As the food industry responds to market pressures and threats, foodpro 2026 will foster industry resilience through collaborations and solutions.
Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing sector will return to Melbourne in July 2026 as foodpro opens its doors for another four-day showcase of processing, packaging and production technology.
Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 26 to 29 July, foodpro 2026 is expected to attract professionals from across manufacturing, engineering, research and development, packaging, operations, quality assurance and sustainability.
More than 400 exhibitors will participate in the event, with the show floor covering ingredients, processing systems, packaging machinery, logistics, automation and digital manufacturing technologies.
The event returns following the 2023 exhibition and arrives at a time when food and beverage manufacturers are facing growing operational pressures across energy, labour, compliance and sustainability.
According to foodpro event director Louise Brooks, the event is designed to help manufacturers navigate those challenges through practical solutions and industry collaboration.
“Food and beverage manufacturers are facing mounting pressure to reduce waste, improve efficiency and meet sustainability targets while managing rising energy costs and labour shortages,” said Brooks.
“foodpro provides a platform for the industry to come together, explore practical solutions in processing and packaging innovation, and connect with the suppliers and technologies that can help them stay competitive.”
The exhibition will feature live demonstrations of processing and packaging systems, including slicing and portioning equipment, beverage bottling lines, baking technologies and sustainable packaging applications.
Alongside equipment demonstrations, the Innovation Stage will host presentations and discussions on topics including AI driven quality control, automation, food safety regulation, sustainable packaging and digital manufacturing systems.
From automated processing lines to advanced quality control systems and new packaging materials, the sector is focused on balancing productivity with sustainability and traceability.
Packaging partnerships
Packaging innovation will also play a role at the 2026 exhibition through a partnership between foodpro and the Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP). The AIP will join foodpro as an Association Partner, delivering training sessions, industry forums and networking opportunities across the four-day event.
“foodpro is an important tradeshow for the food and beverage industries and we are very proud to be an Association Partner of the show,” said AIP executive director Nerida Kelton.
Attendees will have access to AIP led mini-training courses covering sustainable packaging design, food waste reduction, packaging regulations and innovation in food packaging systems.
The partnership will also see the Packaging Innovation & Design Awards Gala Dinner move to Melbourne and take place alongside foodpro for the first time. The 2026 PIDA Awards Gala Dinner will be held on 28 July at Crown Aviary, recognising packaging innovation across Australia and New Zealand.
The finalists and winners of the 2026 PIDA Awards will also be showcased throughout the exhibition.
“The addition of the PIDA Awards Gala Dinner to the foodpro program is a true milestone for the event,” said Brooks. “This is more than a trade show. It’s where the future of food and packaging comes to life.”
Research and food science
The Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST) will also return as an Association Partner, with the AIFST26 conference co-located alongside foodpro across 27 and 28 July.
The conference will bring together food scientists, technologists, regulators, researchers and industry stakeholders to examine developments across food safety, sensory science, health and nutrition, manufacturing, sustainability and regulation.
“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,” said AIFST chief executive officer Fiona Fleming.
“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.”
Exhibitors across the supply chain
The exhibitor line-up spans processing and packaging equipment, ingredients, food science, digital manufacturing systems, infrastructure and beverage technology. Exhibitors include Vemag, Multivac, Marel Australia, Heat and Control, Endress & Hauser Australia, Atlas Copco and FOSS Pacific.
In food science and testing, exhibitors include Thermo Fisher Scientific Australia, Eurofins Food Testing Australia and bioMérieux Australia, alongside the University of Melbourne’s Food Sector team.
The ingredients and additives category features Brenntag Australia and functional ingredient suppliers, while digital and automation exhibitors such as Atturra, CSB-System Australia and Foods Connected reflect growing investment in Industry 4.0 technologies.
Infrastructure and beverage technology providers including GEA Australia, Combilift, Grundfos and Evoguard will also be represented.
The event is expected to attract manufacturers, processors, packaging specialists, engineers, procurement teams and government representatives from across the sector.
Networking will form a key part of the program, including the Industry Connect Evening on 26 July at Melbourne Public. Dedicated spaces such as the Industry Hub and Business Lounge will provide opportunities for exhibitors, suppliers and manufacturers to connect throughout the exhibition.
“Together, we’re connecting the people, ideas and technologies shaping the future of Australia’s food industry,” said Brooks.
foodpro 2026 marks more than 50 years since the exhibition was established and continues to serve as one of Australia’s largest trade events for food manufacturing and processing.
Attendance is free for industry professionals.
