13-15 April 2027
13th International Food & Drink,
Food Processing and Packaging Exhibition
EXPO XXI Warszawa, 12/14 I. Prądzyńskiego Street
13-15 April 2027
13th International Food & Drink, Food Processing and Packaging Exhibition
EXPO XXI Warszawa, 12/14 I. Prądzyńskiego Street
On April 14–16, 2026, the twelfth edition of the International Food and Beverage Exhibition WorldFood Poland 2026 took place at the EXPO XXI exhibition center in Warsaw. This year’s event confirmed its position as one of the most important meetings of the food industry in Central and Eastern Europe, attracting 7,535 participants, 370 exhibitors from 30 countries, as well as a wide range of buyers, experts, and representatives of industry institutions.
The growing scale of the event, strong international representation, and intensive B2B meeting program clearly demonstrate that WorldFood Poland 2026 is becoming not only a place to showcase products and services, but also a platform for real business decisions and export development.
This year’s edition of the exhibition was inaugurated with an official opening ceremony attended by representatives of the organizers and industry institutions. Agnieszka Szpaderska, Fair Director, emphasized that WorldFood Poland 2026 is today not only an exhibition event, but above all a meeting space for international business, where “relationships and development directions for the entire Central and Eastern European region are created.”.
Jan Szopiński, Deputy Director General of the National Support Centre for Agriculture, highlighted the importance of promoting Polish food products and the need to build long-term trade relationships, wishing participants “fruitful meetings and discussions throughout all exhibition days.” Meanwhile, Andrzej Gantner, Vice President and Director General of the Polish Federation of Food Producers, referred to current geopolitical and economic challenges, emphasizing that in the face of market volatility, international trade and cooperation remain essential.
The perspective of the nutraceutical sector was presented by Bartosz Demianiuk, President of the National Council of Supplements and Nutritional Products, who pointed to the dynamic growth of the sector and the increasing role of Poland as an important exporter of dietary supplements, already present on many international markets.
This year’s edition brought together 370 exhibitors representing the full spectrum of the food market – food and beverage producers, the nutraceutical sector and ingredients, as well as technologies, logistics, and packaging solutions.
Time for a brief summary! During the three exhibition days, the event welcomed almost 8,000 industry professionals. A total of 370 exhibitors from 30 countries participated, further highlighting the international character of the exhibition. The programme also featured a wide range of engaging lectures and discussions focused on the future of the industry and beyond.
During WorldFood Poland, 38 presentations and 10 panel discussions took place, with a combined duration of nearly 24 hours. The conference agenda would not have been possible without the organisations invited to co-create the exhibition’s substantive programme and this year there were as many as 46 of them.
WorldFood Poland 2026 once again attracted companies and organisations from around the world. The exhibitors included both individual companies and numerous national representations. This year, participants had the opportunity to visit pavilions from Italy, Ukraine, Hungary, China, Thailand, Cyprus, Andalusia, and Sicily.
The largest groups of visitors came from Poland, as well as Ukraine, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Italy, clearly demonstrating the growing importance of the exhibition as a meeting point for European markets and international partners.
As every year, one of the key pillars of the event was the VIP Buyer Programme, which consistently strengthens the business-oriented character of the exhibition. This year’s edition welcomed as many as 144 buyers representing retail chains and distributors from Poland and abroad. Their presence resulted in intensive business discussions, the search for new products, and the development of relationships between manufacturers and distribution channels.
The programme provides real support for companies planning expansion both on the domestic and international markets and remains one of the most important elements distinguishing WorldFood Poland from other industry events of this kind.
The extensive conference programme of WorldFood Poland 2026 focused on the most pressing challenges currently facing the food industry – from the competitiveness of the agri-food sector in the context of new EU trade agreements, through export development and expansion into Central and Eastern European markets, to changing consumer behaviours and the directions shaping the products of the future.
During the panel discussions and presentations, experts addressed topics such as building margins amid growing cost pressures, successfully introducing products to foreign markets (including compliance and labelling processes), as well as the role of innovation in meeting the expectations of the 2030 consumer.
An important topic was also the financial stability of companies, including liquidity management, process optimisation, and the use of outsourcing and tools supporting business growth. Regulatory issues also attracted significant interest, including changes in advertising regulations and food safety requirements.
The programme also covered emerging product categories such as functional food, apitherapy, and the use of industrial hemp in nutrition.
The third day of the exhibition expanded the agenda with technological and operational topics, including the digitalisation of packaging production, microbiological safety, innovations in energy efficiency, and the transformation of the food industry.
An integral part of the event were the culinary contests and live cooking shows organised as part of Gastrotargi SMAKKi, which attracted crowds of visitors and gave the exhibition a unique and dynamic atmosphere. The stage brought together professionals from the gastronomy industry, showcasing not only their skills but also the latest directions in culinary development and modern food concepts.
One of the highlights was the Cup of Poland – a contest dedicated to the highest-quality coffee roasted in Poland. Coffee roasteries presented carefully prepared blends, which were evaluated anonymously by both the jury and the public in three categories: Professional Choice and Customer Choice. Thanks to this format, the competition presented different perspectives on coffee quality assessment – from expert evaluation to consumer preference.
The Vegan Culinary Challenge for professionals, Złoty Karczoch, also generated great excitement, proving that plant-based cuisine is a space for creativity and culinary experimentation. Participants created dishes based exclusively on plant ingredients, moving beyond traditional schemes and demonstrating that modern vegan cuisine can impress with flavour, presentation, and quality.
The Street Food Masters contest, aimed at creators of modern gastronomic concepts, was another major attraction. The contest reflected the dynamic growth of the street food segment, which responds to the increasing interest in diverse flavours, food sharing, and visually striking dish presentation. Participants showcased original concepts inspired by cuisines from around the world, demonstrating how street food has become one of the most creative areas of contemporary gastronomy.
An inseparable part of the exhibition was the WorldFood Poland Gold Medal Contest, which each year recognises products of the highest quality and greatest market potential. In the 2026 edition, 105 products were submitted across 9 categories. A total of 12 Gold Medals were awarded, while an additional 16 products received distinctions.
The products were evaluated by a jury composed of industry experts, including market representatives and specialists connected with the food sector. The competition remains an important promotional tool for manufacturers and a real opportunity to increase product recognition and strengthen their presence in sales channels.
The twelfth edition of WorldFood Poland clearly demonstrated that the scale of the event continues to grow consistently. The increasing number of participants year after year, the strong international presence, and the growing importance of B2B meetings confirm that the exhibition has become one of the key events in the food industry calendar for the Central and Eastern European region.
The organisers have already announced the next edition, which will take place on 13–15 April 2027 once again at EXPO XXI in Warsaw. Stand reservations are already open, and the strong interest from both exhibitors and buyers points to another major industry gathering ahead!
The success of this year’s edition of WorldFood Poland would not have been possible without the commitment of the event’s partners, sponsors, and supporting institutions. Special thanks go to the Title Sponsor, KSM-66 Ashwagandha, as well as to the institutions granting honorary patronage to the exhibition, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Marshal of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, and the National Support Centre for Agriculture.
We would also like to thank our institutional partners: the Polish Chamber of Commerce, the Polish Federation of Food Industry, the Polish Organisation of Trade and Distribution, the National Chamber of Commerce Promotion Centre, the Polish Association of Plant-Based Food Producers, the National Union of Juice Producers Association, the Polish Chefs and Pastry Chefs Association, the National Union of Fruit and Vegetable Producer Groups, Polbisco – the Polish Association of Chocolate and Confectionery Producers, the Association of Butchers and Meat Processors of the Republic of Poland, the Union of Producers and Employers of the Meat Industry, the Polish Potato Federation, and Polska Ekologia.
The organisers also extend their gratitude to all industry and media partners, as well as to all participants whose presence and engagement contributed to building a strong international cooperation platform for the agri-food sector. The official carrier of the event was LOT Polish Airlines.
