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WorldFood Poland 2026 – a record-breaking edition that set the direction for the food industry
A record number of exhibitors, 7,535 visitors, and three days full of debates, showcases, and tastings confirmed that WorldFood Poland is now the leading platform for meetings and inspiration for the food industry. This year’s edition combined presentations of products from around the world, practical expert knowledge, and discussions shaping the future of the market, creating an event that connects the entire value chain of the food and beverage sector.
At the WorldFood Poland International Food and Beverage Trade Fair, held together with SMAKKi Gastro Fair, the organiser succeeded in creating a unique space where care for the quality, attractiveness, diversity, and safety of food was present throughout all the exhibition days. The event, complemented by the offer of exhibitors from the ColdChain Poland sector focused on efficient logistics for the industry, gave participants a comprehensive view of the market — from innovative product, through safe transport, to effective sales.
Agnieszka Szpaderska, Business Development and Strategic Projects Director, summed up this year’s edition as a success, which was confirmed by the figures: a record 370 exhibitors, 7,535 visitors, as well as the energy accompanying the discussions and demonstrations.
“I would like to thank the exhibitors, experts, and all partners thanks to whom we created such a multidimensional event. WorldFood Poland is not only about presenting products and solutions or building sales networks. The fair has become a place for public debate and exchange of views. We are developing a common position for the industry, which I hope will influence the shaping of practices and regulations at both national and international level. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to all representatives of the industry who visited the event — without them, there would be no success,” said Agnieszka Szpaderska.
A visit to the fair was like stepping into a colourful and flavourful world of products from across the globe. Exhibitors from Poland and abroad — including Italy, Spain, Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Cyprus, Thailand, India, and Korea — encouraged visitors to taste specialties representing more than 1,500 different brands. Almost half of them were foreign products, often unavailable through regular retail channels.
“I would already like to invite everyone to the next edition of the WorldFood Poland International Food and Beverage Trade Fair, which will take place on 13–15 April 2027 at EXPO XXI in Warsaw. I encourage everyone to contact our team so that together we can co-create an even better event that responds to the needs of the entire industry,” added Agnieszka Szpaderska.
Discussions and demands – what is the food industry talking about?
WorldFood became a venue for lectures and debates on the most important issues for the food market. The opinions and data presented there created a common voice for the industry, much needed in the process of economic and regulatory change.
During the panel organised by the Polish Federation of Food Producers, Employers’ Association, entitled “Challenges to the competitiveness of the agri-food sector in light of new EU trade agreements”, it was strongly emphasised that the EU must remain open to trade, but the pace of concluding new trade agreements should take into account the sensitivity of the domestic agri-food sector. Experts warned that its competitiveness is being weakened by rising labour and energy costs, as well as excessive regulations. The discussion resulted in a joint appeal for legal stability, deregulation, and a halt to new burdens. Processors, in turn, pointed out that trade agreements are an opportunity, especially for highly processed products, provided that equal rules of competition are maintained. Attention was also drawn to the need to strengthen domestic production capacity, professionalise exports, and secure greater state support for promoting and building the position of Polish food on foreign markets.
The theme of promotion and brand-building was addressed in the Teraz Polska debate entitled “The strength of Polish food brands at home and abroad.” Experts noted that growing exports to Africa and Asia show the potential of Polish food, but that success is determined above all by quality, recognisability, and credibility, which build consumer trust. Emotions and the lifestyle associated with a brand are also important. The participants pointed out that Poland still more often exports products than strong brands, and that creating a coherent national “umbrella brand” requires time, strategy, and consistent communication. It was stressed that Polish companies have great potential and export maturity, but to be visible globally they must respond better to the needs of customers and create products that stand out from the competition.
An important part of the programme was the Polska Ekologia debate entitled “Healthy and responsible – the role of organic food in collective catering.” Participants pointed to broad support for a project that would oblige collective catering establishments to indicate what percentage of the food they use consists of organic products. The new regulations could become an impulse for the development of the eco market and a tool for building competitive advantage, while also supporting short supply chains between organic farmers and the HoReCa sector. It was noted that organic food is perceived as a benchmark of quality, and that the growing health awareness of Polish consumers will drive this trend.
Trends on the plate
Plant-based cuisine is gaining exceptional importance by combining economics, ecology, and the evolution of taste. This was confirmed by the third edition of the “Golden Artichoke” competition held in the SMAKKi Gastro Fairzone, the only professional plant-based cuisine competition in Poland. Chefs from leading restaurants and hotels took part in the contest, and this year’s theme was potatoes and herbs. The jury evaluated creativity, technique, and balance of the dishes. The competition showed that Polish professionals are creating plant-based dishes at the highest level, and that the gastronomy market is ready for further development towards quality, ecology, and innovation. The list of winners was published on the fair’s website.
On the second day, the SMAKKi Gastro Fair zone was taken over by the participants of the Street Food Masterscompetition, who prepared dishes assessed according to three key criteria: consistency with the idea of street food, meaning practicality, mobility, and the character of the dish, originality of flavour and texture combinations, and the use of sponsors’ products. The competition once again showed that street food is a space of enormous creativity, and that participants are able to combine flavour, technique, and inventiveness with the realities of street cuisine. The teams recognised by the professional jury can be found here.
Cup of Poland, in turn, is a prestigious competition for coffee enthusiasts held during the SMAKKi Coffee Festival, in which the best Polish roasteries competed for the title of producer of the highest-quality coffee in the country. The contest was held in three categories, allowing coffee to be assessed from the perspective of consumers, festival visitors, and professional sensory judges. All samples were anonymous, and the jurors evaluated only the taste, aroma, and character of the espresso, guaranteeing full objectivity. The competition once again showed the dynamic development of the Polish specialty coffee scene and the growing awareness of quality among roasteries and consumers. The list of winning companies can be found here.
Exhibitors on the strength of trade fair meetings
One exhibitor that presented and spoke about its product in a particularly thoughtful way was MK Agro, which, in addition to culinary shows at its stand, was also a sponsor of the “Golden Artichoke” competition. The company specialises in potato processing, and its offer includes products for HoReCa.
“We are here to show customers from the HoReCa sector how we help them optimise food cost, save time, and implement a zero-waste approach. We provide a ready-made, repeatable product of consistent quality, size, and appearance all year round, which is extremely important both for the aesthetics of a plate in a restaurant and for the certainty that the same quality and taste will be served every day,” explained Filip Piotrowski, CEO. “That was also one of the reasons why we became one of the two main sponsors of the ‘Golden Artichoke’ competition, during which young chefs competed with flavours, ideas, and innovations in plant-based cuisine,” he added.
The foundation of MK Agro is the highest quality potatoes, the tastiest varieties, supplied by trusted Polish growers who use responsible cultivation methods and with whom the company has worked for years.
“We sell our products to 17 countries, both as a simple high-quality product and as ready-made culinary concepts in sauces and marinades. In both cases, however, we follow the principles of zero preservatives, highest quality, and long shelf life,” said Filip Piotrowski.
The company focuses in particular on advanced real-time quality control systems, state-of-the-art production technologies, and packaging, providing customers with full product traceability. The success of the brand is based on partnership relations with farmers and an experienced, knowledgeable team, supported by the most modern technology available on the market, as well as strong infrastructure, including a modern storage facility with a capacity of 32,000 tonnes.
“This gives us a key advantage in supply, because it guarantees that throughout the year we will deliver a product of the same excellent quality,” said Piotrowski.
In his opinion, the company’s team, consisting of experienced and highly qualified employees, is also of great importance.
“WorldFood Poland enables us to communicate with the industry, establish contacts with chefs or directors responsible for purchasing in hotels. At our stand, we created an opportunity for chefs to spontaneously create as many as 12 recipes based on our products, and there was truly a lot of enthusiasm around it. I am happy that our offer and we as a team were warmly welcomed in such distinguished company,” emphasised Filip Piotrowski.
Meanwhile, SERTOP, one of the largest processed cheese producers in Poland with more than sixty years of tradition, focuses on product promotion and industry education.
Tomasz Szmyt, Sales and Marketing Director, pointed out that participation in WorldFood Poland is an opportunity for the company to build trust in the brand. Thanks to the presence of an ambassador, the company showcases the use of processed cheese in the HoReCa edition format so as to inspire professionals and demonstrate concrete benefits — stability, repeatable results, and control over every portion served.
“We are at WorldFood Poland for the first time and have already seen considerable interest in our offer. Our products fit into current trends such as convenience, clean label, or high-protein products. Here we can reach people working in hotels, restaurants, catering, pizzerias, burger restaurants, food trucks, or bars,” summarised Tomasz Szmyt.
Additionally, to strengthen its message, the company decided to engage in the Street Food Masters culinary competition in the SMAKKi Gastro Fair zone as a sponsor, in order to practically inspire participants to use processed cheeses in the competition dishes.
A different presentation format was chosen by representatives of the Polish Pasta Chamber, which brings together Polish producers of this product. The joint stand featured around 15 producers, for whom the fair was an opportunity to present products and strengthen individual brands.
“Although tastes are changing and different fashions appear, pasta still maintains a high level of interest among customers. Cooking programmes play a major role in promotion, but in order to attract customer attention, producers must make sure that their brand is recognisable and that their assortment keeps up with contemporary trends,” stressed Tomasz Kyzioł, Key Account Specialist at GOLDMAK Pasta Factory.
The presentation of Polish producers associated within the Chamber showed the importance of partnerships and a common voice among representatives of a given sector.
Beyond the Polish offer, WorldFood Poland also opened broad international culinary horizons for visitors. National pavilions allowed guests to taste local dishes and products and discover flavours and inspirations from around the world, including as part of the “Flavours of the World” cycle. The Bellavita zone certainly stood out, revealing the richness of Italian gastronomy to visitors.
WorldFood Poland Gold Medal – a mark of quality
The hallmark of innovation and quality at the fair is the WorldFood Poland Gold Medal Competition. For exhibitors, it is not only a competition, but above all a gateway to broad recognition. The awarded products, selected on the basis of strict criteria such as quality, taste, originality, and market potential, were presented in a special winners’ zone. These companies may also use the Gold Medal mark indefinitely on packaging, in marketing campaigns, and in brand communication. Information about this year’s winners can be found here.
Poland Fruits was a media partner of the event, and its representatives were present at stand C36 in Hall 1. Poland Fruits once again participated in WorldFood Poland as an exhibitor, actively contributing to this important industry event. Our presence at the fair provided an opportunity to meet partners, discuss market developments, and promote our activities among representatives of the food and fresh produce sectors.
The next edition of WorldFood Poland will take place on 13–15 April 2027 at EXPO XXI Centre in Warsaw, at 12/14 Prądzyńskiego Street.
More information can be found on the individual event websites:
www.worldfood.pl
www.smakki.pl
www.coldchain.pl
www.nutrafood.pl
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