With a significant increase in visitor numbers of 23%, measurable business successes and innovative formats, ProSweets Cologne 2025 has made a strong statement in the supplier industry for confectionery and snacks. With a leading European content programme, the trade fair has positioned itself as a driving force in a challenging global market.

"The results of our visitor survey and the strong figures for ProSweets Cologne 2025 speak for themselves: the ProSweets Cologne concept works as a platform, as a networker, as a driver of innovation," summarises Guido Hentschke, Director of ProSweets Cologne. "A targeted mix of high-quality content, customised matchmaking formats and strategic synergy with ISM makes all the difference."

Over 23% more visitors than in the previous year, a high number of business deals concluded directly on site and measurable satisfaction: 70% of those surveyed rated the trade fair positively overall and 88% would recommend it to others without reservation. The active business matchmaking approach, which brought producers together with suppliers in a targeted manner, was rated particularly positively. The defining formats in 2025 included Lab5 by ISM, which brought additional dynamism to the trade fair as an innovation hub, as well as the new joint Expert Stage and Sweet Week Talks & Tasting Stage, which has established itself as a stage with interactive presentations, start-up pitches, live tastings with creators, workshops and live podcasts. Exhibitors and visitors alike emphasised the proximity to ISM, the thematic interlinking and the active networking as a decisive advantage.

ProSweets Cologne will continue to rely on its proven recipe for success in the coming year with important additions: Lab5 by ISM will remain anchored in Hall 10.1, the stage format will be continued and expanded with new theme clusters. With the introduction of ISM Ingredients from February 2026, the growth area of raw materials, ingredients and semi-finished products will move even closer to ISM producers as an independent trade fair format that specifically promotes synergies between suppliers and manufacturers and consistently continues the positive upward trend of ProSweets Cologne as a platform for forward-looking developments.