ISM reports early bird growth in exhibition space for 2026 event
Stand: Paccari, Finest Creations, Halle 5.2
Following a strongly received 2025 edition, ISM’s flagship global confectionery show in Cologne Germany has reported over 10% growth in exhibition space, year-on-year, for its next show in February 2026, reports Neill Barston.
This year’s event proved memorable in terms of megatrends on display with the all-pervading Dubai chocolate, rise of alternative cocoa ingredients, and new global novelties on display across the show.
Confectionery Production was on hand once again as a media partner, producing our exclusive event video and coverage in print within our magazine, as the show was once again held in parallel to ProSweets, which placed a valuable spotlight on equipment, ingredients and systems for the sector. (watch our video review below)
“Together with the international sweets and snacks industry we are continuing to write the success story of ISM,” said Sabine Schommer, Director ISM, emphasising: “The strong early bird result reflects the industry’s great trust in ISM.”
In spite of challenging market conditions – for example through the volatile prices of raw materials – the companies’ interest is unabated, with strong interest already being registered for the event, which takes place between 1-4 February next year.
As the organisers of ISM noted, in addition to well-known brands from all over the globe, small and medium-sized companies, newcomers and start-ups, the 2026 is also attracting plenty of major international companies.
These include: Baronie (Belgium), Canel’s (Mexico), Colombina (Colombia), Elvan (Turkey), Fini (Spain), Gubor with Riegelein and Rübezahl (Germany), ICAM (Italy), Manner (Austria), Kambly (Switzerland), Katjes (Germany), Kervan (Turkey), Kras (Croatia), Krüger (Germany), Lambertz (Germany), Loacker (Italy), Millenium (Ukraine), Natra (Spain), Ragolds (Germany), Roshen (Ukraine), Sölen (Turkey), Toms (Denmark), Trolli (Germany), Valor (Spain), Vidal (Spain), Want Want China (Taiwan), Wawel (Poland) and WAWI (Germany).
The event will be returning alongside ProSweets Cologne, the international supply fair for the sweets and snacks industry, a unique trade fair alliance arises, offered a strong combined offering across the industry value chain.
Functional sweets focus
Significantly, with 2026 being an Interpack year meaning that all eyes on the equipment and systems front are likely to be focused on Dusseldorf for that international show next May, ISM has pivoted some of its focus upon a new functional sweets section for its event next year.
This will concentrates on raw materials, ingredients and semi-finished product areas, which is anticipated to form a valuable new point of focus for the show.
As its organisers observed, the ingredients programme is responding to current trends such as Health & Wellness, Functional Food and Convenience with this targeted expansion of the trade fair offer. The clearly segregated section offers functional sweets a central stage – from cough sweets with medicinal herbs or chewing gum with collagen, through to products containing vitamins, melatonin or botanic essence. Furthermore, the new section underlines the role of ISM as a trendsetter and driving force – both in the classic food retail trade and beyond.
Formats like the Creator Day, the Sweet Week Talks & Tasting Stage or the new section for functional confectionery – ISM Functional Sweets – show: ISM further develops continually and keeps on setting new impulses. It thus not only remains to be a central marketplace for new products, but also an international meeting point for decision-makers of the sweets and snacks industry – from buyers and chains, to importers, through to distributors from all continents.
