20 years…

Yes, this year we are celebrating our 20th anniversary: Trade magazin was launched in 2006, debuting at the Foodapest food industry exhibition with its first 100-page issue. Looking back on the time that has passed between then and now, it seems like the blink of an eye, but still, how many memories it holds…

This article is available for reading in Trade magazin 2026/02-03

The team hasn’t changed much, we have grown steadily and sometimes we lost a colleague or two. There have been difficult times, for instance shortly after we had started in 2008 we were hit by the first economic recession… but we have also had many successful periods together with the FMCG market. Our business success largely depends on the current market situation of our partners. It is needless to say that it is essential to adapt resiliently to the given circumstances – we already know that today – and the key to the balance lies in each and every cog in the wheel, so this has been the case with our team too.

We are grateful to our partners and readers for standing by us over the past 20 years, and we hope that they will continue to do so for at least the next 20 years. I am also grateful to the Trade magazin team for doing their work every day with the same unwavering enthusiasm as when they started.

According to the Chinese horoscope, 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse and those who are knowledgeable in numerology believe in the number 10 this year, but we all know that this will be a very turbulent, unpredictable and by no means easy year. The January figures are encouraging for most, but the year got off to a very busy start – you could say that the December rush never really ended. Everyone wants a fast pace and somehow the spring fatigue seems to be with us already, even though it is only the weather that is showing its unusual face – which is certainly welcomed by those working in agriculture. But nobody has a crystal ball, from which we could plan with precision for the rest of the year.

What is certain for now is that the first two months have flown by with a busy start to 2026, and SIRHA Budapest 2026 – of which we are the official media partner – is opening. We will be present as the organiser of many programmes between 3 and 5 March at the Hungexpo Fair Centre , in addition to the 10th Future Store stand of our magazine. Then in April the Promotion of the Year competition and related conference will return, followed in May by the 5th annual Inno d’Or Innovation of the Year competition and trade day. Before the month ends we will host our first full-day 20th Business Meetup&Dinner conference for decision-makers, which will be followed in September by the 20th Business Days with a 5+2-day programme. This is where we will hold our Retailer of the Year and Symbol of Sustainability awards ceremonies this year.

These events offer a great opportunity to celebrate our birthday throughout the year. We would be delighted if you, would join us – perhaps at more than one of our programmes! We are looking forward to seeing you!

Best regards,

Zsuzsanna Hermann, Editor in Chief