Foodcareplus at ISM 2024

Foodcareplus participated in the International Sweets and Biscuits Fair (ISM) 2024, held from 28 to 31 January in Cologne, Germany. With a return to its traditional January slot, the event attracted almost 1,500 exhibitors from 74 countries and about 30,000 trade visitors from over 140 countries.

The fair boasted a solid international presence, with significant participation from countries across Europe and notable growth from nations outside Europe, including Japan, Canada, and the USA. The high quality of the trade audience, including top global food chains, underscored the event’s importance as a meeting point for the industry. During the event, our team engaged in dialogues with a diverse array of chocolate and confectionery companies, including emerging businesses eager to expand their global footprint.

Invaluable insights

The insights we gathered at ISM 2024 are invaluable. With chocolate prices rising, we learned that many in the industry face challenges yet are eager to adapt and explore new markets. This year’s fair also highlighted a shift in market dynamics, including a notable decrease in participation from the Asian market, attributed to preferences for other international events but also because of decreasing demand in some Asian countries. The deflation and real estate crisis, to name China as an example, impacts consumer behavior and is slowing down or decreasing demand for the time being. Several exporters are, therefore, heading west.