SIAL Shanghai serves up global food trends

The 2026 SIAL Shanghai opened on May 18, bringing together more than 5,000 exhibitors from 75 countries and regions to showcase the latest trends, products and innovations in the global food and beverage industry.

As one of SIAL's three flagship international food exhibitions, this year's event features more than 350,000 products across categories including dairy, meat, snacks, beverages, seafood, coffee, tea and prepared foods.

International exhibitors from countries such as France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Brazil, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam presented signature products ranging from cheese, olive oil and Iberian ham to tropical fruits, coffee and specialty snacks.

Chinese regional brands also attracted strong attention. Specialty products from Jilin, Zhejiang, Yunnan and Guangdong provinces were promoted through upgraded branding and standardized packaging, highlighting the transformation of China's agricultural and food industries.

Organizers say the exhibition reflects China's growing demand for diverse, high-quality food products while offering overseas suppliers greater access to the Chinese market.

The event also served as a major platform for product launches, with domestic and international brands unveiling new offerings aimed at younger consumers and health-conscious buyers.

Several consumption trends stood out at this year's exhibition.

Snack makers increasingly focused on "emotional consumption", combining food with entertainment, social interaction and collectible elements. Oversized packaging and IP collaborations proved especially popular among younger visitors.

Health-oriented snacks also continued gaining momentum. Exhibitors showcased products such as instant-dissolving red ginseng tablets and collagen gummies infused with herbal ingredients, reflecting growing demand for convenient wellness products.

Meanwhile, premium ingredients and traceable sourcing became key themes in the catering supply chain section. Suppliers of Wagyu beef, grass-fed lamb and other high-end meat products attracted strong interest from restaurant buyers and chefs seeking higher-quality ingredients and greater differentiation.

Beyond product displays, organizers focus on business matchmaking and industry dialogue.

An upgraded "Match Me" service connected exhibitors with buyers from supermarket chains, e-commerce platforms, wholesale markets and catering groups through face-to-face negotiations designed to improve supply-chain efficiency and expand cooperation opportunities.

The exhibition also hosted the eighth SIAL World Food Industry Summit, where industry representatives discussed topics including bakery innovation, global meat trade and food import-export trends.

The long-running SIAL Innovation competition, now marking its 30th anniversary, highlighted emerging trends in health, convenience and sustainability. A series of professional contests and interactive activities, including tea beverage mixing competitions and coffee championships, further boosted visitor engagement.

Organizers said the Shanghai exhibition will be followed by SIAL Guangzhou from Sept 3 to 5, as part of a dual-city strategy designed to strengthen year-round trade and cooperation in the food and beverage sector.