The free-from market continues to enjoy a surge in popularity, with consumers increasingly embracing eco-friendly and free-from alternatives.
In 2020, free-from value sales increased by 16.9%, to break the £1 billion (€1.18 billion) ceiling. This growth continued throughout 2021, with early reports showing demand soaring by 19.6% (£496.1 million).
It is against this backdrop that Free From Functional & Health Ingredients (FFF&HI) returns to the Fira, Barcelona, from 7 to 8 June 2022.
The event – which bills itself as ‘the ultimate free-from, organic and vegan experience’ – is anticipated to host more than 320 exhibitors, showcasing thousands of innovative products and brands, from over 53 countries globally.
This year’s FFF&HI will provide brands, retailers, and food manufacturers with a one-stop shop for all their free-from, functional food, and health ingredient needs, with the likes of Alifarma, Muesli Up, DCS Free From, Dafco, and Airos Gluten-Free showcasing the very best products and latest innovations from within these sectors.
Brands and ingredients will also be on show by location. The event’s country pavilions will capture the trends and innovations showcased by suppliers, spanning Austria, Bolivia, Chile, Finland, Denmark, Sicily, Thailand, Korea, and more.
Alongside a stellar line-up of exhibitors, the event will host a dedicated conference programme featuring academics, researchers and consultants from across the functional food and health ingredient industry.
Divided into three streams – Free From Retail, Vegan and Plant-Based, and Supplier and Insight – attendees can gain insights into contemporary topics such as sustainable packaging, start-up branding, healthy bakery ingredients, consumer behaviour post-pandemic, and more.
The conference will draw visitors from within the sector, eager to explore how they can add a crucial point of difference to their business.
With a full line-up set to be announced, early speaker confirmations include representatives from Innova Market Insights, HRA Global, Lantern, the University of Barcelona, the Spanish industry association AECOC, and Unión Vegetariana Española (Spain).
Commenting on this year’s event, director Ronald Holman said, “Industry research shows that the sector is well and truly booming, thanks to greater consumer concern about health and well-being post-COVID, so we are excited to help our visitors and exhibitors capitalise on this.
“There will be lots of networking opportunities, enabling those within the industry to reconnect and make new contacts, as well as vast learning opportunities through our popular conference. This year’s event is sure to be the best yet, enabling top professionals in the industry to engage and plan for the future, as we emerge from the depths of the pandemic.”
For more information and to register to attend, click here.
© 2022 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest A-brand news. Sponsored post. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
