Key Facts:
- foodpro 2026 returns to Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from 26-29 July, featuring over 400 exhibitors and expecting 9,000 industry professionals
- The event introduces a new FMCG segment and will host the co-located AIFST Conference across all four days, combining food science with manufacturing exhibitions
- The Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP) will provide training courses and seminars, with the PIDA Awards Gala Dinner being held alongside the event for the first time
- An Innovation Stage will offer free presentations covering automation, sustainability, and emerging technologies across all four days
- The event opens with an Industry Connect Evening on 26 July, with free visitor registration now available for industry professionals
foodpro 2026 returns as the country's only major processing and packaging trade event of the year
Melbourne, 28.05.2026 — After three years away, foodpro — Australia's leading trade event for food processing, packaging and innovation — returns to the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from 26 to 29 July 2026, bringing together more than 400 exhibitors and an expected 9,000 industry professionals across four days.
foodpro stands as the definitive gathering point for Australia's food and beverage manufacturing sector in 2026 — the one opportunity for the industry to come together, evaluate new technology, forge supplier relationships and benchmark against the best in the business.
A Show Floor Built for the Industry's Real Challenges
From processing and packaging to digital factory technology, cold chain logistics, sustainability and food science, foodpro's exhibition spans the full breadth of the food and beverage value chain. Visitors can compare solutions from 400-plus leading suppliers across ten dedicated segments, many offering live equipment demonstrations on the show floor.
For the first time in 2026, foodpro introduces a dedicated FMCG segment — connecting food manufacturers with the high-speed portioning, packing, labelling and retail-ready solutions driving the next wave of consumer goods innovation.
"foodpro is where the industry's decision-makers come to evaluate, invest and connect," said Event Director Louise Brooks. "With 400-plus exhibitors representing every part of the supply chain, this is four days that can meaningfully shape the direction of a business."
World-Class Food Science at the Co-Located AIFST Conference
In a landmark partnership for 2026, foodpro will host the co-located AIFST Conference, running concurrently across all four days. Bringing together food science professionals, researchers, regulators and industry stakeholders, the conference offers a unique dual experience — attendees can move between world-class scientific sessions and a 400-plus exhibitor trade floor within the same venue.
For food technologists, R&D managers and product development teams, it represents an unmatched opportunity to connect food science with manufacturing reality.
Packaging in Focus: AIP Training and the PIDA Awards
foodpro's partnership with the Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP) adds significant depth to the packaging content program. AIP-led mini training courses and seminars will run across the four days, covering sustainability, innovation and regulatory compliance — offering practical, certification-backed learning for packaging professionals.
In a first for the event, the Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards Gala Dinner will be held alongside foodpro on Tuesday 28 July. Celebrating the region's most innovative packaging designs and serving as the exclusive entry point to the WorldStar Packaging Awards, the PIDA Awards bring an additional layer of prestige and industry recognition to the 2026 program.
Innovation Stage: Insight from the Leaders Shaping the Industry
The Innovation Stage will deliver a curated program of presentations from industry leaders, technology pioneers and innovators — free to attend for all registered visitors. Running across all four days with up to five sessions daily, the stage covers automation advances, sustainability breakthroughs, emerging ingredients and the technologies reshaping food manufacturing at scale. For time-pressed professionals, it offers direct access to expert insight without leaving the show floor.
Opening Night: Industry Connect Evening
foodpro kicks off on the evening of Sunday 26 July with the Industry Connect Evening — a relaxed networking function over drinks and canapés at Melbourne Public, set along the Yarra River. Designed for exhibitors and visitors alike, the evening provides an informal setting to warm leads, reconnect with industry peers and set the tone for a productive week ahead. Early bird pricing is now available for a limited time.
Registration Now Open
Visitor registration for foodpro 2026 is free and now open. Professionals across food manufacturing, packaging, R&D, supply chain, technology and sustainability are encouraged to register early to access the full program and plan their visit ahead of the event.
foodpro 2026 takes place 26–29 July at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.
