Food Trade Fair Exhibitor Lists: Finding Importers and Distributors

An exhibitor list is a list of companies with a stand; it does not show visitors. Knowing that sets the right expectation. Food fairs are not only for producers: importers and distributors present their portfolios, national pavilions bring producers looking for foreign markets, and brands look for private label manufacturers. If you sell packaging, ingredients or processing equipment, the exhibiting producers are your customers.

Importer

Brings the product into its own country and takes on customs and labelling duties. Often distributes as well.

Distributor

Supplies retailers, wholesalers and foodservice. Uses fairs to add brands to its range.

Retail buyer

Selects products for a supermarket category. Usually visits rather than exhibits, and often buys through an importer.

Foodservice (HoReCa)

Hotels, restaurants and catering. Expects catering packs, consistent quality and reliable delivery.

Private label

A product sold under a retailer's or brand's own name and made by another manufacturer.

A few large international fairs anchor the food calendar. The details below come from the organisers' own websites; dates appear only in the live table and on the fair pages.

Anuga and SIAL draw European importers and distributors; Gulfood reaches the Gulf, the wider Middle East, Africa and South Asia; WorldFood Istanbul suits companies trading with Türkiye and its neighbours. Choose the list by the market you want to sell into, not by the size of the fair.

Showing 15 of 45 fairs. See all of them in the food trade fair calendar, and every fair with a ready list under exhibitor lists.

Food trade fairs by country: Türkiye, Germany, Iran.

In food, the buyer's first question is often about documents, not price. Rules differ by country, so check the official sources of your target market. The general picture:

• Food safety certification: many retail chains and importers expect suppliers to hold a recognised standard such as BRCGS, IFS or FSSC 22000.
• Labelling: the product is labelled in the language and under the rules of the country of sale. In the EU, food information rules are set by Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011; Great Britain applies its own retained version.
• Market documents: halal certification is often required for Gulf and some Asian markets, and organic products need a certificate recognised in the market of sale.
• Shelf life and logistics: for distant markets, shelf life and the cold chain often decide which products are worth offering.

In practice: prioritise markets where your certificates are accepted, and name the certificate in your first message. It answers the buyer's first screening question straight away.

• Six to eight weeks before the fair: open the list in your account and group companies by country and product category. Keep importers and distributors apart from producers who compete with you.
• Three to four weeks before: send a short introduction and meeting request. Our meeting request templates cover timing and wording.
• Fair week: meet those who replied at their stand, with samples, a price list and copies of your certificates.
• The week after: send a summary and the offer you discussed. Our guide on following up after a trade fair covers the details. The list stays useful after the fair, too.

These time frames are rough practical guidance, not measured figures.

In Expomatik the list is opened in your account and campaigns go to each company's general business address; there is no targeting of named decision makers. Opens are not tracked, so replies are the measure. The price of a list is shown before you open it; current prices are on Pricing.

Because the message reaches a general inbox, make it easy to forward. Keep it short and concrete, and end with one question. For example:

The product and certificate in the example are placeholders; use your own facts. Never mention a certificate you do not hold or a lead time you cannot meet: in food, that is the first thing a buyer checks.

Rules for marketing emails depend on the recipient's country. The UK allows emails to corporate addresses with a clear sender and an opt-out, while Germany requires prior consent even for businesses. Every email should carry an unsubscribe link and your sender details. Read Is It Legal to Email Trade Fair Exhibitors? for the UK and EU rules, and How to Get a Trade Fair Exhibitor List for the sources of exhibitor data. This article is general information, not legal advice.

To preview what a list contains before deciding anything, create a free account.

Does a food fair exhibitor list include buyers?

An exhibitor list shows the companies with a stand, not the visitors. At food fairs, however, many exhibitors are importers, distributors and brand owners looking for private label manufacturers. For packaging, ingredient and equipment suppliers, the exhibiting producers are themselves the customers.

Can I reach supermarket buyers through an exhibitor list?

Rarely directly. Retail chains usually visit food fairs rather than exhibit. The realistic route is the importers and distributors who already supply those chains, and they often do exhibit.

Who receives an email sent from Expomatik?

Campaigns go to the general business address published by each company, such as info or sales. There is no targeting of named decision makers, so a short message that asks to be forwarded to the buying team works best.

Is it legal to email food fair exhibitors?

It depends on the recipient's country. In the UK, PECR allows marketing emails to corporate subscribers such as limited companies without prior consent if you identify yourself and offer an opt-out; sole traders and some partnerships count as individuals. Germany requires prior consent even for businesses. This is general information, not legal advice.