Loading tweets...
Gama spoke to Federico Dellafiore, event director, ahead of the latest edition of IFE, International Food & Drink Event.
What are your expectations for this edition of IFE?
IFE 2026 is set to be one of our most engaging editions yet. Every year, the show brings together a fantastic mix of food and drink producers, buyers and industry leaders, and for 2026 we’re expecting even more variety and energy across all 15 event sections . From Fresh Produce and Health, Organic & Natural to Artisan Food, Bakery, Snacks & Confectionery and many more, there will be plenty for visitors to discover, taste and learn.
Read this Insight by Gama Compass in the next issue of Gama News.
What new zones or initiatives are being rolled out for 2026?
We’re really excited to be launching a brand-new Sports & Nutrition zone, reflecting the growing demand for products focused on wellbeing and performance. It’s an area that continues to expand, with everything from high-protein snacks to functional drinks gaining attention from buyers.
The Start-Up Market will once again be full of emerging brands that bring new ideas and creativity to the industry. We’re also delighted to continue our partnership with Aramark, who will run an extensive Meet the Buyer programme across Food, Drink & Hospitality Week. This connects suppliers directly with retail and foodservice buyers, helping brands make meaningful commercial connections.
How is IFE helping UK and international brands adapt to shifting retail dynamics?
IFE offers the chance to hear directly from senior buyers and gain real-time feedback on products and positioning. It’s also a great environment to understand where your brand fits within the wider market and to explore new opportunities for collaboration.
Our Future Food Stage will feature an inspiring line-up of retail and F&B experts discussing key trends and market changes. The New Products Discovery Theatre will also be a highlight, with live demos and tastings that showcase the latest products and ideas in action.
Are you seeing any notable growth in categories like free-from, functional foods or global cuisine?
There’s been a clear shift towards clean labels and natural ingredients as consumers move away from ultra-processed foods. We’re seeing strong growth in high-protein and functional products, as well as continued interest in fermented foods and drinks like kefir and kombucha.
When it comes to global flavours, Asian cuisines continue to lead the way, with Korean, Thai and Japanese influences driving new product development and shaping UK food trends.
What will be different about this year’s visitor or exhibitor experience?
We’re introducing a new event app for 2026 to help visitors get the most out of their time at the show. It will allow users to browse exhibitors, arrange meetings before the event and create a personalised schedule of sessions across IFE and the wider Food, Drink & Hospitality Week portfolio of events.
About IFE
IFE is the UK’s largest and most successful product sourcing platform and takes place on 30th March – 1st April alongside IFE Manufacturing, HRC, The Pub Show, Hospitality Tech360 and International Salon Culinaire as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week. Meet face-to-face and showcase your products to buyers across retail, wholesale, import/export, and hospitality who are actively on the hunt for the latest innovations across food and drink. With 15 dedicated event sections divided by product category across the show floor, you know relevant buyers will find you with ease.
