Some of the food industry’s biggest names are preparing to gather in Melbourne as foodpro 2026 returns to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 26 to 29 July.
Held only once every three years, the event will bring together more than 500 exhibitors spanning ingredients, food science, processing equipment, packaging, automation, beverage technology and sustainable manufacturing solutions.
While foodpro is firmly focused on food and beverage manufacturing, there will be plenty for foodservice operators, chefs, caterers and hospitality groups to explore. New ingredients, preparation systems, packaging formats and production technology on display could help businesses improve consistency, reduce waste and bring new menu ideas to market more efficiently.
Belgian chocolate innovation comes to Melbourne
One of the most anticipated appearances for bakery, pastry, dessert and foodservice professionals will be Barry Callebaut, exhibiting at Stand D4 alongside its Australian distribution partner, Juremont.
Barry Callebaut is the group behind Callebaut, one of the best-known names in Belgian chocolate, and is recognised as the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products. Juremont distributes Barry Callebaut’s industrial chocolate and cocoa products to food manufacturers across Australia and New Zealand.
Visitors will be among the first in Australia to discover three new Barry Callebaut solutions: Cacao Max, ChoViva and Vitalcoa.
Cacao Max is a new premium compound range designed to deliver a rich, multidimensional cacao taste, silky texture and smooth mouthfeel. ChoViva takes a very different approach, creating a chocolate-like taste experience from sunflower seeds without using cocoa. The product has already appeared in more than 70 products across over eight European markets.
Vitalcoa, meanwhile, uses a proprietary process designed to retain up to 80 per cent of cocoa’s naturally occurring flavanols, opening new possibilities across chocolate, powders and health-focused applications.
More major industry names to watch
The broader program will feature speakers and representatives from organisations including Woolworths, Lactalis, McCormick Foods Australia, Schneider Electric, Sealed Air, Detmold Group and Thermo Fisher Scientific. Topics are expected to cover everything from packaging and sustainability to automation, food safety and operational efficiency.
Visitors can also see machinery operating live through the Demo Exchange, while Oestergaard Australia will showcase processing, portioning, packaging and automation technology from global equipment brands including Foodmate, Marelec, Marlen and Colimatic.
With new products to taste, equipment to see in action and suppliers from across the entire food supply chain in one place, foodpro 2026 offers foodservice professionals a valuable look at the ideas likely to influence future menus, production models and customer experiences.
Attendance is free for eligible industry professionals. Register to attend foodpro 2026.
