Cibus Tec 2026 heads toward a record-breaking edition

In the elegant setting of Terrazza Martini, one of the most iconic locations in Milan’s skyline, the 54th edition of Cibus Tec was presented. The event will take place in Parma from 27 to 30 October 2026. It provided a prestigious stage to unveil the figures, innovations, and ambitions of a trade fair aiming to further strengthen its international dimension and its role as a key reference point for food & beverage technologies, from processing to packaging.

The press conference was opened by Thomas Rosolia, President of Koeln Parma Exhibitions and CEO of Koelnmesse Italia, who highlighted how Koelnmesse’s contribution acts as a strategic accelerator for the growth of Cibus Tec and for its positioning in global markets.

A highly promising edition

With several months still to go before opening, Cibus Tec 2026 is already close to a full sell-out of exhibition space, confirming strong market interest and a growing number of exhibitors compared to the same period of the previous edition. Forecasts indicate more than 1,300 exhibitors and brands, over 40,000 square metres of exhibition space, and a further expansion of international participation, with foreign exhibitors and brands expected to exceed 30%.

Visitor expectations are also very positive: the fair aims to surpass 40,000 professional attendees, with an increasing share of international visitors. The Top Buyers Program will bring more than 3,000 qualified international buyers to Parma. A particular focus will also be placed on the African continent, with over 100 new top buyers coming from high-potential markets for food technology development.

“Cibus Tec is the only event capable of bringing together, in a single place, all the technology and innovation supply chains for the food & beverage industry: from dairy to canned foods, from wine to beer, up to more specialised processing sectors,” added Antonio Cellie, CEO of Koeln Parma Exhibitions and Fiere di Parma. “Here, technology transfer becomes tangible, because we showcase the full spectrum of innovations transforming the industry

Strategic partnerships for beverages and pasta

Among the most significant new developments for the 2026 edition is the collaboration with Federvini, which strengthens the presence of the beverage supply chain within the exhibition. The agreement will bring leading companies supplying technologies and solutions for the wine sector to Parma, gathered in a dedicated area in Hall 3. Key themes for the industry will include sustainability, technological innovation, regulatory developments, and international competitiveness, which will also be discussed during a workshop scheduled for 29 October.

“We are pleased to launch this collaboration, focusing on sustainability also in light of recent legislative changes,” commented Gabriele Castelli, Director of Federvini.

Another major highlight is the agreement with World Pasta Day, the leading international event dedicated to the pasta supply chain promoted by Unione Italiana Food and the International Pasta Organisation (IPO). For the first time since its creation in 1998, it will be hosted in Parma and at Cibus Tec. Scheduled for 27–28 October in Hall 2, the event will bring together producers, industry associations, technology companies, retailers, and operators from around the world.

The partnership represents a natural convergence between two symbols of Italian excellence: World Pasta Day, celebrating one of the most iconic foods of Italian cuisine, and Cibus Tec, which showcases its entire technological value chain—from raw material processing to packaging and distribution.

“This partnership confirms the importance of innovation in pasta, which even in 2025 and in the early months of 2026, despite international tensions, has maintained strong global appreciation,” said Cristiano Laurenza, Director of Legal, Economic and International Affairs at Unione Italiana Food and Secretary General of the IPO.

One in four plates of pasta worldwide is Italian

Italy remains the world capital of pasta. The country accounts for around 24% of global production and exports 59% of its domestic output. Notably, one in four plates of pasta consumed worldwide—and about three in four in Europe—is made with Italian pasta.

Unionfood data for 2025 shows that, compared to 2024, production volumes increased by +0.8% and export volumes by +2.1%, while production value decreased slightly by -1.9% and export value by -1.2%. This is partly due to a natural market adjustment following the extraordinary dynamics recorded in the post-pandemic years.

Packaging technologies in Hall 2

Particular attention will be given to food packaging technologies, an increasingly strategic area in light of new EU regulations on packaging sustainability and growing market demand for efficiency, recyclability, and process optimisation.

Special projects

Cibus Tec 2026 will feature a wide-ranging programme of special areas, conferences, and events designed to foster connections between technologies, expertise, and people, offering opportunities for training and networking across the entire supply chain. Artificial intelligence, automation, process digitalisation, and data valorisation will be central to discussions among experts, companies, and industry professionals, with the aim of exploring how new technologies can enhance competitiveness, safety, and sustainability in food production.

Among the initiatives are the Demo Factory, featuring live demonstrations of three highly automated and fully operational production lines; the Startup Area, showcasing selected innovative projects and solutions; and the Talent Academy, developed with the support of Cisita Parma, promoting dialogue between education and industry. The 2026 edition will also host the Food 5.0 conference on 30 October, “From AI to automation: for safe and competitive productio, organised by SPS Italia. Cibus Tec 2026 will take place alongside the second edition of Labotec, a leading event for laboratory analysis innovation and technologies. The fair brings together multiple industrial sectors in a single setting, strengthening its content thanks to the increasingly central role of laboratory technologies in the food & beverage industry.

From this edition onwards, admission to both fairs will be free of charge, with the aim of encouraging broader participation by professionals and enhancing the dissemination of technical and scientific content.