The International Food and Drink Event is UK's largest and most successful food and drink exhibition for the past 40 years. The trade show facilitates new business opportunities, showcases unique products and services, and offers guests the opportunity to sample these as well as enjoy interactive events. The exhibition offers product pavilions, live demonstrations, workshops, an intensive conference program and also provides insight into market trends, consumer preferences, innovations and best practices in the food industry.
This year's event was held on 25-27 March at Excel, London and targeted a wide audience of buyers and food and beverage professionals from the retail, catering, wholesale, distribution, import, and export sectors who could connect with global brands, leading food and beverage suppliers and manufacturers of high-quality foods.
The show hosted over 30,000 visitors from 91 countries and more than 1,500 exhibitors across all aspects of the food industry, from growing raw materials to warehouse logistics and is divided into nine sections.
In addition to brands from across the UK, the event also provided a platform for suppliers from more than 65 countries including Australia, Poland, Sri Lanka, Italy, India, Ukraine, Peru and welcomed dignitaries, ministers and ambassadors from Czechia, Vietnam, China, the United States and more.
The exhibition was held alongside four other events: IFE Manufacturing;
IFE 2024 in London offered a wide range of categories:
This year’s event saw the addition of several new show sections, with the launch of the Cheese Pavilion reflecting a growing desire from visitors to the show and a new Hot Beverages Pavilion launched within Drinks @ HRC & IFE.
The launch of the Fresh Produce Section was a success, with visitor enjoying the addition of a diverse new sector to the event and live chef demonstration from chefs including Top Chef Brazil Winner Luciana Berry and Sexy Fish Head Chef Mattia Ricci.
IFE’s Future Food Stage saw a wide range of speakers and panel discussions covering everything from retail and AI to wholesale trends to inspiring women-led businesses. The session 'Navigating The Startup Scene - Advice From Those In The Know' saw Christarose Maphosa, Buying Manager at Tesco, Kelly Orme, Buying Manager - Community Buying at Co-op and Superfoodio Co-Founders Nirali and Jagir Mankodi discussing how retailers are supporting startups in their growth journey.
IFE’s show floor was awash with new product launches and innovative new brands, from the event’s popular Startup Market section to new ranges and products from established brands in the food & drink sector. New launches included:
- Boba Box showcased its latest bubble tea creations including the indulgently rich Cocoa Loco and the exotic Sweet Passion, a refreshing blend of honey peach syrup, passion fruit jam, soda water, and raspberry juice balls.
- Indian entrepreneur Arjun Talwar launched Bervera, a pure coconut water with natural electrolytes and hydration benefits.
- Vertical farm Ro-Gro launched pioneering microgreens in collaboration with plant and microbiology research institute the John Innes Centre, food and health bioscience facility, the Quadram Institute, and indoor farming tech firm LettUs Grow, resulting in the very first pea shoots biofortified with vitamin B12 coming to market.
- Atlante launched Vitto, a new brand introducing a range of well-known and loved Italian products into the UK market.
- Seafish UK launched a brand-new Asian-inspired range of tastebud tantalising products.
- In response to the call for a quick hydrate, meat replacement ingredients suitable for a wide range of uses, Novo Farina’s NPD team produced two new products - Quick Hydrate Pea Mince and Quick Hydrate Pea Chunk.
- French bakery manufacturer Bridor launched new Lenôtre Mini Tartelettes, designed to give caterers and foodservice outlets the opportunity to serve customers with an exquisite Viennese pastry.
The show included events such as the World Food Innovation Awards in partnership with FoodBev Media. Highlights included:
- MHP won Best Meat/Poultry Product with CHICK&GO;
- THIS™ - Best Food Innovation with THIS™ Isn’t Chicken Wings;
- SUPERKEEN won Best New/Start-up Business;
- Koa Switzerland won Best CSR/Sustainability Initiative for its programme of up-cycling the cocoa pulp to reduce waste, promote sustainability and improve farmers livelihood.
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