GERMANY | When leading players from the industry, trade and supplier sectors come to Cologne at the beginning of February, the focus will be on initiating business, exchanging and networking.
From the 1st to the 4th of February 2026, ISM 2026 will serve as the international platform for personal encounters, new partnerships and sustainable market development. The leading global trade fair for sweets and snacks is taking place for the first time as an expanded trade fair alliance.
Together with ProSweets Cologne, the only supplier trade fair specifically for the sweets and snacks industry, and ISM Ingredients, the new trade fair for raw materials, ingredients and semi-finished products, a holistic trade fair concept is being created that covers the entire value chain.
Around 1,600 companies from 72 countries will present their latest products and innovations across 100,000 square metres. An international share of 89 percent underlines the global significance of the world's leading trade fair.
Once again, the participants of ISM 2026 come from all corners of the world. The ten countries with the highest number of exhibitors include, apart from Germany, Italy, Belgium, China, Spain, Turkey, the Netherlands, Poland, Great Britain, France, and Greece.
The upcoming edition is also setting new benchmarks in terms of group stands: With 39 pavilions from 29 countries and regions, the number of country pavilions has reached a record level.
New pavilions from Japan, Morocco, Thailand and the Ukraine additionally enhance the international profile of the trade fair.
Top-class exhibitor portfolio
The exhibitor portfolio underscores ISM's very well-established market position. German companies participating include, among others, Dietrich Borggreve, Brandt, Cavendish & Harvey, Coppenrath Feingebäck, Genuport, Gubor, Halloren, hitschler, Katjes, Dr Klaus Karg, Klett Schokolade, Herbert Kluth, Krüger, Kuchenmeister, Lambertz, Pertzborn, Piasten, Ragolds, Reber, Schluckwerder, Conrad Schulte, Seitenbacher, Storz, Trolli, WAWI, Wicklein, Windel and XOX.
Particularly worth mentioning is the return of the company Ritter, which is taking part again for the first time since 2020, a strong signal for the German market.
From abroad, the exhibitors comprise among others, Baronie, Bifa Biscuits, Canel's, Cloetta Holland, Colombina, Doumak, Elah-Dufour, Elvan, Fazer (with their own exhibition stand for the first time), Ferrara, Fini, Halba, ICAM, Kambly, Kervan, Kras, Lindt & Sprüngli SpA, Loacker, Manner, Millano, Millennium, Morinaga, Mount Franklin Foods, Natra, Nestlé Italiana, Neuhaus, Orkla, Peccin, Riclan, Roshen, Shenzhen Amos Sweets, Sölen, Toms, Tootsie Roll, Valeo Foods, Valor, Vidal, Want Want China, Wawel as well as Walker’s Shortbread again.
The strong exhibitor presence is also reflected among the visitors. All relevant national and international trading companies have confirmed their participation.
Top buyers already registered include Aeon Co., Aldi, Amazon, Bartels-Langness, Carrefour, Conad, Coop, Costco Wholesale Corporation, Edeka Gruppe, E-Mart, Globus, Lotte Shopping, Mercadona, Migros Switzerland, Rewe Group, Rossmann, Salling Group, Sam’s Club (Walmart), Schwarz Group, Tesco and many more.
Event highlights of ISM 2026
With a clearly focused event programme, ISM 2026 is setting the stage for content highlights. The Expert Stage on the Central Boulevard serves as the central knowledge hub and offers practical insights, examples of best practice and current industry developments.
The Talks & Tasting Stage, the joint stage of ISM and ProSweets Cologne, in Hall 10.1, is being significantly expanded in 2026. It combines product tastings, live podcasts and creator formats into an interactive experience.
A particular highlight is the ISM Award, presented for the first time during the new ISM Opening Night on the first day of the fair at the Confex at Koelnmesse. The event serves as the festive prelude to the trade fair week.
Within the scope of Lab5 by ISM, the trade fair spotlights innovations. The new theme section, "ISM Functional Sweets," will be staged in Hall 10.1 for the first time in 2026. This area is dedicated to the growing market for functional sweets and unites 12 participants from four countries. The area is complemented by the New Product Showcase, featuring over 150 exhibitors' new products.
Koelnmesse is the organiser of ISM, and its industry sponsor is the International Sweets and Biscuits Fair Task Force (AISM).
