ISM 2026, held in Cologne from February 1 to 4, reaffirmed its standing as the world’s leading trade fair for sweets and snacks, drawing roughly 1,600 exhibitors from 72 countries.
With foreign participation reaching 87%, the event underscored its consistently international character.
A notable development this year was the debut of ISM Ingredients as a standalone format. Featuring 87 exhibitors, the new fair nearly tripled participation compared with the former ingredients segment of ProSweets Cologne, signaling growing demand for specialized supplier platforms within the industry.
Across the combined trade fair duo, around 32,500 visitors from 140 countries attended to initiate business, place orders and forge partnerships along the full value chain. The strong turnout of international decision-makers from retail, manufacturing and supply sectors highlighted ISM’s role as a central commercial platform in an increasingly dynamic market. Organizers also expanded networking opportunities through a range of event formats designed to encourage direct exchange.
“In times of volatile markets, the industry needs platforms that provide guidance and enable business deals. ISM 2026 provided precisely that: with clear market relevance, even stronger international participation and a trade fair concept that brings the entire value chain together while at the same time paving the way for the future consolidation of all sections under the ISM umbrella brand. As such, we are consistently pursuing the long-term innovation process of our trade fair formats,” said Gerald Böse, President and Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH.
The fair opened with a high-profile panel discussion on “International trade policies and diversification,” bringing together leaders from politics and business. The conversation emphasized how closely the global sweets sector depends on stable trade frameworks and cross-industry cooperation.
“As the leading international trade fair, ISM offers precisely the right platform, where the industry, politicians and partners can come together to jointly secure the competitiveness and innovative strength of the sweets industry long-term. This was explicitly accentuated once more during the panel discussion,” said Bastian Fassin, Chairman of the International Sweets & Biscuits Fair Task Force (AISM).
The dialogue continued into the evening at the inaugural ISM Opening Night at Confex, which attracted around 600 guests from the sweets and snacks sector for networking in a more informal setting.
ISM’s broader trade fair concept also reflected an emphasis on integration. Together with ProSweets Cologne and the newly launched ISM Ingredients, the event presented a unified format spanning the full production and supply chain. Exhibitors and visitors made extensive use of the close spatial and thematic connections in Hall 10.1, describing the arrangement as beneficial for efficient discussions and long-term business development. Organizers confirmed that, beginning in 2027, ProSweets Cologne will be incorporated under the ISM umbrella brand as ISM Manufacturing.
International participation reached record levels. With 39 pavilions representing 29 countries and regions, the number of national stands was the highest in the fair’s history. The exhibitor base ranged from major global manufacturers to highly specialized niche suppliers.
On the visitor side, ISM once again served as a meeting point for leading retailers. Companies represented included Aeon, Aldi, Auchan, Carrefour, Colruyt Group, Coop, Edeka, Globus, Mercadona, Metro, Migros, Rewe Group, Schwarz Group, Tesco and Walmart, alongside drugstore chains such as Alnatura, A.S. Watson, Budni, dm-drogerie markt, Müller and Rossmann.
International visitors accounted for 71% of attendance, with Belgium, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain among the most represented European markets. Outside Europe, China, Israel, Japan, Canada and the USA were leading contributors.
Innovation remained a central theme through Lab5 by ISM, which showcased new product concepts and emerging companies. More than 30 start-ups and scale-ups from 16 countries presented offerings, while the newly introduced “ISM Functional Sweets” section reflected rising demand for health-oriented confectionery. The New Product Showcase featured more than 150 new products, offering a snapshot of current industry developments.
ISM Ingredients also drew attention with its “Special Show Ingredients – Functional and Climate-Conscious,” highlighting new recipes, processing technologies and product ideas from around the world.
The fair’s global reach extended beyond the exhibition halls through social media. Under the hashtag #ISMfamily, ISM reported a total digital reach of more than 1.8 million across platforms, supported in part by a creator program featuring tastings, workshops and tours focused on future snack trends.
Awards were another focal point of the event. Dr. Uwe Lebens, owner and long-standing Chief Operating Officer of Genuport Trade GmbH, received the ISM Award 2026 for his contributions to the sweets and snacks industry. CandyGlam captured the New Product Showcase Award with its “CREATINE Gummy Bar with chocolate (70%),” while the ISM Consumer Award went to Hosta for “nippon MINIS Original & Limited Edition Matcha.” The newly introduced ISM Start-up Pitches Award recognized FRENVI for its concept of edible cutlery and cups.
In total, ISM, ISM Ingredients and ProSweets Cologne 2026 brought together 1,790 exhibitors from 75 countries, with foreign exhibitors accounting for 85%. Attendance reached approximately 32,500 trade visitors, with an international share of 71%.
ISM is organized by Koelnmesse, with AISM serving as the industry sponsor. The next edition is scheduled for January 31 to February 3, 2027.
Find out more at: https://www.ism-cologne.com/