foodpro 2026: bringing industry together in July

The foodpro 2026 trade event for food and beverage manufacturing returns to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 26–29 July 2026, bringing together the full supply chain of the industry under one roof for four days of cutting-edge innovation, networking and business growth.

Held once every three years, foodpro provides exhibitors with the opportunity to showcase next-generation processing, packaging, ingredients and technology to a highly targeted audience of decision-makers.

Across the show floor, foodpro 2026 will span eight key product zones, including:

• Food Science & Technology
• Ingredients & Additives
• Processing & Packaging
• Packaging Materials
• Beverage Equipment
• Intelligent & Digital Factories
• Factory Infrastructure, Logistics & Handling
• Government & Business Services

AIFST conference at foodpro

Giving the food industry even more reasons to gather in Melbourne, foodpro has announced a partnership with the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST). The AIFST 2026 conference will be held over two days — 27 and 28 July — during the four-day foodpro event.

Fiona Fleming, CEO of the AIFST, said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with foodpro 2026 — creating a powerful platform to bring the food science and technology community together with the broader food manufacturing and packaging sector. It’s an opportunity to strengthen collaboration across the industry and highlight the essential role of food scientists and technologists in shaping a safe, sustainable and innovative food future for Australia.”

Tickets for the conference will be available via the AIFST website.

PIDA Awards Gala Dinner moves to Melbourne

The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) has joined foodpro 2026 as Association Partner. Visitors will be able to take part in AIP-led mini training courses and forums, covering key topics in food packaging innovations, sustainable packaging design and regulations, food waste and the intersection with packaging, and more.

The AIP will also be hosting exclusive industry networking events and showcasing the finalists and winners of the 2026 Packaging Innovation & Design Awards (PIDA Awards) across the four-day foodpro event.

Nerida Kelton FAIP, Executive Director of the AIP, said: “foodpro is an important trade show for the food and beverage industries and we are very proud to be an Association Partner of the show. The AIP is also delighted to announce that, for the first time, we will be hosting the 2026 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards Gala Dinner on Tuesday, 28 July, alongside foodpro.

“The PIDA Awards program celebrates Australia and New Zealand’s most innovative packaging solutions and is the exclusive entry point for the WorldStar Packaging Awards. This prestigious awards night brings together the best of the best to be recognised for their leading-edge designs.”

The PIDA Awards Gala Dinner will be held at The Crown Aviary on 28 July, with tickets available through the AIP. 

Details at a glance

Organised by Diversified Communications, foodpro is widely regarded as a critical platform for industry leaders to connect with Australia’s largest food and beverage manufacturing audience.

foodpro 2026
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
26–29 July 2026

Visitor registration will open soon at www.foodproexpo.com.

Exhibitor applications are now open, with spaces filling fast.

To learn more about exhibiting at foodpro 2026, visit www.foodproexpo.com.