The ISM Trade Show in Cologne has just celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. From February 2-5, sweets and snacks were the center of attention for the 37.000 trade visitors from 148 countries, who attended ISM. In total, 1.774 exhibitors from 76 countries (foreign share 87.5%) took part at the 50th edition.
“We have a considerable growth in exhibitor figures. This year’s edition had 7.5% more exhibitors than last year, so we have 120 more companies that joined us, and we feel very enthusiastic about that. The atmosphere in the halls is very dynamic with many celebrations around the jubilee,” Sabine Schommer, ISM director, told Frozen Food Europe
This year the exhibitors, above all, placed their bets on high-quality products with unusual taste components as well as on natural ingredients and plant or insect-based proteins. Vegan, vegetarian, fat- and sugar-reduced as well as fairly traded products were also high in trend. The “New Product Showcase”, which 100 exhibitors from 33 nations took part in, with 178 products, was once again in 2020 the reflection of this development.
The top three this year were Dr. Klaus Karg KG with “Dr. Karg’s Bio Lentil Snacks” from Germany, Confiserie Vandenbulcke with “Petit Melo®” from Belgium and Coppenrath Feinback GmbH with “Licorice Coooky” from Germany. The winner of the ISM Packaging Award powered by ProSweets Cologne is Froben Druck GmbH & Co. KG with “Labels made of grass paper” from Germany.
Once again, this year, the image of ISM was characterized by a high degree of internationality, namely 70 percent, which remained at the customary high level. A large share of the European trade visitors came from Belgium, the Netherlands, Great Britain and Italy this year. Commenting on the recent Brexit news, Ms. Schommer said that there was a certain feeling of insecurity at the moment among the British exhibitors and their clients, but that it will soon pass.
“Those that are here, have their clients, and are confident that they will find a way to cooperate in the future. Their clients will still go for English fudge and for Scottish shortbread, and they don’t want to miss it. I think, as usual, business will find its way,” she said.