Turkish Business World (TRBW) has become an official media partner of WorldFood Istanbul 2026, the International Food Products and Technologies Exhibition organised by ICA Events. The 34th edition takes place on 15–18 December 2026 at Istanbul Expo Center (İstanbul Fuar Merkezi, IFM) in Yeşilköy. This year the fair moves to a new venue and new dates, and it opens a new chapter for us too: TRBW will cover it for business readers in Russian, English and Chinese.
Key points
- WorldFood Istanbul 2026 is the 34th edition of one of Eurasia’s longest-running food trade fairs; dates 15–18 December 2026, venue Istanbul Expo Center.
- Last year the fair drew nearly 80,000 visitors, 30% of them from more than 150 countries, and over 1,300 exhibitors from 40 countries.
- More than 900 VIP buyers from 100 countries attended, and close to 40,000 B2B meetings were held.
- On the opening day, the FOOD Arena programme hosts four sessions coordinated by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Türkiye, with FAO, WFP and IFAD.
- TRBW will publish an announcement, an industry analysis and practical coverage for foreign companies in three languages.
What does the TRBW and WorldFood Istanbul partnership mean?
In short: our readers get first-hand information on the fair and the Turkish food market, and the fair reaches entrepreneurs from Central Asia, Russia, China and other markets who are looking for suppliers and partners in Türkiye.
As part of the partnership, TRBW will:
- publish an announcement and an industry article on the Turkish food sector in Russian, English and Chinese;
- cover the fair on LinkedIn, X, Telegram and Instagram;
- include WorldFood Istanbul in our newsletter on Türkiye’s upcoming trade fairs.
The TRBW logo appears among the fair’s media partners on worldfood-istanbul.com, and the organiser will feature its partners in a joint post closer to the event.
What is WorldFood Istanbul?
WorldFood Istanbul is an international B2B trade fair for food products and food technologies, held annually since the early 1990s. It is one of the main gateways for the Turkish food industry to the world and a meeting point for producers, importers, distributors, retail chains and HoReCa buyers.
The organiser, ICA Events, also runs leading Turkish fairs in construction, tourism, cosmetics, rail systems and logistics, and brings its international network of buyers to each of them.
WorldFood Istanbul 2026 at a glance
| Full name | International Food Products and Technologies Exhibition – WorldFood Istanbul |
| Edition | 34th |
| Dates | 15–18 December 2026 |
| Venue | Istanbul Expo Center (İstanbul Fuar Merkezi, IFM), Yeşilköy, Istanbul |
| Organiser | ICA Events |
| Format | Trade fair for industry professionals, with pre-registration online |
| Website | worldfood-istanbul.com |
How big is WorldFood Istanbul? Results of the previous edition
According to the organiser, the previous edition welcomed nearly 80,000 visitors, with domestic and foreign visitors split roughly 70/30.
| Indicator | Previous edition |
|---|---|
| Visitors | almost 80,000 |
| Share of foreign visitors | 30%, from more than 150 countries |
| Exhibitors | over 1,300 from 40 countries |
| Brands | over 3,000 |
| Product groups | over 100 |
| VIP buyers | over 900 from 100 countries |
| B2B meetings | almost 40,000 |
WorldFood Istanbul Director Semi Benbanaste says the fair has been an inseparable part of the Turkish food sector’s growth and international expansion for 34 years. In his words, this accumulated experience helps the team read the industry’s needs and take the fair a step further with each edition; this year the organisers aim to raise their targets again.
What is on the programme at WorldFood Istanbul 2026?
The main business event is the FOOD Arena conference programme on the opening day, 15 December. It will look at the future of food systems after the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) through the lens of food security, climate change, resilience, sustainable production and financing.
- Four sessions are coordinated by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Türkiye.
- The hosts are UN agencies, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
- Speakers include UN officials and leading industry representatives; the sessions are moderated by Ilgaz Gürsoy and İrfan Donat.
For companies this is a chance to hear how the global climate and food security agenda will translate into requirements for producers, supply chains and financing in the coming years.
Who should visit WorldFood Istanbul?
The fair is most useful for companies that buy, sell or produce food and want direct contact with Turkish manufacturers and international buyers:
- Importers and distributors from Central Asia, Russia, the Caucasus, China and the Middle East looking for Turkish suppliers;
- Retail chains and wholesalers sourcing new products and private-label manufacturers;
- HoReCa companies looking for ingredients, ready-made products and equipment;
- Food producers planning to enter the Turkish market or find partners in Türkiye;
- Logistics, packaging and food-tech companies serving the sector.
Before the trip, it is worth preparing a shortlist of target exhibitors, setting meetings in advance and checking certification and labelling requirements for your market. Our guide Food & Beverage Fairs in Türkiye 2026: Opportunities for Foreign Producers covers the wider fair calendar and practical tips.
What comes next on TRBW
Ahead of the fair we will publish an industry analysis of the Turkish food market: export trends, key product groups and what matters for foreign buyers. During the fair, follow our coverage on LinkedIn, X, Telegram and Instagram.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is WorldFood Istanbul 2026?
On 15–18 December 2026 at Istanbul Expo Center (İstanbul Fuar Merkezi, IFM) in Yeşilköy, Istanbul.
Who organises WorldFood Istanbul?
ICA Events, which also runs leading Turkish fairs in construction, tourism, cosmetics, rail systems and logistics.
How many visitors and exhibitors does the fair attract?
The previous edition had nearly 80,000 visitors (30% from abroad, more than 150 countries) and over 1,300 exhibitors from 40 countries.
How do I attend?
The fair is for industry professionals. Visitor registration and stand booking are available on the official website worldfood-istanbul.com.
What is TRBW’s role?
TRBW is an official media partner: we cover the fair and the Turkish food market in Russian, English and Chinese.
Source
- ICA Events press release on WorldFood Istanbul 2026, October 2026.
- Official WorldFood Istanbul website
This material is for information purposes and was prepared in the framework of TRBW’s media partnership with WorldFood Istanbul 2026. Figures are given according to the organiser as of October 2026; please check dates and participation terms on the official website.