✓ Trade show: SIAL Paris 2026, the world’s largest food trade show
✓ Dates: from Saturday 17 to Wednesday 21 October 2026
✓ Venue: Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre (93420)
✓ Edition: 31st edition (SIAL has existed since 1964)
✓ Surface area: 280,000 sqm of exhibition space
✓ Exhibitors: 8,000 exhibitors expected from over 200 countries
✓ Visitors: 295,000 professionals expected
✓ Frequency: every 2 years (even-numbered years)
✓ Recommended stand builder: TheStandExperts for a turnkey custom exhibition stand
SIAL Paris, the world’s largest food trade show 🌍
SIAL Paris is quite simply the unmissable event of the global food industry. Created in 1964, this biennial trade show has established itself as the absolute benchmark of the sector, ahead of all its international competitors. Every two years, it brings together the entire global food ecosystem for five days at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre.
The 2024 edition confirmed this supremacy with staggering figures: 285,000 visitors from 200 countries, 7,500 exhibitors representing 127 nations and more than 400,000 products on display. For its 2026 edition, SIAL is aiming even higher with 8,000 exhibitors across 280,000 sqm and an estimated attendance of 295,000 professionals. A calendar to coordinate with the ProWein trade show in Düsseldorf for wine and spirits exhibitors.
A few key figures that sum up the power of SIAL Paris:
- €10 billion in contracts generated at each edition
- 83% of buyers close deals on site
- 85% of the 2026 floor space is already booked a year before opening
- 50 ambassadors, 17 ministers and 110 official delegations attended in 2024
- +8% attendance growth between 2022 and 2024
SIAL Paris is part of the SIAL Network, the world’s largest network of food trade shows, which includes 12 events such as SIAL China, SIAL Canada and SIAL Shanghai. This international dimension makes it a unique playing field for reaching buyers from all over the world in a single venue and a single week. Packaging manufacturers often combine it with All4Pack Paris, the packaging trade show held at the same venue.
Past editions of SIAL Paris in figures:
When and where SIAL Paris 2026 takes place 📅
SIAL Paris 2026 will take place from Saturday 17 October to Wednesday 21 October 2026 at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre. The trade show opens on Saturday to ease transport congestion and improve the experience for exhibitors and visitors, a much-appreciated change introduced at the previous edition. Also make sure to choose your stand location carefully: across 280,000 sqm, location makes all the difference.
SIAL Paris 2026 opening hours:
Exact address: Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center, ZAC Paris Nord 2, 93420 Villepinte. Relying on an exhibition stand builder in Paris who knows the Villepinte venue makes assembly and deliveries much easier.
How to get to SIAL Paris 2026 🚇
The Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre is strategically located between central Paris and Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport, making it a highly accessible venue.
By public transport: take the RER B towards Mitry-Claye or Aéroport CDG, and get off at the “Parc des Expositions” station. Allow 30 minutes from Châtelet and 8 minutes from Roissy.
By free shuttle: SIAL shuttles leave every 10 minutes from Paris, with on-board Wi-Fi so you can network during the journey.
By car: take the A1 motorway (exit no. 2 Parc des Expositions) or the A104 Francilienne. Parking available on site.
By plane: Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle is only 6 km away, less than 10 minutes by taxi or on the RER B.
By train: from Gare du Nord, allow 35 minutes via the RER B (direct connection).
The major exhibitors at SIAL Paris 🏢
SIAL Paris attracts the biggest names in the global food industry. On the French side, you will traditionally find the national giants such as Lactalis (the world’s leading dairy group with its brands Président, Lactel, Bridel, La Laitière), Danone, Bonduelle, Bel (La Vache qui rit, Kiri, Babybel), Fleury Michon, Andros, Bjorg and Saint Hubert.
Internationally, the trade show brings together the major food multinationals:
- Nestlé
- Mondelez (Milka, Lu, Oreo, Philadelphia)
- Mars
- Unilever
- Ferrero
- Barilla
- Coca-Cola
- PepsiCo
- Heineken
The organisation by activity sector introduced in 2024 makes it easy to find exhibitors by product universe. Fresh fruit and vegetable producers will recognise a logic close to that of Fruit Attraction in Madrid.
The main sectors at SIAL Paris 2026:
Why exhibit at SIAL Paris in 2026 💡
Exhibiting at SIAL Paris is a strong strategic choice for your brand. 83% of buyers close deals directly on site. In five days, you condense a volume of B2B meetings that would take you months to generate through traditional prospecting. The out-of-home catering buyers you meet at SIAL are, incidentally, the same ones you find at EquipHotel Paris.
The concrete benefits of a presence at SIAL:
- International visibility among 295,000 decision-makers
- Qualified B2B lead generation in massive volumes
- Product launches in an ultra-favourable media context
- Competitive intelligence across 400,000 products on display
- Matchmaking via the AI-powered Business Meetings platform
- Press coverage from specialist food industry media
- Networking with buyers, distributors and out-of-home catering professionals
In an environment where 8,000 exhibitors compete for visitors’ attention, your stand must not only catch the eye but also tell your brand story and facilitate business conversations. This is precisely where TheStandExperts comes in.
With €10 billion in contracts per edition and 83% of buyers closing deals on site, every square metre of your stand must convert: a visible tasting area, strong brand storytelling and quiet meeting spaces are your three levers.
Entrust your SIAL Paris 2026 stand to TheStandExperts
Designing a stand for SIAL Paris means taking on a triple challenge: standing out visually, creating a space that converts and orchestrating complex logistics. Our team masters each of these aspects and supports you from the first sketch to the final pack-down. Discover our approach to the custom exhibition stand, designed with food brands in mind.
Estimate your stand with TheStandExperts
Answer 8 quick questions to get a personalised estimate
See our past projects right here
Our turnkey support:
We design stands that are not just beautiful, but built to generate business:
- Optimised reception and tasting areas
- Confidential meeting spaces for your strategic appointments
- Product staging that showcases your innovations
- Signage readable from a distance to attract visitors
Whether you are exhibiting at SIAL for the first time or are a regular at the event, we tailor our proposal to your budget, your booked surface area and your brand positioning. Our guide to fitting out a stand at a trade show will help you prioritise your choices.
Lock in your floor space at the early bird rate, then launch the design of your stand 6 to 9 months before the trade show. You secure the best assembly slots, the food-specific technical services and a controlled budget. Our team designs, builds and installs your turnkey stand at Villepinte.
Request a free quoteFAQ · SIAL Paris 2026 ❓
When does SIAL Paris 2026 take place?
SIAL Paris 2026 runs from Saturday 17 to Wednesday 21 October 2026 at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre.
Where is SIAL Paris 2026 held?
At the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre, located in 93420 Villepinte, between Paris and Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport.
How many exhibitors at SIAL Paris 2026?
8,000 exhibitors are expected, from more than 127 countries, across 280,000 sqm of exhibition space.
How many visitors at SIAL Paris?
SIAL Paris 2026 expects 295,000 international professionals, of whom 83% are decision-making buyers.
How often does SIAL Paris take place?
SIAL Paris takes place every two years, in October of even-numbered years, ever since its creation in 1964.
How do I get to SIAL Paris?
The easiest way is the RER B, “Parc des Expositions” station. Free shuttles from Paris leave every 10 minutes during the trade show.
Who can visit SIAL Paris?
SIAL is reserved for professionals from the food industry: buyers, distributors, manufacturers, restaurant owners, importers and specialist journalists.
How much does a stand at SIAL Paris 2026 cost?
The early bird rate is €346 per sqm (until 28 February 2026), then €376 per sqm at the late bird rate. On top of that come the stand design and production costs, which TheStandExperts helps you manage. For a complete view of the budget, see our guide on the price of a stand at a trade show.
Why use an exhibition stand builder for SIAL?
A specialist exhibition stand builder saves you time, secures the trade show’s complex logistics and designs a stand that converts your visitors into customers, where an in-house build risks going unnoticed among 8,000 exhibitors.
Who are the major exhibitors at SIAL Paris?
You will find Lactalis, Danone, Bonduelle, Bel, Nestlé, Mondelez, Mars, Unilever, Ferrero, Barilla, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and thousands of other international brands.
