BIOFACH World News Update Vol. IIl 2024

The sustainable food/sustainability sector gathered at numerous BIOFACH World events around the globe in 2024. to discuss topical and trending issues from the entire value chain, showcase and taste organic products, share knowledge, and build networks. BIOFACH JAPAN celebrated its comeback in October, while BIOFACH SAUDI ARABIA enjoyed a more than 50% increase in exhibitors. At the same, the preparations for the next round of BIOFACH AMERICA are already in full swing.

BIOFACH Nuremberg

From 11 to 14 February 2025, BIOFACH in Nuremberg and its digital platform will bring players from the entire organic supply chain together to drive the ecological transformation. At the special display area “Organic food in OOH”, interested parties from the out-of-home catering segment can look forward to a programme specifically geared towards their industry, e.g. with best practice examples and live cooking demonstrations. For the first time, newcomers will present their ideas and products on the new INNOVATION STAGE in Hall 4A. This will be the venue for the “BIOFACH Start-up Pitches” when start-ups will introduce the audience of industry professionals to the organic products of the future. The focus of the BIOFACH Congress “Yes, we do! – How to effect change in the organic food segment” will explore the key levers for sustainability and innovation. The BIOFACH Congress also offers valuable insights and networking opportunities for all participants who want to work together on a sustainable future.

BIOFACH AMERICA

From 2 to 4 June 2025, the 21st round of BIOFACH AMERICA will take place for the first time as a separate event at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The preparations are already in full swing. “We are excited to be offering the first wholly organic event in the USA next June. The response and support from the industry has been strong and we are eager to engage this fast-growing sector in the US,” says Deb Ferbrache, Event Manager BIOFACH AMERICA. The Call for Speakers is still open until 31 January 2025. Interested parties can help shape the supporting programme by submitting a topic for inclusion.

BIOFACH CHINA

BIOFACH CHINA and the NATURAL EXPO CHINA will take place at the Shanghai New International Expo Center from 11 to 13 June 2025. “The study ‘The World of Organic Agriculture Statistics and Emerging Trends 2024’ revealed that China’s rapid dynamic growth makes it one of the three largest organic markets in the world for the first time. As one of the few specialised international B2B organic trading platforms in Asia, BIOFACH CHINA is an outstanding venue for organic food producers in this growing market to showcase their companies and brands,” explains Katharina Neumann, Manager International Events at NürnbergMesse. In June 2025, BIOFACH CHINA and the NATURAL EXPO CHINA will put the spotlight on trending issues like health-conscious nutrition or the desire of consumers for a better quality of life. Moreover, the supporting programme will take a closer look at new areas such as ‘light meals’ and will work with participants to develop organic and nutritional frameworks.

BIOFACH AMERICA LATINA

The 17th round of BIOFACH AMERICA LATINA opened its doors at the Anhembi Exhibition Centre in São Paulo from 12 to 15 June 2024. In combination with BIO BRAZIL FAIR and NATURALTECH, the event attracted around 46,200 visitors and 760 exhibitors, confirming its leading role as the key gathering for Latin America’s organic food and sustainability sector. Participants could enjoy an international product range as well as plenty of opportunities to network, discover trends, and share knowledge and ideas. The national and international business round tables, which brought purchasers and vendors together in some 1,000 meetings, were one of the highlights of the event. Moreover, five Brazilian companies received an award honouring the special achievements of their brands in promoting health, nutrition and sustainability. Topical issues affecting the organic segment were explored in numerous workshops, presentations, and podium discussions.

BIOFACH JAPAN

From 25 to 27 October 2024, BIOFACH JAPAN, which was co-located with the GOOD LIFE Fair, celebrated its successful comeback. The event attracted 62 exhibiting companies from the organic food and natural cosmetics segments as well as 40,453 visitors. The special highlights included the German Pavilion and the Philippines Pavilion. On all three days of the event, participants in BIOFACH JAPAN 2024 also enjoyed an extensive programme of presentations on the topical issues and challenges affecting the organic food sector.

BIOFACH JAPAN will be back in 2025, again in co-location with the GOOD LIFE Fair. It is organised by a local partner, the newspaper Asahi Shimbun, with NürnbergMesse as co-organiser. The event also receives support from the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).

The GOOD LIFE Fair focuses on topics like healthy nutrition, lifestyle and sustainability and is geared towards interested parties from the B2B segment and the high-income B2C segment. The co-location of BIOFACH JAPAN with the GOOD LIFE Fair offers exhibitors the ideal opportunity to establish and expand their contacts with trading partners and obtain direct feedback from Japanese consumers.

BIOFACH INDIA

In autumn 2025, the most important event for the Indian organic sector will enter its next round when BIOFACH INDIA opens its doors at the India Expo Centre, IEML, Greater Noida in Delhi-NCR. The event is hosted in collaboration with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

The audience of industry professionals, as well as participants like manufacturers of organic food, drinks and packaging, certification agencies and academic establishments, can once again look forward to a wide range of products and an extensive supporting programme that includes features on millet, an important segment in India. The congress programme delivers insights into the growing organic market in India and worldwide, explains trends and working methods, and offers scope for important exchanges on current challenges. The pavilion “Nature’s New and Now” also offers interesting insights into the latest trends in the Indian organic community. 

BIOFACH SAUDI ARABIA

BIOFACH SAUDI ARABIA, organised by 1st Arabia Tradeshows & Conferences and co-organised by NürnbergMesse, was held from 11 to 13 November 2024. As the “international organic hub for the MENA region”, it recorded a more than 50% growth in exhibitors and display area compared with the previous round. “We would like to express our gratitude to 1st Arabia Tradeshows & Conferences, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA), and the Saudi Organic Farming Association (SOFA). Their support has been a major factor in the success of the trade fair and the accompanying programme of presentations,” says Christian Beyer, Manager International Events at NürnbergMesse. The international highlights included the German Pavilion with seven participating companies and the Bulgarian Pavilion with nine, as well as a diverse supporting programme. Beyer adds: “The extensive activities and efforts of MEWA and SOFA for the further development of organic farming in Saudi Arabia are also reflected in the government’s Vision 2030. There is already a growing interest in organic food and increased demand can be expected over the next few years. The high level of imports in the food sector offers international suppliers in particular excellent sales opportunities for their products in the MENA region.”

BIOFACH World

NürnbergMesse has proven expertise in the field of organic food. The international organic sector gathers in Nuremberg every year in February at BIOFACH, the world’s leading fair for organic food products. The comprehensive range of certified organic products on display reflects their diversity and includes fresh products like dairy and cheese, fruit and vegetables, dry goods like grains and pulses, nuts and confectionery, beverages, and natural cosmetics. The international patron of BIOFACH is IFOAM – Organics International, while the national supporting institution is the German Federation of Organic Food Producers (BÖLW). An integral part of this world-leading fair is the BIOFACH Congress, a knowledge-sharing platform that is unique worldwide. With another seven BIOFACH events in China, India, Japan, South America, Thailand, the USA and Saudi Arabia, BIOFACH World has a global presence and year after year brings together around 4,500 exhibitors and more than 150,000 trade visitors.