Bangkok, Thailand, 3 June 2026 – THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026 concluded in Bangkok with global food trade buyers and suppliers putting the show on the map as a priority hub for sourcing diversification and cultivating long-term business relationships that transcend Asia’s borders.
Held from 26–30 May 2026 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, the show convened its largest edition yet with 94,685 unique trade visitors from 148 countries/regions. This was also its most diverse stage with 3,590 exhibitors from 56 countries and regions across an expanded 140,000 sqm platform that featured the newly created Hall 4, offering buyers a clear, seamless journey taking them from trends and product discovery to evaluation in one place.
Amidst the growth in the show’s scale, a more visible rise was spotted: International buyers are investing and trusting in THAIFEX – Anuga Asia as a solid geographic priority to procure and build commercial opportunities.
“Southeast Asia is one of the world’s most vibrant food and beverage markets. Through THAIFEX – Anuga Asia, Koelnmesse, together with our co-organisers, connects thousands of companies with new customers, partners and growth opportunities across the region and beyond. The participation of 98 companies from the European Union as this year’s Partner Region highlights the event’s growing international relevance,” said Mr Gerald Böse, CEO, Koelnmesse GmbH.
GLOBAL MARKETS TURN TO THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA AS MEETING POINT FOR FOOD TRADE
This year’s edition earmarked THAIFEX – Anuga Asia as a highly competitive and commercially necessary meeting point for established export markets and emerging food-producing regions alike. The number of organised country and provincial group participation rose from 50 to 60 this year, which included expanded countries/regions from South America, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe, such as Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, and Uzbekistan.
Elevating participation to a Country/Provincial Group was a strategic move by exhibitors looking to not only expand presence but draw in greater captive buyer audiences through establishing dedicated national pavilions at the show.
“We organised the second edition of the Chile-ASEAN business meeting during THAIFEX – Anuga Asia, the most recognised food trade platform in the region, giving us direct access to the buyers that matter most to Chilean exporters. Through our business matching programme, we facilitated more than 300 meetings between Chilean companies and ASEAN buyers, generating projected short-term sales exceeding USD 7 million. More importantly, the show helps us build long-term commercial relationships across Southeast Asia’s priority markets.”
— Ignacio Fernández, Director General, ProChile
New market participants also reported strong commercial outcomes.
“Our debut experience at THAIFEX – Anuga Asia has been extremely positive. We have secured successful leads into the Asia market with close to 35 concrete meetings and at least 14 signed contracts that have a minimum combined value of USD 980,000. This show has really delivered in terms of access to quality buyer leads and we’re looking forward to building this momentum in Asia.”
— Mazan Alquraish, Head of Exports Empowerment and Qualification Department, National Centre for Palms and Dates, Saudi Arabia
North Asia maintained a particularly strong presence at this year’s edition, led by South Korea’s participation across 11 provincial groups and multiple ministries, alongside Japan’s eight provincial delegations.
“The show’s bigger international stage this year has enabled us to cast our net wider to markets such as the Middle East and North America. Two days in here and we are already close to concluding around 350 deals for Japan – this is more than last year’s record. This is why THAIFEX – Anuga Asia continues to be a key calendar moment for us.”
— Koike Hiroyuki, Director, Agriculture and Food Department, Japan External Trade Organization
Southeast Asia remained a key driver of business activity throughout the week.
“We came to THAIFEX – Anuga Asia as a country pavilion to get even more direct access to quality global buyers. This diversity has enabled us to drive better momentum for Philippine exporters with buyer leads beyond Asia. We’ve wrapped with a total of USD32.9 million in confirmed and prospective sales in our four days here – a true testament to the event’s power as a global sourcing and networking platform.”
— Aprille C. Robles, Project Director, Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization
HALL 4 SHOWCASES THE FUTURE OF FOOD
A major addition to the 2026 edition was Hall 4, a dedicated hub bringing together innovation, insights, startups, and new-to-market products.
Designed around the buyer journey, Hall 4 enabled visitors to move from trend discovery and market intelligence to product evaluation and supplier engagement in one integrated space.
Highlights included the Future Food Experience+ with 60 speakers, the New to Market Street, Startup Showcase, Trend Zone by Innova Market Insights, the tasteInnovation Show, the Alternative Protein Taste & Flavour Challenge, and Taste the Future, a curated tasting experience featuring emerging food innovations.
“We’re happy to have continued to exhibit here for at least 10 to 15 years and seeing the show grow to become the stage and network for the entire supply chain, from suppliers, manufacturers, to the end-consumers. This is a core event in Asia for industry peers looking to build knowledge, network, find inspiration and be a part of game-changing transformations. It is the trade fair not to be missed.”
— Dr. Phontakorn Wongcharoen, Vice President, Thai Future Food Trade Association & VP of Food Innovation Center / Global Sourcing, Betagro PCL
PLX ASIA INTRODUCES THE NEXT CHAPTER OF PRIVATE LABEL IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
A key milestone during this year’s edition was the introduction of the upcoming PLX Asia 2027 through the inaugural PLX Asia Industry Leadership Summit, which brought together more than 200 senior decision-makers in related industries for a high-level, closed-door content and networking programme. The summit marked the first industry introduction of PLX Asia ahead of its inaugural standalone exhibition in September 2027, which will connect retailers, manufacturers, and brand owners across Southeast Asia’s private label and contract manufacturing ecosystem.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2027
Building on the momentum of this year’s edition, preparations are already underway for next year’s THAIFEX – Anuga Asia, taking place from 25-29 May 2027, THAIFEX – HOREC Asia from 2-5 March 2027, as well as the inaugural standalone edition of PLX Asia from 8-9 September 2027. Together, these platforms further strengthen Southeast Asia’s position as a strategic hub for sourcing, food innovation, hospitality, and private label development.
For more information, visit: https://thaifex-anuga.com/, https://thaifex-horec.asia/ and https://plxasia.com/.
THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026, one of Asia’s largest F&B trade shows, focuses on food and beverage trade, global sourcing, and market expansion. THAIFEX – HOREC Asia focuses on hospitality and foodservice solutions. PLX Asia is Southeast Asia’s dedicated platform for private label and contract manufacturing.
Jointly organised by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), and Koelnmesse, these three events form a cohesive ecosystem spanning food and beverage trade, hospitality, retail, manufacturing, and private label development across the region.
