IFE set to celebrate 21 editions in March 2019

Visitors will be given the opportunity to discover emerging trends, meet with future-focused food and drink businesses from the UK and further afield, and hear inspiring and thought-provoking talks from key industry figures.

The event will host British and international buyers as well as top professionals from retail, wholesale and distribution, import and export, and foodservice and hospitality buyers under one roof. 1,350 cutting-edge food and drink manufacturers from 111 countries will also be in attendance.

IFE 2019 is co-located with Pro2Pac, the food and drink processing and packaging event, to offer visitors a comprehensive snapshot of the food and drink industry.

5 minutes with… Soraya Gadelrab, portfolio director at Fresh Montgomery

What past trends have you encountered at IFE?
Over the 20 editions of IFE we have seen, tasted and experienced a whole host of food and drink trends from across the world. With many companies using IFE as a platform to launch new products, it is the best opportunity for buyers to experience cutting-edge innovations within the industry.

Health and wellbeing is a trend that penetrates nearly every corner of the food and drink industry. Consumers are becoming more conscious of their food and drink choices, indicated by the volume of products such as alternative proteins and natural energy drinks at IFE 2017. Aligned with the healthy eating movement, free-from products have also stood out as a key market focus, forming the basis of one of our ‘Trend Trails’ in 2017 with a foreword from award-winning cookery author and healthy snacking entrepreneur, Deliciously Ella.

In the UK around 10 million tonnes of food is wasted every year, 60% of which could be avoided (WRAP 2016).  As frozen food has a longer shelf life it has the potential to play a significant role in helping to limit food waste.  With the category currently worth £8bn a year, and forecasts predicting ongoing growth to surpass £10bn (British Frozen Food Federation, Frozen Food Report II, 2016), it is clear that frozen food will continue to be an area of interest for buyers in the future. That’s why we are partnering with longstanding supporters of IFE, The British Frozen Food Federation, to reintroduce this category as a section of the show in 2019, showcasing the pioneering brands that are fronting the frozen food revival.

IFE 2019 will not only illustrate how previous trends are evolving, it will also shine a light on the latest key categories and movements that are set to shape the industry in the future.

What is the importance of an event like this in the industry?
Events like IFE are essential to the evolution of the food and drink industry. With 27,000 attendees from 111 countries, IFE is the leading and largest event of its kind in the UK and therefore provides producers and buyers with the opportunity to truly taste the future of food and drink.

Speciality and fine foods have always been important to IFE and we are delighted that the Great British & Irish Food section of the 2019 event will be sponsored by Speciality Food magazine. Encompassing the Artisan Market, this section will feature the best the category has to offer.