The Alimentaria Hub will once again be the epicenter of innovation at the next edition of Alimentaria+Hostelco, from March 23 to 26 at the Gran Via venue of Fira de Barcelona. The space will bring together more than 200 industry experts to analyze the latest trends and define future opportunities, while showcasing more than 300 innovative and disruptive products.
The Alimentaria Hub is the main hub for knowledge exchange, innovation, and trends at Alimentaria. Its program of activities will include forums, seminars, and workshops focused on key topics such as sustainability, digitalization, food safety, product innovation, and new consumer demands. More than 200 speakers and specialists in these fields are expected to participate.
Among the confirmed events, a highlight is the presentation of an exclusive study on the main food and beverage trends for 2026, focusing on the future of consumption and new market behaviors, by the consulting firm Innova Market Insights. The program will also include a presentation by expert Marius Robles, who will address the relationship between diet and longevity, as well as the impact of emerging technologies on food systems.
The innovation area of Alimentaria will also host the call for entries for the 17th edition of the Ecotrophelia Spain 2026 Awards, promoted by FIAB with the aim of fostering the development of innovative new food products and encouraging young talent in the sector. In addition, the Triptolemos Foundation will present its knowledge platform, considered the most comprehensive database for innovation in food systems, with more than 11,000 documented references.
For Anna Canal, Alimentaria Director, “innovation is the true engine of growth for the food industry, and that is why it is also one of the strategic pillars of the trade show. With The Alimentaria Hub, we are reinforcing our commitment to knowledge, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer, creating an environment where companies, startups, and experts will anticipate trends and enable the transformation of the sector.”
New Products and Trends
In this regard, the more than 3,200 m² space will also showcase over 300 market innovations in the Innoval exhibition area, featuring products and solutions that minimize environmental impact, specifically for the care of our brain, gut, and metabolic health, as well as foods and beverages that promote longevity, and the latest technological advances where AI plays a crucial role in offering more personalized nutrition, liquid meals, and the boldest flavors from ethnic cuisines around the world. All these new products will be eligible for the Innoval Awards, which will once again recognize the most disruptive foods in their category and the most advanced in terms of conception, development, and launch. New this year, an award will also be given to the distributor that has demonstrated the greatest commitment to innovation.
The jury for these awards will be chaired by José María Bonmatí, CEO of AECOC, and will include, for the first time, Rosa Cubel, Secretary of Food for the Government of Catalonia; Joan Sabartés, Operations Director of the Bon Preu Group; and Víctor Pérez, Commercial and Operations Director of the IFA Group, among many others.
The Alimentaria Hub is supported by AECOC, CNTA, Carreras, Acciona, Ainia, Eurecat, Innova Market Insights, Sam, and Savi.
More Focus on Entrepreneurs
The Alimentaria Hub will also enhance the space dedicated to startups and spin-offs, transforming it into an environment for networking, business, and visibility, going beyond a purely exhibition model. The Food&Hospitality Startups project, supported by IRTA (Institute of Agrifood Technology and Research) of the Government of Catalonia and CaixaBank, will bring together up to 65 startups from the food ecosystem for the first time. The aim is to showcase the most transformative initiatives in the world of food, beverages, and equipment for restaurants, hotels, and catering services. These emerging companies will have the opportunity to present their projects in short sessions to investors, companies, and strategic professionals in the sector, as well as participate in networking activities and B2B meetings. The most innovative startup and the one presenting the project with the greatest potential for market growth will be awarded.
Beyond this dedicated space, innovation and the latest market trends will be explored throughout the event. In this regard, areas such as The Alimentaria Trends stand out; with an area of 1,000m2, it will be the space designated to host some of the productive subsectors with the greatest potential
such as vegan foods, plant-based protein products, allergen-free products, Halal-certified products, and functional foods. Alongside these, the Grocery Foods area will bring together leading companies in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, consolidating an offering that reflects market evolution and new consumer demands.
According to a study by the consulting firm Ayming, 85% of Spanish companies plan to increase their investment in innovation by 2026. Compared to its European counterparts, Spain leads the way in projected increased investment in innovation, ahead of France (82%), Italy (79%), Germany (76%), and the United Kingdom (70%).
Connecting Industry and the Hospitality of the Future
Alimentaria+Hostelco, organized by Alimentaria Exhibitions, a Fira de Barcelona company, expects to host around 3,300 exhibiting companies, occupying 100,000 m² of net exhibition space across 7 pavilions, practically the entire Gran Via venue at Fira de Barcelona. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the event anticipates welcoming over 110,000 trade visitors, 25% of whom will be international, reaffirming its leadership as the main platform for driving business, internationalization, and networking.
