foodpro 2023 wrapped up

foodpro has wrapped for 2023, with the event showcasing more than 400 exhibitors in the food manufacturing space. The four-day B2B event was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 23–26 July.

Meat and seafood were the most popular sectors at the show, with visitors’ areas of interest comprising plant equipment, ingredients, food science and technology, processing and packaging, packaging materials, logistics and handling, IT and digital factories and government and business services.

Felicity Parker, Event and Product Manager, said the event was a great success following its hiatus.

“This year’s theme was Invest with the Best and we were thrilled foodpro attracted so many industry professionals with real buying power who came to see trusted suppliers and seek out new equipment, innovations and products to create efficiencies to remain at the forefront,” Parker said.

The Victorian Government was foodpro’s principal partner this year, with the event officially opened on the second day by MP Bronwyn Halfpenny, Parliamentary Secretary for Jobs, on behalf of Ben Carroll, Minister for Industry and Innovation.

Speaking in front of the foodpro crowd, Halfpenny said, “The Victorian Government has established food as one of the key five areas that is vitally important to Victoria. We understand that it isn’t easy for businesses small and large in this area, so we are pleased to partner this event to help put Victoria on the map for the food and beverage industry.”

Speaker sessions at the Product Innovation Stage by Wiley and the Smart Food Lounge by Schneider Electric were constantly packed on each of the four days with visitors looking to learn about trends, predictions and business processes in the industry.

The Sensory Experience highlighted exhibitors unveiling new tastes, flavours, colours and experiences and the Sustainability Spotlight showcased suppliers leading the way in mindful manufacturing.

The Australian Institute of Food Science & Technology (AIFST) held its annual convention during the show, featuring 50 scientific and food industry speakers from across the agri-food sector. The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) also hosted two training courses.

The expo will be back in 2026.