The fifth edition of Anuga Select China officially concluded on 29 April 2026 at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center (Futian), delivering exceptional results that reaffirm the event’s position as a premier annual trade platform for the global food and beverage industry. Organised by Koelnmesse, the China Chamber of Commerce of I/E of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products and Shenzhen Retail Business Association, the show saw robust international participation and record-breaking business matching activity.
With a powerful blend of international sourcing, future-driven technology, and dynamic business matching, the show welcomed 10,732 unique trade visitors, professional buyers, industry leaders, and decision-makers from 69 countries and regions.
Mr. Michiel Kruse, Managing Director of Koelnmesse (Beijing) Co., Ltd. said, “Anuga Select China has proven itself as a true meeting place for the global food community – where international expertise meets local market realities, and where business partnerships take shape. The energy and engagement we witnessed this year reaffirm that Southern China, and particularly the Greater Bay Area, is a vital gateway for F&B growth.”
Strong Global Turnout and Expanded International Footprint
This year’s edition brought together 628 premium exhibitors from 32 countries and regions, covering the entire F&B value chain – from raw ingredients to endconsumer experiences. The event significantly expanded its international presence, featuring national and regional pavilions from Côte d’Ivoire, the European Union, Ecuador, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Poland, South Korea, Türkiye, the UK, Uruguay, and Thailand. Notable participants included the National Meat Institute of Uruguay, the Chamber of Commerce of Ecuador, the Korean Ginseng Growers Association of Geumsan, Thailand’s national soy milk brand Lactoasoy and Germany’s century-old olive oil brand Brändle.
The strong international turnout reflects sustained global confidence in the Chinese market. Despite global economic headwinds, international F&B players view China as an indispensable strategic priority. Many exhibitors leveraged the Anuga Select China in Shenzhen to expand omni-channel distribution across China’s dynamic consumer landscape.
Domestic participation was equally robust, with over 150 enterprises from Jiangxi, Hunan, Shaanxi, Liaoning, Jilin, Ningxia, Zhejiang, and China State Farm showcasing regional specialties and local brand innovations. Leading companies such as YANGQI, U100, and HUANGJI also brought their latest products, offering new trend-setting directions and solutions to the market. Their presence offered buyers a complete view of both the global and domestic food and beverage landscape.
The strong showing from China’s regional pavilions signals renewed vitality and confidence in the domestic market. As local food producers move beyond traditional commodity exports toward branded, value-added offerings that emphasize quality and distinct regional identity. This domestic momentum, combined with sustained international interest, creates a powerful dual-engine driving force for the entire F&B ecosystem.
Exhibitors reported significant business wins and praised the show’s ability to unlock opportunities in Southern China and beyond.
“The show featured a well-organised layout and professional service. The organiser leveraged their extensive network to build a strong business platform, connecting us with global partners and facilitating valuable industry exchanges and cooperation. We appreciate the meticulous preparation and look forward to future editions.” said Aleksandra, Business Development Manager of Polish Investment & Trade Agency
“We connected with a number of high-quality clients on-site and also engaged with several potential cooperation partners. Our company sees great potential in the Shenzhen market and believes this exhibition is well worth further investment. Overall, we found great value in participating,” said Victoria Tang, Head of Brand, Marketing Department, Amulet International Pty Ltd
Technology and Innovation Take the Spotlight
A key highlight was the upgraded Anuga Select China FoodTec Showcase, which put the spotlight on production innovation, sustainable processing, smart packaging, and supply chain optimisation. Leading technology providers including Bigtem, Matcon, Quadro, and Starick demonstrated integrated solutions spanning production, packaging, food safety, and digital automation – injecting fresh momentum into the industry’s green and high-efficiency transition.
A Rich Lineup of Awards, Forums, and Culinary Experiences
Beyond the exhibition floor, Anuga Select China 2026 hosted a comprehensive agenda of side events that sparked industry dialogue and celebrated innovation:
- Innova X ACH 2026 Food & Beverage Trend Innovation Pioneer Award – Honoring 14 trailblazing products and concepts shaping the future of the F&B sector.
- Chocolate Salon China – A premier gathering for chocolate artisans and confectionery experts.
- The 5th Global Food Retail Market Trends Forum – Featuring deep dives into evolving consumer behaviour and retail strategies.
- The 3rd Fermented Food and Nutrition Health Forum – Offering expert insights on functional ingredients and traditional fermentation technologies.
Across the all forums, 38 industry experts led insightful sessions, attracting over 500 professional attendees on-site, who explored topics ranging from shifting consumer dynamics to functional nutrition and fermentation innovations. Culinary professionals were drawn to immersive experiences such as the Taste the Seasons – East-West Culinary Challenge. The live competition proved to be a major focal point for industry buyers, delivering diverse cross-cultural culinary moments that showcased how seasonal ingredients can be applied in innovative ways. The enthusiastic response from attendees erscored the event’s success in highlighting emerging market trends and creative product applications.
Equally compelling was the Foodie Space, where live cooking and tasting sessions drew invited guests and sustained buyer attention. Three exclusive showcases – the UK Premium Pork Exclusive, Irresistible Europe: Live Cooking & Tasting, and Uruguayan Beef Exclusive – each offered buyers a direct taste of authentic international ingredients while demonstrating practical product applications and future market directions. The sessions generated strong positive feedback, reinforcing the Foodie space as a vital platform for experiential learning and industry networking.
Targeted Business Matching Delivers Real Results
To maximise trade efficiency, the show proactively leveraged partnerships with key players, industry media, and leading trade organisations from Guangzhou, Dongguan, Zhuhai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Macao, and beyond. As a result, the event successfully invited 183 qualified buyers to attend on-site business matching activities.
Through pre-alignment of exhibitor product portfolios and verified procurement needs, the show curated dedicated sourcing sessions and one-on-one meetings designed to drive real business outcomes. A total of 10 specialised buyer delegations (both domestic and international) participated, alongside six matchmaking sessions covering retail, e-commerce, import/distribution, group community buying, and catering sectors. These highly focused engagements effectively bridged supply and demand, delivering real business value for all participating exhibitors and buyers.
Market Feedback Underscores Strong Outcomes
“I came to this exhibition looking for quality imported food, especially from Europe and South America. The exhibition is well-organized with great crowds and a rich mix of brands and countries. I will definitely come back next year,” said Jacky Xia, Purchasing Manager, Yingpan (Shanghai) Industrial Co., Ltd. (epermarket)
“We operate a multi-brand restaurant chain in Switzerland. This is my first time at the show, and I’m super excited to see what the distributors have to offer. Our goal is to discover new products, drinks, and the packaging industry is also of great interest to us. Given the limitations of our local market, we’re here to explore international brands and identify potential products we could import to Switzerland,” said Claudio Affolter from Crafthouse GmbH Building on the momentum of the 2026 edition, Anuga Select China will return in 2027 with an even greater focus on international pavilions, technological showcases, and high-impact business matching – continuing its mission to drive F&B growth across Asia.
For more information about Anuga Select China, please visit:
https://www.anuga-china.com/
