Carob Fairs and Sectoral Organizations
Carob products; Since it is traded in many different forms such as fruit, broken (granule), powder, seed, gum and extract, it does not reach its buyers through a single channel. Food manufacturers, ingredient buyers, organic product distributors and market chains come together in different sectoral organizations. For this reason, fairs in carob trade are one of the most effective ways to meet new buyers and strengthen the relationship with existing customers.
In this article, we discuss the types of fairs where carob products can take place, the main internationally known food fairs, the options in Turkey, public support and the preparations that need to be made to get real results from the fair. We have compiled the fair information from the official pages of the organizers and reliable sources; since the exact dates change every period, they should be confirmed on the organizer's website before participation.
Why Are Trade Fairs Important in Carob Trade?
Carob is a raw material that the buyer wants to see, smell, taste and discuss the technical features of the product. Features such as the color and fineness of the powder product, the piece size of the kibble, the cleanliness of the seed or the consistency of the extract are evaluated in a face-to-face interview and on the sample rather than the catalog photo. Fairs offer the opportunity to make this evaluation with dozens of buyers in a few days.
Academic studies also support the importance of fairs for small and medium-sized enterprises. A study conducted on SMEs in Australia and New Zealand defined fairs as "temporary sector areas" where networks are established for internationalization; it has shown that the relationships established at fairs are positively related to the operational performance of businesses, and their impact on financial performance is indirectly revealed through these operational gains (Gerschewski et al., 2020). In other words, the fair is not a place where orders are written immediately at the stand; it is the place where the relationship leading to sales begins.
In a study conducted in Turkey, 124 companies were surveyed at three international fairs held in Istanbul in 2013; It was found that the most important performance dimensions for Turkish SMEs at the fair were sales-related targets and information collection. The same study revealed that the activities carried out in each of the pre-fair, during, and post-fair stages affected this performance (Çobanoğlu and Turaeva, 2014). This finding clearly shows that the fair is not just about a few days when you open a stand.
In Which Fairs Are Carob Products Included?
An internationally known and regularly held trade fair specific to carob is not common. Carob products are usually positioned according to the targeted buyer group within more comprehensive organizations. When choosing a fair, it is necessary to first answer the question "who do I want to sell to?":
- General food and beverage exhibitions: They are large organizations where market chains, importers, wholesalers and distributors come. Packaged carob powder is suitable for molasses, snacks and coffee alternative products.
- Food ingredients fairs: These are the fairs where the R&D and purchasing teams of food manufacturers are looking for raw materials. It is one of the most accurate channels for industrial inputs such as carob powder, kibble, gums and extracts.
- Organic product fairs: It provides a targeted buyer audience for companies offering organic certified carob products.
- Private label fairs: These are fairs where suppliers who want to produce products to be sold to market chains under their own brands meet with retailers.
- Regional and national fairs: They are lower-cost and focused options for companies that want to focus on a specific market (such as the Gulf, Europe, Turkey).
International General Food Fairs
The following fairs are the world-renowned meeting points of the food and beverage industry. Since the dates change every period, only general period information is given here.
| Fair | City / Space | Frequency and period | Feature spotlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anuga | Cologne, Koelnmesse (Germany) | Every two years, in October | Numerous sub-segments, including organic |
| SIAL Paris | Paris Nord Villepinte (France) | Every two years, in October | For professionals, innovation-driven |
| Gulfood | Dubai (UAE) | Every year, in the first months of the year | Gateway to the Gulf and surrounding markets |
Anuga (Cologne)
Anuga is a biennial food and beverage fair held at the Koelnmesse fairground in Cologne, Germany. The fair is held in October and its history dates back to 1919, when the first organization was held in Stuttgart. The organizer is Koelnmesse GmbH. Fair; It is divided into specialized segments such as fine foods, beverages, meat, dairy products and organic and targets trade visitors. For companies with carob powder, molasses or organic products, it is important to choose the relevant segment correctly.
SIAL Paris
SIAL Paris is a food innovation fair held every two years, in October, at the Paris Nord Villepinte fairgrounds. It is aimed at professionals such as producers, importers, buyers, retailers and the industry press. According to 2022 data cited by the French promotional organization Promosalons, the fair brought together approximately 7,000 exhibitors from 127 countries and approximately 265,000 trade visitors from 200 countries. This scale means both opportunity and difficulty in terms of visibility for a niche product like carob; good pre-appointment scheduling is required to get a share of visitor traffic.
Gulfood (Dubai)
Gulfood is the fair held annually in Dubai and is one of the largest food and beverage gatherings in the Gulf region. According to the information on the official page of the fair, the 2026 edition was held for the first time at both Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai, in two venues; More than 8,500 exhibitors from 195 countries took part. Fair; It is divided into sectors such as world foods, grains and pulses, beverages, dairy products. Since the fair calendar can change over the years (such as January or March), the exact date should be checked on the official website every period. It is an organization worth considering for carob suppliers who want to expand into the Middle East, Africa and South Asian markets.
Food Ingredients and Organic Product Fairs
For industrial carob products, food ingredients and organic product fairs stand out more than general food fairs. Because the visitor profile here consists of producers who are directly looking for raw materials.
Fi Europe (Food ingredients Europe)
Fi Europe is an organization organized by Informa Markets that describes itself as the "leading global food ingredients exhibition". It is held every year in November; according to the official page, the 2026 edition is held at Messe Frankfurt in Frankfurt. The exhibition area is divided into sections such as food ingredients, health ingredients, technology and pet food. The expectations announced by the organizer for 2026 are more than 1,650 exhibitors and more than 27,000 visitors. Products such as carob powder, kibble, carob gum and extract; It can meet food manufacturers here who are looking for it as a thickener, natural sweetener, cocoa alternative or fiber source.
Biofach (Nuremberg)
Biofach is the organization organized by NürnbergMesse in Nuremberg, Germany, which defines itself as the world's leading organic product fair. The fair, which has been held since 1990, is held in February and is under the auspices of IFOAM – Organics International, according to its official page. It is one of the fairs with the clearest target audience for organic certified carob products. However, since the first question of visitors here will mostly be certification and traceability, organic documents must be up-to-date and ready.
For Private Label Manufacturers: PLMA World of Private Label
Products sold by retail chains under their own brands (private label) can be an important channel for products such as carob powder or molasses. The most well-known meeting in this field is the "World of Private Label" fair organized by the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) at the RAI Amsterdam fair and congress center in Amsterdam. The fair is usually held in May; PLMA's official page states that the fair is a platform where retailers meet with manufacturers to find new products and suppliers and has been held for nearly 40 years. On the food side, fresh, frozen and chilled products, dry food and beverages are exhibited at the fair.
For companies interested in private label production, this fair requires a different preparation than standard product sales: packaging options, minimum order quantities, label adaptation possibilities and quality certificates must be clarified in advance.
Food Fairs in Turkey: WorldFood Istanbul
International food fairs in Turkey can be considered for companies that want to meet international buyers without going abroad. The most well-known of these is WorldFood Istanbul. The fair is held in September; The 33rd edition in 2025 was held at Tüyap Fair and Congress Center in Istanbul, organized by ICA Events. According to the news in the industry press, it is envisaged that more than 900 buyers from 100 countries will be hosted in this edition.
The advantage of fairs in Turkey is that transportation and stand costs are relatively low, sample and product shipment are easy, and they provide a learning environment for companies that will participate in the fair for the first time. The domestic fair calendar is published by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB); exporters' associations also regularly inform their members about sectoral fairs and procurement committees.
Public Supports for Participation in Fairs
In Turkey, the Ministry of Trade supports participation in international fairs organized abroad and in the country within the framework of certain rules. In the presentations of the Ministry, two main ways are defined: Individual participation in international fairs and national participation: In individual participation, the company participates in a fair included in the Ministry's list of supported fairs; in national participation, Turkish participants take part in a common Turkish area under the coordination of an authorized organizer. The scope of support includes items such as ground rent, stand and transportation (Ministry of Trade, TIM presentation).
Support rates and upper limits are updated from time to time. For example, according to the information in the press, as of 2023, the basic support rate for international fairs is 50%, higher rates are applied in target countries and micro/small enterprises, and the upper limits are updated every year according to inflation indices (Para Dergi, 2023). For current rates and application periods, the support pages of the Ministry of Commerce and the exporters' association should be consulted before planning participation; it should be noted that applications must be made within a certain period of time after the fair.
Preparation to Get Results from the Fair
In line with the findings of Çobanoğlu and Turaeva (2014), fair success should be considered in three stages.
Before the fair
- Determine the target buyer profile: food producer, distributor or supermarket chain?
- Request an appointment in advance by reviewing the exhibitor and visitor lists.
- Prepare technical data sheets (specifications), analysis samples, and certificates on a product basis.
- Prepare sample sets and multilingual promotional material in different packaging.
During the fair
- Display products touchingly on the stand: when fruit, broken, powder, and kernel are next to each other, the buyer quickly grasps the assortment.
- Record each conversation with short notes: which product, what quantity, what packaging, what delivery method.
- Instead of rushing the price, clarify the need and promise a written offer.
After the fair
- Send a personalized follow-up email to all conversations within the first week.
- Forward the promised samples and technical documents without delay.
- Measure the real return of the fair by recording which meeting turns into an offer and which turns into an order.
Virtual Fairs and Digital Meetings
Virtual fairs and online buyer delegations, which became widespread during the pandemic period, have played a complementary role, although they do not replace physical fairs. The Ministry of Commerce has also included virtual fair participation and virtual trade delegations in the scope of support with the Decision on Supporting Digital Activities in Market Entry, which came into force in 2020 (PwC Turkey, 2020). Continuing subsequent meetings with the buyer met at a fair online saves time and cost, especially in distant markets. We discuss how to use digital channels with the fair in a separate article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a special fair for carob? Known on an international scale, a regular carob trade fair is not common. Carob products are mostly present at general food, food ingredients and organic product fairs.
Which fair is more suitable for selling industrial carob powder? To reach food manufacturers looking for raw materials, food ingredients fairs such as Fi Europe are a more targeted option. For consumer packaged goods, general food fairs such as Anuga, SIAL Paris or Gulfood can be considered.
Where to confirm fair dates? Always from the organizer's official website. Second-hand lists should not be trusted, as fairs held every two years can be confused with fairs with changing calendars.
Can government support be obtained to participate in the fair? The Ministry of Commerce supports domestic and international fair participation under certain conditions. For current scope and rates, the Ministry and exporters' associations should be consulted.
Carob Türkiye at Fairs and After
Fairs are an effective way to bring carob products to the right buyer; however, the real cooperation is established after the fair, with samples, technical documents and regular supply. As Carob Türkiye Carob fruit, Kibble (granule), flour/powder, Core and Extract We supply. To get to know the products themselves better What is Carob? You can take a look at our article, for your wholesale and export requests Contact Now You can contact us on our page.
Domestic resources
Çobanoğlu, E., Turaeva, V., "Effects of the pre-show, at-show and post-show firm activities on trade show performance measurement", Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 150, 762–771, 2014 (10th International Strategic Management Conference). doi.
org/ 10. 1016/ j. SBSPRO. 2014. 09. 052 Republic of Turkey Ministry of Trade, General Directorate of Exports, "Government Supports for Exports – Supporting Fair Participations Abroad" (presentation), Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM). tim.
org. en/ download/ 061e4a92232b464a82ecc373f4624c00/ 4. 1. … Sertkaya, H. G., "Details on the Ministry of Trade's 2024 fair supports", Para Dergi, 06.11.2023. paradergi.
com. en/ Sectors/ 2023/ 11/ 06/ Trade- Ministry... PwC Turkey, "Decision on Supporting Digital Activities in Market Entry" (Official Gazette, 27.05.2020, issue 31137), Investment Incentive Bulletin, 2020. Pwc.
com. en/ en/ Our Services/ tax/ indirect- tax/ Bulletins... Dairy News Today, "33. Intense Interest from the Food Industry in WorldFood Istanbul", 2025. dairynews.
today/ en/ news/ strong- interest- from- the- food- select... Foreign sources
Gerschewski, S., Evers, N., Nguyen, A. T., Froese, F. J. et al., "Trade Shows and SME Internationalisation: Networking for Performance", Management International Review, 60(4), 573–595, 2020. doi.
org/ 10. 1007/ S11575- 020- 00421- y NürnbergMesse, "BIOFACH – The world's leading trade fair for organic food" (official page). biofach.
de/ en Gulfood (KAOUN International / DWTC), "Dubai Makes History as Gulfood Takes Over Two Mega Venues and Unveils the Expanded Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City", 19.01.2026. Gulfood.
com/ insights/ dubai- makes- history- gulfood- takes- Ov... Informa Markets, "Fi Europe – The leading global food ingredients exhibition" (official page). figlobal.
com/ fieurope/ PLMA International, "World of Private Label International Trade Show" (official page). PLMAINTERNATIONAL.
com/ events/ world- private- label- internat... Promosalons, "SIAL Paris – The world's largest food innovation exhibition". promosalons.
com/ ?p=2640 Wikipedia, "Anuga Food Fair". en.
wikipedia. org/ wiki/ Anuga_Food_Fair PotatoPro, "Anuga 2027" (event info: Koelnmesse GmbH, biennial). potatopro.
Scientific Resourcescom/ nl/ potato- Conferences- tradeshows/ Anuga- 2027
