Orientation in a dynamic industry: ISM 2026 connects markets worldwide

27 January 2026

Top-class exhibitor portfolio +++ Record number of country pavilions +++ New participations strengthen the international profile +++ ISM Opening Night kicks off the trade fair week +++ Product tastings, lectures, creator formats and further highlights

When leading players from the industry, trade and the supplier sector come to Cologne at the beginning of February, the focus will be on initiating business, the exchange and networking. From 1 to 4 February 2026, ISM 2026 serves as the international platform for personal encounters, new partnerships and sustainable market development. The leading global trade fair for sweets and snacks is taking place as an expanded trade fair alliance for the first time. Together with ProSweets Cologne, the only supplier trade fair specifically for the sweets and snacks industry, and ISM Ingredients, the new trade fair for raw materials, ingredients and semi-finished products, a holistic trade fair concept is being created that covers the entire value chain. Around 1,600 companies from 72 countries – including many international market and global market leaders – will present their latest products and innovations on around 100,000 square metres of space. An international share of 89 percent underlines the global significance of the world's leading trade fair.

Once again, the participants of ISM 2026 come from all corners of the world. The ten country participations with the highest number of exhibitors include – apart from Germany – Italy, Belgium, China, Spain, Turkey, the Netherlands, Poland, Great Britain, France and Greece.

The upcoming edition is also setting new benchmarks in terms of group stands: With 39 pavilions from 29 countries and regions, the number of country pavilions has reached a record level. New pavilions from Japan, Morocco, Thailand and the Ukraine additionally enhance the international profile of the trade fair.

Top-class exhibitor portfolio
The exhibitor portfolio underscores ISM's very well-established market position. German companies participating include among others Dietrich Borggreve, Brandt, Cavendish & Harvey, Coppenrath Feingebäck, Genuport, Gubor, Halloren, hitschler, Katjes, Dr. Klaus Karg, Klett Schokolade, Herbert Kluth, Krüger, Kuchenmeister, Lambertz, Pertzborn, Piasten, Ragolds, Reber, Schluckwerder, Conrad Schulte, Seitenbacher, Storz, Trolli, WAWI, Wicklein, Windel and XOX. Particularly worth mentioning is the return of the company Ritter, who is taking part again for the first time since 2020 – a strong signal for the German market.

From abroad, the exhibitors comprise among others, Baronie, Bifa Biscuits, Canel's, Cloetta Holland, Colombina, Doumak, Elah-Dufour, Elvan, Fazer (with their own exhibition stand for the first time), Ferrara, Fini, Halba, ICAM, Kambly, Kervan, Kras, Lindt & Sprüngli SpA, Loacker, Manner, Millano, Millennium, Morinaga, Mount Franklin Foods, Natra, Nestlé Italiana, Neuhaus, Orkla, Peccin, Riclan, Roshen, Shenzhen Amos Sweets, Sölen, Toms, Tootsie Roll, Valeo Foods, Valor, Vidal, Want Want China, Wawel as well as Walker’s Shortbread again. The traditional British manufacturer will be represented at ISM with its own exhibition stand again in 2026.

The strong exhibitor presence is also reflected on the visitors side. All relevant national and international trading companies have confirmed their participation. Top buyers already registered include Aeon Co., Aldi, Amazon, Bartels-Langness, Carrefour, Conad, Coop, Costco Wholesale Corporation, Edeka Gruppe, E-Mart, Globus, Lotte Shopping, Mercadona, Migros Switzerland, Rewe Group, Rossmann, Salling Group, Sam’s Club (Walmart), Schwarz Group, Tesco and many more.

Event highlights of ISM 2026
With a clearly focused event programme, ISM 2026 is setting content-related highlights. The Expert Stage on the Central Boulevard serves as the central knowledge hub and offers practical insights, examples of best practice and current industry developments.

The Talks & Tasting Stage, the joint stage of ISM and ProSweets Cologne, in Hall 10.1 is being significantly expanded in 2026. It combines product tastings, live podcasts and creator formats into an interactive experience.

A particular highlight is the ISM Award, which is being presented during the new ISM Opening Night on the first day of the fair in the Confex at Koelnmesse for the first time. The event forms the festive prelude of the trade fair week.

In the scope of the Lab5 by ISM, the trade fair places the spotlight on innovations. The new theme section "ISM Functional Sweets" is being staged in Hall 10.1 for the first time in 2026. This area is dedicated to the growing market for functional sweets and unites 12 participants from 4 countries. The area is complemented by the New Product Showcase featuring over 150 of the exhibitors' new products.

Koelnmesse is the organiser of ISM and its industry sponsor is the International Sweets and Biscuits Fair Task Force (AISM).

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