CFIA Expo 2027 – Rennes, France

What to expect in 2027

CFIA Expo 2027 will bring together the suppliers, manufacturers, technology companies, ingredient specialists, packaging experts, food-safety professionals and service providers that support the European food-processing industry. The exhibition is designed as a business-focused meeting place where food manufacturers can compare technologies, discover new products, discuss production challenges and identify solutions for improving efficiency, quality, safety and sustainability. The organiser describes CFIA Rennes as a major meeting point for the agri-food industry, with the exhibition built around four complementary areas covering ingredients and processed food ingredients, equipment and processes, packaging and packaging machinery, and food safety.

The 2027 edition will also mark an important anniversary for the exhibition, continuing a history that began with its first Rennes edition in 1997. The show has expanded considerably from its original equipment-and-process focus and now provides a much broader overview of the technologies and services used throughout the food-production value chain. The organiser is already presenting a large exhibitor programme, while the 2027 website includes dedicated areas for exhibitors, innovation, artificial intelligence, the future food factory, packaging, food safety and professional development.

Visitors can expect a combination of traditional exhibition stands, technical demonstrations, innovation showcases, expert presentations and guided discovery formats. Rather than focusing only on finished food products, CFIA is centred on the industrial infrastructure behind food production. This makes the event particularly relevant to professionals involved in production, engineering, maintenance, research and development, purchasing, quality, hygiene, packaging, logistics, automation and management.

The exhibition is also expected to maintain its strong business orientation. The latest published figures show 23,600 visitors and around 2,000 exhibitors, demonstrating the scale of the professional community attracted to the event. The organiser also highlights the growth of visitor attendance and the importance of the exhibition for connecting suppliers with food manufacturers.

Event dates

CFIA Expo 2027 will take place from 9–11 March 2027 at Rennes Parc Expo in Bruz, near Rennes, France. The official CFIA Rennes website confirms the three-day exhibition schedule, while the Rennes Convention Bureau lists professional opening hours beginning at 8:30 a.m. and continuing through the afternoon on the final day.

Opening schedule: Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., according to the published event information. Visitors should check the official programme and practical-information pages before travelling because session times, entrances and transport arrangements can be updated.

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Venue & exhibition site

CFIA Expo takes place at Rennes Parc Expo, a large exhibition complex located at 2 La Haie Gautrais, 35172 Bruz Cedex, France. The venue is positioned close to Rennes Airport and is connected to the Rennes metropolitan transport network, making it practical for both domestic and international trade visitors.

The exhibition site provides the scale required for a major industrial food-processing show, with multiple halls accommodating machinery, ingredients, packaging solutions, food-safety technologies, digital systems and specialist suppliers. The exhibition is organised so visitors can move between technology-focused areas while also accessing dedicated innovation and professional-development spaces.

The site environment is particularly suited to machinery demonstrations because food-processing equipment often requires more space than conventional display products. Visitors can therefore encounter production systems, conveying solutions, packaging equipment, automation components and other industrial technologies in a trade-show environment designed around professional interaction.

Full industry programme

The CFIA programme combines technical information with practical business-oriented activities. The official event platform currently highlights several major programme formats, including the Trends and Innovation Corner, food-safety content, Innovation Tours, Innovation Awards, the Agri-Food Factory of the Future, the AI Village, a packaging innovation showcase, Food Talent, career workshops and professional talks.

Industry conferences: Talks and presentations provide opportunities to examine technological, regulatory, environmental and market developments affecting food manufacturers. Topics can cover automation, sustainability, production efficiency, food safety, packaging, ingredients and changing consumer expectations.

Innovation programme: The Innovation Awards provide a platform for companies to present new products, processes and technologies. Previous competition activity has attracted more than one hundred applications, showing the importance of innovation to the exhibition.

Innovation Tours: Guided tours help visitors identify selected technologies and suppliers without having to navigate the entire exhibition independently. These tours are particularly useful for professionals who have limited time and want to focus on specific subjects such as ingredients, nutrition, processing or industrial solutions.

Food Talent: A dedicated professional-development programme focuses on careers, recruitment, education and training within the agri-food sector. It connects companies with students, candidates and people interested in discovering the variety of technical and professional roles available within food manufacturing.

Featured companies & exhibitors

The exhibitor community covers a broad range of suppliers rather than a single type of food-industry business. The official exhibitor database already includes companies working in ingredients, processing, automation, industrial computing, packaging, conveying, weighing, machinery, hygiene and food-safety technologies.

Examples of companies appearing within the exhibition ecosystem include CLEXTRAL, RESCASET, Schmersal France, Hydroprocess, IPO Technologie, LM Systèmes, ACTEMIUM, Kerry, Azelis, Beneo, Kerry, Symrise, Lallemand, Solina France and many other specialist suppliers. Exhibitor participation and stand locations can change, so visitors should consult the official exhibitor directory when planning meetings.

Equipment suppliers: Machinery and industrial technology companies provide solutions for production lines, conveying, automation, processing, weighing, dosing and material handling.

Ingredient specialists: Ingredient suppliers cover areas such as proteins, flavours, sweeteners, cereals, plant-based ingredients, nutritional solutions, functional ingredients and formulation technologies.

Packaging companies: Packaging manufacturers and machinery suppliers address sealing, tray forming, labelling, printing, coding, wrapping, reusable packaging and new material solutions.

Technology providers: Digitalisation, industrial IT, sensors, automation, AI, data systems and connected-factory technologies form another important part of the exhibitor landscape.

Industry sectors & technologies

CFIA Rennes is structured around four major industry sectors that collectively represent the principal supplier categories serving food manufacturers.

Ingredients & PAI: This area focuses on ingredients and processed food ingredients used in formulation and product development. Professionals can investigate flavour systems, proteins, plant-based alternatives, cereals, sweeteners, functional ingredients, nutritional solutions and other formulation components.

Equipment & Processes: This sector covers the industrial machinery and technologies required to manufacture, process, transfer, dose, weigh, sort and handle food products. Automation and digital manufacturing are increasingly important parts of this area.

Packaging & Packaging Machinery: Packaging solutions range from primary and secondary packaging materials to automated machinery, sealing, labelling, printing, coding and complete packaging lines. Sustainability, recyclability and reuse are important themes within this sector.

Food Safety: The food-safety area addresses hygiene, quality control, traceability, analysis, contamination prevention and technologies that help manufacturers maintain reliable production standards.

Products, machinery & innovations

One of the principal attractions of CFIA Expo is the opportunity to see industrial products and technologies in a professional environment. The exhibition product directory includes machinery, processing systems, industrial components, packaging equipment, ingredients and specialist services.

Machinery can include conveying systems, dosing equipment, packaging machines, processing units, industrial weighing systems and automated production technologies. Visitors can compare different approaches to improving production capacity, flexibility, hygiene and operational efficiency.

Packaging innovation is another significant theme. Solutions include tray sealing, vacuum packaging, modified-atmosphere packaging, skin packaging, labelling, printing and coding. Companies are also presenting alternatives involving mono-materials, recycled materials, cardboard, moulded fibre and reusable packaging concepts.

Digital technology is increasingly integrated into the exhibition. Artificial intelligence, industrial data, connected machinery and automation are presented as practical tools for improving production performance, traceability, maintenance and decision-making. The dedicated AI Village is specifically designed to help food-industry professionals identify practical applications of artificial intelligence within factories.

Demonstrations & technical presentations

Technical demonstrations allow visitors to move beyond static product displays and see how machinery and technology can function within real production scenarios. This is particularly useful when evaluating equipment that involves automation, material movement, packaging, processing or industrial control.

AI demonstrations: The AI Village provides a dedicated environment for discussing practical applications of artificial intelligence in food manufacturing. Its focus includes identifying relevant use cases and understanding how AI can support factory operations.

Innovation Tours: Guided tours provide a structured way to visit selected suppliers and technologies. Previous tour themes have included ingredients, nutrition, clean-label solutions and alternatives, with specialist guidance helping visitors understand the relevance of individual innovations.

Technical workshops: Professional workshops and presentations can provide practical insight into manufacturing processes, quality management, packaging development, automation and other operational challenges.

Food Talent demonstrations: The career programme also uses practical demonstrations and immersive activities to help visitors understand how food manufacturing works and what different technical careers involve.

Ticket types & registration

CFIA Rennes is a professional trade exhibition, and visitors should register through the official CFIA website before travelling. The organiser promotes an online badge system that allows professional visitors to prepare their access in advance.

Professional visitor badge: The standard professional badge is the principal access method for trade visitors. Previous-edition visitor communications promoted the badge as free, so the most recent available reference is $0. This should be treated as previous-edition reference pricing until the organiser confirms the final 2027 conditions.

Registration process: Visitors should complete the online registration form and provide the professional information requested by the organiser.

Badge preparation: Registering before arrival can make entry more efficient and allows visitors to plan their exhibition itinerary in advance.

Programme planning: Once registered, visitors should consult the exhibitor directory, agenda and exhibition map to identify suppliers and sessions relevant to their business requirements.

Trade visitor & professional access

CFIA Expo is designed primarily for professionals working within or supplying the food-processing industry. Its visitor audience includes production managers, engineers, purchasing teams, research and development professionals, quality specialists, maintenance teams, packaging professionals, food-safety managers, company executives and technology specialists.

The professional nature of the event makes it especially useful for decision-makers comparing equipment and suppliers. Instead of simply viewing products, visitors can discuss technical requirements, production volumes, installation considerations, integration needs and potential future projects directly with suppliers.

Production professionals: Opportunities include machinery comparisons, process optimisation and discussions about factory efficiency.

Purchasing teams: Buyers can identify suppliers, compare solutions and establish direct business contacts.

R&D professionals: Ingredient, formulation and product-development technologies provide opportunities for discovering new approaches to food development.

Quality and food-safety teams: Dedicated food-safety content supports discussions about hygiene, traceability, analysis and compliance.

Students and future professionals: Food Talent provides a separate environment focused on careers, recruitment, education and training within the sector.

Exhibition halls & floor plan

The exhibition uses the large Rennes Parc Expo complex and is organised into multiple halls and dedicated areas. The exact 2027 configuration should be checked against the official visitor map because the venue configuration can evolve between editions.

The exhibition’s four principal sectors provide the basic framework for navigating the show: Ingredients & PAI, Equipment & Processes, Packaging & Packaging Machinery, and Food Safety.

Dedicated spaces such as the AI Village, innovation areas, the Agri-Food Factory of the Future and Food Talent provide additional destinations within the overall visitor route. The organiser’s online platform includes a dedicated show-map section to help visitors plan their route.

Visitors attending for a specific business purpose should identify the relevant halls and exhibitors before arrival. This is particularly important for machinery buyers because equipment suppliers can be spread across several sections of the exhibition.

Business meetings & networking

Business networking is central to the CFIA concept. The exhibition brings suppliers and food manufacturers together in a setting designed for direct discussions, product presentations and commercial meetings. The organiser describes the show as an environment focused on exchanges, business and visibility for companies in the agri-food industry.

Visitors can use exhibitor profiles to identify relevant suppliers before arriving and then arrange conversations around machinery, ingredients, packaging, automation, quality systems or other technical requirements.

Supplier meetings: Direct conversations can help businesses evaluate products and services against their own production requirements.

Innovation networking: Innovation tours and dedicated showcases make it easier to identify emerging solutions and companies.

Career networking: Food Talent provides contacts between recruiters, educational organisations, students and candidates.

Professional exchanges: Conferences and presentations create additional opportunities to discuss industry trends with specialists and other professionals.

Event rules & visitor information

Visitors should follow the access requirements displayed by the organiser and venue, including registration and badge requirements. As a professional exhibition, visitors should bring appropriate identification and professional information where requested.

The organiser recommends checking practical information before travelling because entrances, hall assignments, transport arrangements and programme details can be updated.

Professional access: CFIA is primarily intended for industry professionals.

Badge requirement: Visitors should complete the registration process and follow the instructions provided with their badge.

Exhibition conduct: Visitors should follow venue safety requirements, respect restricted areas and comply with exhibitor instructions around operating machinery.

Photography: Visitors should respect individual exhibitor policies concerning photography, filming and commercially sensitive demonstrations.

Programme changes: Conference and demonstration schedules may be adjusted, so the official agenda should be checked before attending specific sessions.

How to get there

Rennes Parc Expo is located in Bruz, southwest of central Rennes and close to Rennes Airport. By road, the venue can be reached from the Rennes ring road using Exit 8, Porte de Saint-Nazaire, Parc des Expositions.

For visitors arriving from outside Brittany, Rennes provides a useful rail and air gateway. Rennes railway station connects the city with major French destinations, while Rennes Airport is located close to the exhibition site.

The official CFIA travel information also provides transport connections from the railway station and airport, including dedicated free shuttle services during the exhibition.

Public transport & parking

Public transport provides several options for reaching Rennes Parc Expo. Bus Line 13 serves the Parc Expo and connects with the wider Rennes network. Visitors travelling from Rennes railway station can use Metro Line B toward Saint-Jacques-Gaîté and connect with Bus Line 13 toward Bruz.

Free exhibition shuttles: CFIA provides dedicated shuttle services connecting Rennes railway station, Rennes Airport and the exhibition site. The organiser’s practical information states that the railway-station journey takes around 30 minutes, while the airport journey takes around 10 minutes.

By car: Rennes Parc Expo is accessible from the Rennes ring road via Exit 8. The venue provides free visitor parking, making driving a practical option for visitors carrying luggage or travelling in groups.

Accommodation areas

Visitors can stay either near Rennes Parc Expo and Rennes Airport or in central Rennes. Staying close to the exhibition site can reduce daily travel time, particularly for visitors attending early professional sessions or multiple days.

The Rennes Airport area has several accommodation options, including Brit Hotel Ker Lann Aéroport – Parc Expo, Best Western Plus Hôtel Isidore, Hôtel Domaine de Cicé-Blossac, Campanile, Hôtel L’Ortega and B&B Hotel.

Central Rennes provides a broader selection of hotels, restaurants and evening activities and can be preferable for visitors who want to combine the exhibition with sightseeing or business meetings in the city.

The airport-area hotels are particularly convenient for international visitors because they provide easy access to both the exhibition site and the airport. The Brit Hotel Ker Lann, for example, is located close to Rennes Airport and the Parc Expo area.

Accessibility

Rennes Parc Expo is served by public transport and provides access routes designed for visitors with mobility requirements. The wider venue infrastructure includes accessible transport connections and parking arrangements.

Visitors requiring specific assistance should check with the venue or organiser before travelling so that appropriate arrangements can be confirmed. Accessible transport information can be planned through the Rennes STAR network, while the venue’s transport information identifies the Parc Expo stop and connections from the metro network.

The exhibition environment is spread across several halls, so visitors with reduced mobility may benefit from reviewing the venue map in advance and identifying the most convenient entrance. Assistance arrangements can also be discussed directly with the event team.

Previous year’s highlights

The previous edition attracted 23,959 visitors, representing a 2% increase compared with the preceding edition, according to the official event results. The organiser also reported 1,800 young people participating through Food Talent and 124 applications for the Innovation Awards.

The exhibition continued to strengthen its technology and innovation focus through dedicated spaces covering artificial intelligence, food safety, packaging, reuse, future-factory technologies and innovation. The AI Village helped visitors examine practical applications of artificial intelligence in factory environments, while the Village Réemploi focused on reusable packaging and the transition toward new packaging models.

The previous edition also featured innovation tours designed to help visitors identify relevant technologies more efficiently. The programme demonstrated the exhibition’s emphasis on practical solutions rather than purely theoretical presentations.

Another major element was Food Talent, which connects the agri-food industry with students, candidates and training organisations. The programme includes career workshops, recruitment activities, immersive demonstrations and opportunities to discover different roles across food manufacturing.

The exhibition’s scale remains one of its defining characteristics. The organiser reports approximately 2,000 exhibitors, while the four-sector structure provides a broad overview of the technologies, products and services supporting the food-processing industry.

Official tickets & registration

Professional visitors should use the official CFIA Rennes website to register and obtain their visitor badge. The organiser’s current platform provides direct access to the exhibitor directory, exhibition map, programme, animations and badge-registration system.

The official website is also the best place to verify the latest programme, exhibitor information, visitor instructions, hall configuration and transport arrangements before travelling. Because the 2027 exhibitor and programme information continues to be developed, visitors should check the official pages before making detailed meeting schedules.

Official CFIA Rennes website (https://www.rennes.cfiaexpo.com/fr)