Manufacturing innovation across Australia’s food and beverage sector will be in focus when industry participants gather in Melbourne in 2026, as manufacturers examine new technologies and approaches to modernising food manufacturing operations.
According to a new release, foodpro 2026 will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 26 to 29 July, bringing together food and beverage manufacturers, solution providers and industry bodies from across the manufacturing supply chain.
The event will showcase developments in food manufacturing, processing, packaging and digital manufacturing as businesses respond to rising costs, workforce pressures and changing market conditions.
Food and beverage manufacturing remains one of Australia’s largest industrial sectors, supporting domestic food supply chains, exports and employment nationwide. foodpro said the 2026 exhibition will highlight how manufacturers are using innovation to improve productivity, meet sustainability expectations and navigate regulatory requirements.
The four-day event is expected to feature more than 400 suppliers demonstrating manufacturing solutions across processing equipment, packaging systems, ingredients, logistics and digital factory technologies.
Focus areas will include artificial intelligence applications, automated processing, and sustainable packaging, reflecting areas where manufacturers are investing as part of broader operational upgrades.
foodpro said the event will mark its return after a three-year gap, providing an opportunity to examine how food and beverage manufacturing technology has evolved since 2023.
Exhibits are expected to include AI-enabled quality control systems, automated production lines and new packaging materials, alongside live demonstrations and presentations on manufacturing and sustainability developments.
The exhibition will attract professionals from food and beverage manufacturing, processing and packaging, as well as engineering, research and development, quality assurance, sustainability, operations, procurement and government roles.
foodpro 2026 will again co-locate with the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology Conference, AIFST26, which will be held on 27 and 28 July.
The conference will bring together food science and technology professionals to discuss research, regulatory issues and challenges facing the manufacturing sector.
Attendance at foodpro is free for industry professionals, with registration open through the event website, foodpro said.
