Anuga, the world’s leading food fair for the retail trade and the foodservice and catering markets, celebrates 100 years of food innovation since its first exposition in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1919. A lot has changed in terms of trends and technology, but one thing that has remained constant is consumers’ desire for delicious and nutritious food and beverage. That’s what you find at Anuga, including the largest display of meat and poultry in the world. 

The 35th installment of Anuga will take place at Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany, Oct. 5-9. This biennial event is a central business and communications platform for all players involved in the development, manufacturing, marketing, distribution and sale of food and beverage. It’s where new products debut to complement today’s and tomorrow’s trends. For many product developers, it’s where they go to observe innovations and generate ideas for the future.

The 2017 expo attracted nearly 165,000 trade visitors from about 200 countries exploring the more than 7,400 exhibitors. Event organizers anticipate breaking this record in 2019, as Cologne continues to attract buyers and sellers from all countries around the world.

Anuga prides itself on being 10 trade shows under one roof. This halls of the expo are divided into themed areas, designed to allow attendees to maximize their time. The halls are: Bread & Bakery, Chilled & Fresh Food, Culinary Concepts, Dairy, Drinks, Fine Food, Frozen Food, Meat, Hot Beverages and Organic. For the first time Anuga is offering participation opportunities for start-up companies in special pavilions located in each of the show halls.

“As a young and innovative company, you have the opportunity to compete with the existing industry and present your innovative products to the global trade audience,” says Lorenz Rau, director Anuga, Koelnmesse GmbH.

Three of the 10 halls attract meat and poultry processors. Anuga Meat is the trade show for fresh, frozen and processed meat, sausage, game and poultry. It also includes alternative products, such as those marketed as plant-based, vegan, vegetarian and even insect-based. With convenience top of mind, Anuga Chilled & Fresh Food is the trade show for fresh grab-and-go foods, fresh delicatessen products and more. Lastly, Anuga Frozen Food is the trade show for all types of frozen foods, including prepared meals where meat and poultry are primary components.

“Not only are the current trends presented at Anuga, a strong focus is placed on the future of food,” Rau says. “Surveys show that in a few years more than 10 billion people will be living on Earth. We need to address how all of these people will be fed. In addition to the shortage of water and arable land, the key issues are the logistic challenges as well as the alternatives for breeding plants, meat substitutes and new eating habits. Our world of food is thus faced with the largest transformation of all times and many companies are already occupying themselves with alternative solutions for the industry.”

For more information on Anuga 2019, visit www.anuga.com.