76,800 trade visitors, 1,373 exhibitors, and trade fair contracts worth EUR 2.1 bn: this is reported by the baking industry trade fair iba 2018, which recently took place in Munich. The visitors were particularly interested in testing new products and in the presentation of innovations in production technology, raw materials, and shopfitting.

58 hours of ambience, exchange, and contacts: the 24th iba has set standards for the next three years. The leading world fair for bakery, pastry and snacks showed the trends in the industry as well as solutions for the challenges ahead. The industry is changing as a result of digitization and automation, changed eating habits and consumer wishes, the increasing mobility of the population, new sales concepts, and a trend towards special, individual, and high-quality products. At iba, the focus was on the main topic digitization. Digital products were professionally exhibited at nearly every trade fair stand. The result of a survey showed that both exhibitors and trade visitors see digital solutions and processes, new business models and product safety as the key developments
for their sector.

Digitization opens up new possibilities. For example, raw materials and ingredients can be weighed automatically, machines networked or ovens loaded and cleaned automatically. The employees can thus focus on nothing but the essential: baking. At iba, companies not only found suitable software, technology and machines, but also various best practice examples applied with successful companies. Digital systems also help to plan or to inform customers
by sorting goods according to allergens and displaying the ingredients used.

Consumer demand, such as for special, healthy, or sustainable products, is another factor affecting the industry. Wheat is facing increasing competition, not only from spelt or rye, but also from original cereals such as einkorn or emmer. There are also exotic concepts such as insects as a raw material for baked goods.

Combining and mixing ingredients and flavours not previously used together is an upcoming trend. The walls between sweet and salty are falling. In addition, alternatives to traditional sugar as well as the desire for vegan products will gain in importance. Technical developments will also influence work: a prominent example are 3D printers for the food industry.

In addition to being the leading exhibition for products, iba is also a ground-breaking knowledge platform. In this spirit, it presented a new main topic from the sector each day, e.g., at the iba.Forum or the newly created iba.Speakers Corner. Altogether, there were more than 100 lectures in these two areas for knowledge transfer alone. The aim was for the audience to not only have the opportunity for personal exchange with experts, but to also gain practical
know-how of topics that will significantly influence industry. This information package, specially tailored to the target group’s needs, can be quickly and profitably integrated into day-to-day business.

The lively atmosphere in the halls was also reflected in the general assessment of the industry’s economic development. The future of the industry is looking good: in an independent survey, seven out of ten visitors said that the economic situation would improve or remain equally good.

The next iba is set to take place in Munich from 23 to 28 October 2021.