Fi Europe 2024
Post-show results

Fi Europe returned to Frankfurt in 2024, reaffirming its status as Europe’s unmissable ingredients event. With record-breaking attendance and a growing focus on key R&D, product management, and procurement roles, this year’s edition delivered exceptional opportunities for global suppliers and buyers to connect, innovate, and grow.

Fi Europe 2024 results

23,221

Total attendance

1,448

Exhibiting companies

130+

60%

Attending countries

29

Country pavilions

25

Media partners

105 2,646

Speakers

Theatre attendees

New visitors

Visitor profile

Top job function

Procurement / purchasing 14%
General management 13%
Distribution 11%
Product development 10%
Research & development 9%
Consultancy 5%
Marketing 5%

Top business activity

Distributor / import / export services 26%
Manufacturer: ingredients / additives 23%
Manufacturer: food & beverage finished products 22%
Consulting 7%
Raw material supplier 5%
Contract manufacturer/private label manufacturer 5%

Top business sector*

Bakery 34%
Dairy 30%
Natural products 24%
Confectionary 23%
Food supplements / nutraceuticals 23%
Functional food & beverages 20%
Meat & meat products 17%
Desserts / ice cream 17%
Vegetarian / vegan products 15%
Snacks 15%

*Based on multiple responses

Visitor profile

Top 10 countries

Germany 25%
Netherlands 11%
Italy 5%
United Kingdom 5%
France 5%
Spain 4%
Poland 3%
Belgium 3%
Switzerland 2%
Greece 2%

Top visitor interest in ingredients*

Aromas 20%
Starches 20%
Sweeteners / sugar replacements 17%
Stabilisers and thickeners, binders, texturisers 17%
Cocoa & chocolate 17%
Emulsifiers / lecithins 17%
Enzymes 16%
Flavour enhancers 15%
Antioxidants 15%
Vitamins 15%

Top visitor interest in show area*

Food ingredients 92%
Natural ingredients 49%
Health ingredients 42%
Food manufacturing technology & solutions 30%
Organic ingredients 27%
Startup pavilion 13%
Petfood suppliers hub 9%

*Based on multiple responses

New for 2024: Petfood Suppliers Hub and Food Technologies & Solutions Zone

Food ingredients Europe drives innovation across the global food and pet food industries, empowering businesses to adapt, grow, and thrive through groundbreaking technology and collaborative opportunities.

Innovative show floor areas for pet food and food technology

Fi Europe 2024 introduced a brand-new show area showcasing the latest advancements and opportunities in pet food, and an expanded area focused on cutting-edge food technologies.

The Petfood Suppliers Hub made its debut as a dedicated space for the pet food industry, enabling exhibitors to exchange ideas, inspire innovation, and establish meaningful connections. This new addition underscored the synergies between the food and pet food markets, highlighting shared ingredients and processes that open doors for collaboration and growth.

The expanded Food Technologies & Solutions Zone attracted many companies and a steady stream of attendees eager to discover solutions that enhance safety, sustainability, efficiency, and resilience in operations and supply chains. From cutting-edge ingredients to process innovations, this area became a place for businesses seeking to future-proof their activities and tackle industry challenges head-on.

Key exhibiting & visiting companies

Visiting companies:

Danone
Ferrero
General Mills
Heineken
Kraft Heinz Company
Lactalis
Mars
Mondelez International
Nestlé
Nissin Foods Group
Pepsi Co
Pernod Ricard
Suntory
Tyson Foods
Unilever

Exhibiting companies:

Fi Europe Innovation Awards

Celebrating excellence and innovation

The Fi Innovation Awards spotlight the most groundbreaking advancements in the food and beverage industry. Recognising trailblazing solutions, products, and initiatives, these prestigious awards celebrate companies and individuals shaping the future of the sector. From ingredient innovation to sustainable practices, the awards champion impactful ideas that address evolving consumer needs and global challenges.

This year's winners:

Health Innovation – ADM
Sustainability Innovation – AAK
Plant-based Innovation – Avebe
Food Manufacturing – GEA Process Engineering
Future Foodtech Innovation – Cargill
Pet food Innovation – Cargill
Dairy Alternative Innovation – Bunge
Diversity & Inclusion Innovation – Agronutris
Sensory Innovation – Novonesis

Sustainability - our efforts recognised

Food ingredients Europe informs, inspires, and connects the global food industry to shape a more sustainable food system that is economically resilient, environmentally sound, and better for people around the world.

Sustainability programming

At Fi Europe 2024, sustainability took centre stage with engaging programming across the event. The CSDDD interactive workshop by Solidaridad provided insights into the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, helping businesses navigate compliance and integrate responsible practices into their supply chains. The Women’s Networking Breakfast celebrated women’s empowerment and successes within the F&B industry, and beyond. The Future Food Leaders program welcomed PhD students to present their research, featured a panel on bridging the gap between academia and industry, and a networking session. These were just a few highlights, with additional sessions covering sustainability in pet food, scaling sustainability solutions, and more.

Positively supporting the food industry

Fi Europe prioritised environmental and social responsibility throughout the event. From running entirely on 100% renewable energy to constructing event features with reusable materials - every effort was made to reduce waste and lower the environmental footprint. Leftover packaged food was donated to the local food bank Frankfurter Tafel, ensuring nothing went to waste and supporting the local community.

Learn more about sustainability at our events

Hear from our 2024 exhibitors

I couldn't think of a better place to meet with people from North America, Europe and LATAM”

Aaron Lee | Foodology by Univar Solutions

Fi Europe is a really critical meeting point for us with our customers and key stakeholders”

Sheelagh Pentony | Kerry

It is super important for us to meet our customers here - existing ones, but also talk to potential new customers"

Pia Jörissen | Emsland