With the key theme of Sustainable Growth focusing on sustainable industry solutions, Anuga, the world's largest and most important trade fair for food and beverages, has established itself as the undisputed leader and demonstrated over five days that it is the place to be for the industry. The following figures reflect the strong participation: Boasting around 140,000 trade visitors from 200 countries and approx.
With 7,900 exhibitors from 118 countries, the global trade fair exceeded all expectations. The share of foreign exhibitors was 94 percent, and at 80 percent, there was a record share of foreign visitors. This makes Anuga more international than ever and confirms its ongoing success as the number one global food trade fair.
"Over the decades, Anuga has established itself as the undisputed number one event. The current edition proves 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," said Gerald Böse, President and Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH.
Under the key theme of Sustainable Growth, this year's Anuga primarily focused on sustainability and the responsible use of resources. From optimising the supply chains to fair food production, experts from around the globe presented an impressive variety of approaches. This emphasised the industry's commitment to 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 promotes the dialogue and collaboration between companies, organisations, the industry, science and politics to shape a sustainable and liveable future jointly.”
Björn Fromm, President of the German Association of the Retail Grocery Trade (BVLH), said that Anuga has bounced back impressively and proven that it is 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,” said Fromm.
Fromm continued the central theme of Anuga 2023, Sustainable Growth, which was tangible in every hall. As President of the BVLH, he was delighted, as co-organiser, to develop Anuga further and, in this way, contribute towards further expanding its leading role among the world's food trade fairs.
With a diversified event and congress programme and the Anuga Horizon Conference this year, the trade fair set more new impulses for tomorrow's food industry than ever. Expert panels were staged that addressed the most important industry issues and side events by organisations like EIT Food and UNIDO, which offered additional perspectives and solutions. Furthermore, as a provider of knowledge and know-how, Anuga presented new and ongoing trends.
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. Most 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.
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. The industry's latest trends, challenges, and solutions were addressed during inspiring lectures and panel discussions.
Ethan Brown, CEO of Beyond Meat, said it was great to stand in front of such a progressive audience at the Anuga HORIZON Conference and directly exchange with German and European consumers.
“They play a pioneering role in the transition to plant-based meat alternatives and a vegetarian diet, which is decisive for our planet," stated Brown.
“Anuga HORIZON proved to be an outstanding platform for in-depth discourse beyond superficial small talk,” said Richie Gray, Vice President and Global Head of Snack Futures from Mondeléz International.
Gray explained that various perspectives came together, supported by an impressive diversity and global reach.
“This event was vibrant with positive energy and the joint incentive for innovation."
The #weareAnuga campaign strengthened the trade fair community. In an era where the food world is becoming increasingly global and sustainability and healthy food more and more critical, Anuga promoted the exchange between people from different cultures, industries and areas of interest, not only in Cologne but also at the worldwide satellite events. This solidarity was reflected by the "#weareAnuga" campaign launched in the 2023 edition. The leading global trade fair went viral across social media and achieved 2.5 million hits over the entire trade fair.
The trade fair had 7,850 companies from 118 countries participate in Anuga 2023 on exhibition space covering 300,000 m². The share of foreign exhibitors was 94 percent. Around 140,000 trade visitors from 200 countries attended Anuga 2023. The foreign share was 80 percent.
The next Anuga will take place from the 4th to the 8th of October 2025.
Dr. Christian von Boetticher, Chairman of the Federation of the German Food Industries (BVE): We are delighted with the fantastic outcome of Anuga 2023 and more exhibitors than ever before, many of whom came from Germany. The high number of dealers present led to many contacts and business transactions.
Ingrid Hartges, Chief Executive Director of DEHOGA, stated that solidarity, courage, and innovative power through examining, tasting and experiencing products in person are essential for Anuga.
“In times of dynamic changes, Anuga 2023 lent courage and confidence. In the Cologne exhibition halls, food professionals from individual gastronomy establishments, food service and system catering businesses once again benefited from the perfect combination of new products, international trends and unique congresses and events,” said Hartges.
“As the decade-long industry sponsor of Anuga, we were delighted to personally greet so many members, partners, companions and friends from the industry in our DEHOGA Lounge and engage in an exchange with them - this is more important than ever today."
