foodpro 2026 will return to the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from 26 to 29 July, bringing together Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing sector for what organisers describe as the country’s only major food processing and packaging trade event of the year.
According to foodpro, the four-day event is expected to attract more than 9,000 industry professionals and feature over 400 exhibitors covering food processing, packaging, digital factory technology, cold chain logistics, sustainability and food science.
The event will include ten exhibition segments, with live equipment demonstrations scheduled across the show floor. Organisers said a new FMCG segment will be introduced in 2026, focusing on high-speed portioning, packing, labelling and retail-ready solutions for consumer goods manufacturers.
“foodpro is where the industry’s decision-makers come to evaluate, invest and connect,” said foodpro Event Director Louise Brooks. “With 400-plus exhibitors representing every part of the supply chain, this is four days that can meaningfully shape the direction of a business.”
In a new partnership for 2026, the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST) Conference will be co-located with foodpro across all four days.
The conference will bring together food science professionals, researchers, regulators and industry stakeholders, allowing attendees to move between conference sessions and the exhibition floor at the same venue.
Organisers said the arrangement is intended to connect food science research and development with manufacturing and production applications.
The Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP) will also contribute to the program through a series of training courses and seminars focused on sustainability, innovation and regulatory compliance. The sessions will run throughout the event and are aimed at packaging professionals seeking certification-backed learning opportunities.
For the first time, the Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards Gala Dinner will also be held alongside foodpro on 28 July. The awards recognise packaging innovation across the region and serve as a pathway to the WorldStar Packaging Awards.
An Innovation Stage will run throughout the event, featuring up to five presentations daily from industry leaders and technology providers. Topics are expected to include automation, sustainability, emerging ingredients and technologies shaping large-scale food manufacturing.
foodpro 2026 will open with an Industry Connect Evening on 26 July at Melbourne Public on the Yarra River, providing networking opportunities for exhibitors and visitors.
Visitor registration for the event is now open and free for industry professionals involved in food manufacturing, packaging, research and development, supply chain, technology and sustainability.
