Food Taipei 2026 welcomes record visitors

Food Taipei, one of the biggest food shows in Southeast Asia, brought together nearly 1,800 exhibitors across 4,750 booths and more than 50,000 visitors, at its 36^th edition, held June 24-27 in Taipei, Taiwan. The mega show, held in three venues spread across Taipei, comprised five exhibitions—Food Taipei, Foodtech Taipei, Bio/Pharmatech Taiwan, Taipei Pack, and Taiwan Horeca—covering the full food industry value chain, from ingredients and processing to packaging and foodservice.

Under the theme “Smart Eating × Green Living,” the 2026 show highlighted the potential of AI, automation, and sustainability to transform food production in the region. Organizers stressed on how Taiwan’s strengths in semiconductors and precision manufacturing can help drive advances in food processing, smart packaging, and low-carbon supply chains.

This year’s show featured exhibitors from 33 countries including Canada as well as a record 21 international pavilions.

At the opening ceremony, James C.F. Huang, chair of the show’s main organizer, Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), highlighted the role food plays in Taiwanese culture.

Dignitaries officially kick off Food Taipei 2026 with a ceremonial toast.

“In Taiwan, food is more than a meal. It carries memory, culture, and human connection.

So today, we are not just opening a trade show. We are gathering at the ‘World’s Table’ here in Taipei, a platform where global supply chains connect, and where culinary traditions meet tomorrow’s technology,” he said.

Huang also highlighted some of the global flavours on display at the show, such as beef from the U.S.; seafood from Japan; craft beers and spirits from the Czech Republic; organic honey from Eswatini; and lean kangaroo meat from Australia.

Next-generation dietary innovations, from precision nutrition to plant-based solutions, were also a topic of discussion at the show. Alternative proteins and its potential to address food supply issues were viewed more positively here than in Canada. Given that we need to produce more protein to meet global consumer demand, speakers stressed plant-based solutions (largely in the ingredient space instead of whole products) using technology like precision fermentation as a viable response to this challenge.

At the opening ceremony, Kuo Feng-piao, chair of the Taiwan Packaging Association, mentioned how Taiwan is training manufacturers to meet upcoming environmental-related regulations. For instance, in the E.U., packaging must comprise 30 per cent of recyclable materials by 2030. Mark Chih-wei Ho, deputy secretary-general to the President, Office of the President, ROC, shared that one of the government’s priorities was to enable companies to invest in automation due to staffing concerns in F&B manufacturing plants. Sounds familiar, eh?

Canada pavilion

The Canadian pavilion featured more than 20 exhibitors showcasing a wide variety of products, including blueberries, flaxseed, soybeans, oats, canola oil, freeze-dried fruits, beef, pork, ginseng, and dried cranberries. Key exhibitors included Ceresco, AGT Food and Ingredients, Junction 56 Distillery, Northern Nutraceuticals, Signé Caméline, and Real Earth Bounty.