2023
68 products and top innovations were presented on the central stage of the Anuga taste Innovation Show. It is considered to be a trend barometer and source of inspiration for the global food business.
Selected by a jury comprising of international trade journalists and market research analysts, the most important new products of Anuga are presented to the trade visitors and media representatives.
Over 689 companies applied to have over 2200 ideas included in the special event. The jury selected 68 products and concepts from among these, which convinced in terms of their idea, innovative power, sustainability and creative implementation – spanning across the different Anuga trade shows. In addition, ten products were also distinguished as being especially innovative.
The top ten innovations
- Sushi Rice Platter by Asian Table Wismettac Emea Holdings Ltd (Great Britain)
- BettaF!sh TU-NAH Tin by BettaF!sh from Germany
- Melis Pickle Soda by Euro Gida San. Ve Tic. A.s (Turkey)
- Yoghurt Alternative made from apricot stones by Kern Tec (Austria)
- Crunchy Mushroom Chilli by Lifestyle Ventures SDN BHD (Malaysia)
- Hexa-creme by Lyson Apiary (Poland)
- Vegan No egg white by Schouten Europe (Netherlands)
- Milch Garum by the Garum Project (Italy)
- Dried Mushrooms and Mixes by VG Fryer D.o-o. (Croatia)
- Chica Mexicana Tortilla Wheat Beer by Leighton Foods (Denmark).
This year’s new products above all demonstrate: The focus is on alternative proteins, clean label products as well as products with additional health benefits. In the section of plant-based and clean label products the exhibitors offered soups made from pulses, minerals and proteins and 100% natural ingredients, vegan egg and protein substitutes or hand-made plantuccini, a plant-based interpretation of cantuccini.
In the section of alternative protein products the emphasis at Anuga 2023 was on fish alternatives. Whether alternative crab patties, shellfish or fish, the manufacturers were betting on plant-based proteins and fibres. The innovations at the trade fair also featured new yoghurt alternatives made from apricot stones or oatmeal dressing.
Innovations with additional health benefits was also a key topic. In the beverage section, the focus was on functional ingredients and natural, plant-based ingredients from sustainable cultivation. To reach younger consumer groups, the exhibitors of Anuga presented beverages with unusual colours and exotic flavours or glitter. In addition to citrus, floral, plant-based aromas such as hibiscus, jasmine, rose and elderberry blossoms are extremely popular for both hot and cold beverages. Non-alcoholic alternatives continue to be an important trend too, particularly in the beer and wine sector. In addition, there are also new upcycling products such as a tortilla beer that is brewed from left-over tortillas.
When it comes down to the topic of fermentation, the products of the Anuga taste Innovation Show include, for example, a mushroom chilli or a fruit soda beverage made from fermented cucumber juice.
There are also among others creative ideas for Halloween. For example, one company offered a black meat loaf.
The catalogue of the exhibition and more information is available exclusively online on Anuga’s website.
The next events
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ISM – The world’s largest trade fair for sweets and snacks, Cologne 28.01. – 31.01.2024
THAIFEX – HOREC Asia – Elevating the hospitality industry to new heights, Bangkok 06.03. – 08.03.2024.
