ISM Cologne: tradition and innovation, fruits, proteins, free and sweet

The world’s largest confectionery expo, ISM Cologne, which celebrated its 50th anniversary, closed its doors on 5 February.

The anniversary event received 37,000 professional visitors from 148 countries and hosted 1,774 exhibitors from 76 countries. In addition to significant German trade representatives, Walmart, Carrefour, Costco, Schwarz Gruppe, Tesco, Aldi, Edeka, Rewe, Amazon and Walgreens were among the biggest buyers, importers and distributors of sweets.

Fourteen Hungarian exhibitors attended the event, including several members of the Hungarian Confectionery Manufacturers Association. Premium products, unusual flavor components, snacks based on natural ingredients, vegetable or insect based proteins, as well as vegan, vegetarian, fat and sugar reduced and proven ethical trends have been on the rise this year. Nevertheless, traditional sweets continued to be the backbone of the exhibition.