Alimentaria+Hostelco 2026 adds 30% more international companies

More international presence, more business

The growth is not only quantitative. More than 1,200 companies from 70 countries will be present at this edition, occupying 36% of the total space. Europe leads the participation, with Poland as the country of honor, while Latin America and North America consolidate their presence in a context where the opening to new markets is gaining strategic weight.

In this line, the buyers’ program promoted together with ICEX foresees the participation of 1,500 major international importers and 1,200 national importers, with the aim of exceeding 14,500 business meetings. The fair thus reinforces its role as a platform for direct connection between supply and demand, beyond the exhibition showcase.

A diverse sector that stays connected to business

The event will bring together both large corporations and SMEs and family businesses, along with companies that have accompanied the show throughout its history. A coexistence that reflects the diversity of the Spanish food industry, with representation from all the autonomous communities.

This combination of consolidated business fabric and new players creates an ecosystem that continues to evolve without losing its base.

Innovation grounded in the product

Innovation is once again one of the main themes of the show, albeit from a practical perspective. The Innoval space will host more than 300 novelties linked to already consolidated trends such as healthy eating, sustainability or the search for higher quality gastronomic experiences.

For its part, The Alimentaria Hub will bring together more than 200 experts on issues such as digitization, food safety and new consumer habits. In addition, more than 60 startups will participate in the Food&Hospitality Startups area, with proposals ranging from alternative proteins to solutions based on artificial intelligence applied to nutrition.

The horeca sector is gaining weight

Another of the highlights of this edition is the growth of the horeca channel, which increased its space by 40% to 20,000 m², with more than 600 companies. This is an advance that responds to a sector in full transformation, where operational efficiency, customer experience and adaptation to the new consumer mark the roadmap.

The specific program also includes new areas such as The Shift and the Imagine Foodservice Europe conference, focused on analyzing the challenges and opportunities of organized foodservice.

50 years as a meeting point

This edition coincides with the 50th anniversary of Alimentaria, born in 1976 as the first major professional show in Spain dedicated exclusively to the food industry. Half a century later, the event maintains its role as a meeting point for the sector.

Beyond the commemoration, what defines this edition is its ability to adapt. In a changing global environment, Alimentaria+Hostelco reinforces its international dimension without losing its connection with the local fabric, consolidating itself as a space where to understand where the industry is going and, above all, where to generate real business opportunities.