To close the event, two major announcements were made for Cibus Tec 2026: the bid to host World Pasta Day 2026, and new initiatives focused on Africa.
The high participation, both domestic and international, confirmed the strategic relevance of food technology — a sector in constant evolution and growing attractiveness. The second edition of Cibus Tec Forum served as an authoritative platform for dialogue, hosting high-profile speakers in Parma across a programme of more than 20 seminars and conferences, enriched by a dedicated start-up area and the Talent Academy — all of which contributed to a high-level debate and helped outline development trajectories for the entire supply chain.
Cibus Tec Forum was also a bridge toward the next edition of Cibus Tec (27–30 October 2026), which is expected to be even larger than the already successful 2023 edition. With record numbers forecast and rising interest from international operators, the event is poised to reaffirm its role as the global reference platform for innovation in food and beverage technology. The international visibility of both events — launched under KPE Koeln Parma Exhibitions, the alliance between Koelnmesse GmbH and Fiere di Parma — now extends well beyond national borders, reaching key global markets and further consolidating Italy’s role as a hub of excellence in the sector.
Looking ahead to next year’s edition, Italian know-how is increasingly at centre stage worldwide: Cibus Tec 2026 is officially bidding to host World Pasta Day 2026, the international event promoted by Unione Italiana Food and the International Pasta Organisation (IPO), which celebrates two globally recognised Italian excellences — pasta and the technologies for its production and packaging.
With an eye on emerging markets, Cibus Tec is also strengthening its commitment to Africa through a roadshow with stops in Senegal, Kenya and South Africa, with the objective of giving a major boost to Made in Italy in those countries and promoting Italian processing and packaging technologies in the African markets with the highest development potential. These missions — organised in synergy with leading national and international institutional partners — will offer Italian companies the opportunity to establish new commercial and industrial relationships with top local food companies, as well as with distributors and agents specialising in food technology.
Thomas Rosolia, President of Koeln Parma Exhibitions, said at the close of Cibus Tec Forum 2025: “This new edition of Cibus Tec Forum only confirms the consistency and vision of our project. We’ve created a unique trade-fair model that harmonises all major food and foodtech fairs to enhance skills, transfer know-how and, above all, drive global synergies that would otherwise be unattainable — all while keeping central the driving role of Italy, superbly represented here in Parma.”
Antonio Cellie, CEO of Koeln Parma Exhibitions, underlined: “The numbers of Cibus Tec Forum and Labotec demonstrate that smart trade-fair formats can deliver a business experience of exceptional added value in highly technological industrial sectors. In just two days, we gathered expertise, professionalism and innovation at the show, offering all participants a high-quality networking opportunity.” He added, “all in perfect synergy with partner Koelnmesse, which once again reinforces our authority and confirms Parma and the Food Valley in a strategic, central position in the Italian and global Food & FoodTech ecosystem.”
The 2025 edition of Cibus Tec Forum featured CFT as Platinum Sponsor — a company with deep roots in the Food Valley and an international player in turnkey solutions for the food and beverage industry, recognised for its constant commitment to innovation, sustainability and enhancement of the Made in Italy supply chain.
The first edition of Labotec — the first and only national expo-conference dedicated to technologies and innovations for research and analytical laboratories — also closed on a highly positive note. It was held concurrently with Cibus Tec Forum. The second edition of Labotec will take place in Parma on 27–28 October 2026 during the four-day Cibus Tec 2026 (27–30 October).
For more information:
www.cibustecforum.it
