iba ’25. Photo: GHM
Shorter absence still makes the heart grow quite fond: after meeting at iba in Munich in October 2023, baking professionals joined the new edition in May 2025 in Dusseldorf, ready to talk business. As always, entertainment was also ensured, brought by dynamic competitions and events.
One-on-one conversations, reconnecting with partners and friends, exploring details for new projects, live demonstrations, innovation highlights, hands-on product testing, festivities, and exciting competitions: this was iba 2025 with the unmistakable aroma of freshly baked treats at the stands, which truly marked what a baking industry show is all about.
The trade fair gathered diverse possible answers to all questions surrounding the future of bakeries. Studies on trends were presented, showing that authenticity is appreciated in simple yet indulgent and exciting offerings that can spark viral moments.
Trends in all areas were in the spotlight: Artificial Intelligence was one of the trending topics among the exhibitor stands, highlighted by the organizers under its ‘Digitalization’ focus, which also included a dedicated area with this name. AI tools can increase efficiency, optimize planning and ensure traceability.
Artisan bakery was one of the top focus topics, with 19,000 square metres of exhibition space dedicated to it, where visitors could find anything from sustainable shop fitting ideas, such as hybrid shop concepts, to mobile stores or energy-efficient ovens. This focus also included a special acknowledgement – the Award of the Honorary Prize of the German Bakery Trade, for outstanding artisan bakeries that have been awarded gold in the quality tests carried out by the German Bread Institute.
Competitions also celebrated artisan baking: the German master baker championship, held on May 20, brought together the country’s best bakers. This championship requires not only creativity, but also the utmost craftsmanship, to create edible art, this year with the theme ‘Passion’. The German Championship of Master Bakers was won by
Sebastian Brücklmaier and Yannik Dittmar.
The Bread Sommelier World Championship, a new entry in 2025, was another event that attracted enthusiastic crowds. Out of 16 certified bread sommeliers from 12 countries, Michael Kress (Germany) was the winner of the premier event. Christoph Heger (Germany) came in second place, and Urs Röthlin (Switzerland) won third. The competition included an aroma challenge, bread descriptions and knowledge tests about the breads from around the world.
In other anticipated competitions, the team from France, represented by Corentin Molina and Yannis Thouy, won the iba UIBC Cup of Bakers; and In Seok Kim and Kyung Joo Jang from Korea earned gold at the iba UIBC Cup of Confectioners.
Innovation is always in demand. Among the 13 startups supported by iba with a dedicated space, this year’s winner, Brazilian-British company Fonte Ingredientes, developed a way to keep baked goods fresh for longer with a liquid anti-mold product containing more than 80 % organic substances.
The iba.FORUM and iba.STAGE hosted around 50 presentations and 70 speakers, for knowledge exchange sessions that gathered audiences. Industry experts brought to the stage today’s main topics, from the renaissance of sourdough, chocolate alternatives, and enzymes as game changers in the baking industry, to the automation of traditional production processes and the use of artificial intelligence in bakeries.
Roland Ermer, President of the German Bakers’ Confederation commented: “iba 2025 was a gathering of the baking sector that I will remember for a long time. Over the past five days, I’ve experienced with great enthusiasm just how passionate the baking trade can be – both nationally and internationally. The competitions showcased outstanding craftsmanship, and we had inspiring discussions with fellow professionals taking home a great deal of knowledge and inspiration. Once again, it became clear: exchange and dialogue are the driving forces of our baking industry. I’m already looking forward to iba 2027 in Munich.”
From May 18 to 22, organizers recorded 49,115 visitors from 149 countries who came to Dusseldorf to attend iba 2025. The show halls spanning 100,000 sqm hosted 985 exhibitors from 46 countries. For the previous edition held in 2023, the attendance figures for the show in Munich were as follows: 1,073 exhibitors from 46 countries and 57,000 visitors from 150 countries. In 2018, more than 77,000 trade visitors from around 170 countries came to iba, and over 1,300 companies exhibited. Next, the trade show is gearing up for its 2027 edition, in its traditional three-year time slot, when it will be once again be held in Munich, from October 24 to 28.
