iba introduces two new events in May 2025: a new competition and a space for trends. The ‘World Championship of Bread Sommeliers’ will be held at iba for the first time, joining the trade show’s competitions such as the iba.UIBC.Cup of Bakers and the iba.UIBC.Cup of Confectioners.
Until the upcoming exhibition, iba’s multimedia campaign, ‘Baking New Ways’, will present various players and innovative concepts from the industry as well as the trade show’s highlights. The topics will be selected based on their significance for the baking industry.
Trade visitors welcome iba’s comeback. This October, 1,073 exhibitors from 46 countries showcased their latest developments in 10 halls, for 57,000 visitors from 150 countries attending the show. The fair in Munich saw full aisles for an anticipated industry reunion. By comparison, more than 77,000 trade visitors from around 170 countries came to iba in 2018. In total, over 1,300 companies exhibited 5 years ago.
WECARRY from Germany is the recipient of the first iba.START UP AWARD. The public voted for their favorite new concept out of the 24 startups at the show via the iba.UNIVERSE online tool as well as on-site throughout the trade fair.
Lin Yeqiang and Feng Yingjie from China won the 2023 iba.UIBC.CUP of Bakers. Teams from 12 countries competed live for the gold medal this year at iba. Working in teams of two, 12 nations took on the challenge. They included the best bakers from Peru, Japan, France, China, Greece, Germany, Korea, Iceland, Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Italy.
Food trends are one of the four focus topics at the trade fair in October, along with artisan bakery, digitalization and sustainability. Karin Tischer, the founder of food & more, highlighted the trends that are emerging around the world, which are reflected at the iba.FOOD TRENDS TOURS. Four food trends have emerged in 2023, the researcher highlights: digitization, health orientation with indulgence, Food & Beverage trend booster, as well as sustainability.
Robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and automated order and payment processes will be showcased at iba, part of the show’s digitalization focus. Visitors will be able to discover new opportunities in the iba.DIGITALISATION AREA, supported by AHA 360° and Shop-IQ.
Artisan bakery is one of the focus topics at iba in October 2023, combining tradition with innovation and national with international perspectives. The highlights will include exhibitor product presentations, dedicated action areas as well as lectures held at the iba.SPEAKERS AREA and the iba.FORUM. Competitions such as the German Championships of Master Bakers or the iba.UIBC.CUP of Bakers and Confectioners will also bring craftsmanship into the spotlight.
iba 2023 will introduce a new hall structure. The organizers announced the halls will be grouped by topic this year: packaging technology in hall B1, and production technology and equipment in halls A1, A2, B2, B3, C1 and C2.
As might have been expected, machine and plant controller automation and digitalization were one of the major topics at the iba trade fair.
