Unveiled yesterday in Milan, IFFA 2025 is set to be the key event for the meat and alternative proteins sector. Scheduled to take place from May 3 to May 8, 2025, in Frankfurt, the trade fair will provide a comprehensive overview of the latest innovations in processing, packaging, and ingredients, with a strong focus on emerging market trends.
Under the motto “Rethinking Meat and Proteins,” IFFA 2025 aims to redefine the industry through four core themes: performance enhancement, data optimization, sustainability, and product diversification. Organized by Messe Frankfurt, the event has already garnered strong participation from exhibitors and leading market players.
Over 1,000 exhibitors from around 50 countries, including the United States, Brazil, and China, will showcase their solutions across 116,000 square meters of exhibition space in Halls 8, 9, 11, and 12 of the Frankfurt trade fair grounds.
Introducing “IFFA Worlds”
One of the major innovations of the 2025 edition is the introduction of “IFFA Worlds,” themed areas that will guide visitors through the sector’s latest advancements. These include:
- World of Processing – Focused on the safe and efficient processing of meat and proteins.
- World of Packaging – Highlighting innovative packaging solutions.
- World of Ingredients – Showcasing new ingredients and essential components.
- World of New Proteins – Exploring alternatives to conventional meat.
- World of Skills and Sales – Providing insights into professional knowledge and expertise.
A Global Event for the Industry
IFFA continues to be the leading trade fair for the sector, attracting an international audience, with 71% of visitors coming from abroad, representing around 150 countries. The event draws professionals from protein processing, artisanal butcheries, food retail, and catering industries.
Wolfgang Marzin, President and CEO of Messe Frankfurt, emphasized the event’s strategic importance:
“IFFA 2025 will be an unmissable opportunity for the industry. The response from exhibitors has been outstanding, and we anticipate seeing numerous innovations. The fair will serve as a meeting point for companies of all sizes, operating in various markets and specializing in diverse protein sources.”
An Evolving Industry
The global market for meat processing machinery reached a record €2.7 billion in 2023. According to the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association, the demand for advanced technologies is expected to remain stable in 2024, providing a solid foundation for a successful trade fair. However, the sector faces challenges such as rising energy costs and a shortage of skilled labor.
Richard Clemens, Managing Director of VDMA NuV, stated:
“IFFA is the premier trade fair for the meat and alternative protein industry. In an ever-evolving market, it offers innovative solutions for new product development and shapes the future of the industry.”
For artisanal butcheries, the event is also a crucial opportunity to stay up to date and invest in advanced technologies. Herbert Dohrmann, President of the German Butchers’ Association, noted:
“The challenges in our industry require us to innovate. IFFA is a place for discussion, networking, and inspiration for the future of artisanal butchery.”
European Companies Lead the Market – China is Catching Up
Approximately 80% of meat processing machines sold worldwide in 2023 originated from the European Union. Germany led the top 10 supplier countries with a 27% market share, followed by the Netherlands (21%). China has significantly increased its exports in recent years, becoming the third-largest exporter in 2023 with a 9% market share, followed by Italy (7%), the United States (5%), and Denmark, Poland, Spain, France, and Austria (each between 3% and 4%).
44% of meat processing machines exported worldwide were delivered to European countries, of which 31% went to the EU. The second-largest sales region was North America (19%), followed by Asia (15%), Latin America (9%), Africa & the Middle East (9%), and Australia (4%).
The top 10 markets for imported machinery in 2023 were the United States, Russia, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Poland, China, and Spain. In 2023, there was also strong growth from Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia), Central and South America (Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia), the Middle East (Saudi Arabia), and South Africa.
European Exports Decline in 2024 – Italy Continues to Grow
As for sector exports in 2024, available data so far only covers EU-27 foreign trade from January to October. In the first 10 months of 2024, EU exports of meat processing machines declined by 5.6% compared to the exceptionally high levels of the previous year.
However, Italian machinery manufacturers managed to reverse the trend, achieving a 6.7% increase in exports compared to the already high 2023 level (€175 million). In contrast, Germany, the largest exporter, saw a 6.4% decline, with foreign sales dropping to €561 million.
According to VDMA, the negative export trend for EU meat processing machinery is expected to slow down in the coming months due to ongoing deliveries, but it is unlikely to surpass the high level of global trade seen in 2023. For 2025, VDMA anticipates renewed growth momentum, driven in part by the next edition of IFFA.