dmg events and Koelnmesse, the organizer behind Anuga in Cologne, Germany, are bringing Anuga Select to South Africa, a new trade platform for Africa’s food and beverage industry. Evolving from the established Africa Food Show, formerly Africa’s Big 7, the event brings the international network and brand strength of Anuga to one of Africa’s key food and beverage trade hubs. Anuga Select South Africa will take place from 22 to 24 June 2027 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in Cape Town.
The launch follows the record-breaking success of this year’s Africa Food Show, which saw visitor registration double and welcomed participants from more than 36 countries, including China, India, Germany, Brazil, Poland and Pakistan. The event’s continued growth and increasing international participation highlighted the demand for a larger platform capable of connecting global suppliers with Africa’s rapidly expanding food and beverage market.
Bringing one of the world’s most renowned food and beverage trade fair brands to South Africa for the first time, the event combines the strength of an established African food trade exhibition with the international reach, reputation and expertise of Anuga. Organized by dmg events and Koelnmesse, the organizer behind Anuga in Cologne, Germany, the event will take place from 22 – 24 June 2027 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town, South Africa.
Positioned as a leading B2B platform for the food and beverage industry, Anuga Select South Africa will connect international suppliers, regional manufacturers, distributors, retailers and hospitality buyers through three days of sourcing, networking and business development opportunities. The event will showcase products, innovations and solutions across the full food and beverage value chain while supporting cross-border trade and strategic partnerships across Africa.
As Africa’s food and agribusiness market continues its rapid expansion, Anuga Select South Africa launches at a time of significant opportunity for international and regional businesses looking to establish and grow their presence across the continent. Africa’s food and agribusiness market is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030, driven by population growth, urbanization and rising consumer demand (source).
South Africa remains one of Africa’s leading food and beverage trade hubs, offering established retail networks, advanced infrastructure and direct access to fast-growing consumer markets across the continent. With Cape Town recognized as a key center for food innovation, hospitality and international business, the event creates a strategic gateway for companies looking to connect with buyers actively sourcing products, technologies and solutions for Africa’s evolving food and beverage industry.
The event will attract senior decision-makers and buyers from supermarkets, distributors, wholesalers, food service companies, hotels, restaurants, importers, exporters, e-commerce grocery platforms and hospitality procurement teams across the African market. Exhibitors will have the opportunity to showcase products across a broad range of sectors including fine food, dairy, meat and poultry, frozen food, fresh produce, bakery, beverages, organic and health food, ingredients, food technology, packaging and hospitality solutions.
Designed to support business growth and market expansion, Anuga Select South Africa will offer exhibitors direct access to buyers actively seeking new supplier partnerships, product innovations and sourcing opportunities. Alongside the exhibition, the event will also deliver industry insight, networking opportunities and discussions focused on the future of food trade, consumer trends and supply chain development across the African market.
For more information about Anuga Select South Africa, visit www.anuga-southafrica.com
Statements regarding the partnership
Matt Denton, President of dmg events
“Anuga Select South Africa represents an exciting new chapter for the African food and beverage industry. By transforming the established market presence of Africa Food Show into the global recognition and expertise of the Anuga brand, we are creating a powerful platform that supports international trade, regional partnerships and long-term industry growth across Africa. The event is designed to deliver real business outcomes for exhibitors and visitors alike while supporting the continued evolution of Africa’s food economy.”
Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse GmbH:
“Anyone looking at Africa’s food industry today sees far more than growing consumer markets. Across many countries, strong businesses, innovative brands and new trading networks are emerging. International trade fair platforms create visibility and open doors to a global range of customers and partners, particularly for SMEs. With Anuga Select South Africa, we are bringing one of our most trusted brands into this dynamic environment and, together with dmg events, creating a platform that connects African and international market players.”
About dmg events
dmg events is a leading organizer of face-to-face events and publisher of information services. Our aim is to create dynamic marketplaces to connect businesses with the right communities to accelerate their growth in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. With a presence in over 30 countries and organizing more than 115 events each year, dmg events is a global leader in the industry. Attracting over 650,000 attendees and delegates annually, we organize events in the construction, hospitality, interiors & design, energy, coatings, entertainment, food & beverage and transportation sectors. To better serve our customers, dmg events has offices in 10 countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, South Africa, the UK, Canada, Singapore and India. By being on the ground, we can better understand market needs and nurture relationships to create unforgettable experiences for our attendees. Our flagship events, including Big 5 Global, ADIPEC, Gastech, EGYPES, The Hotel Show, INDEX and The Saudi Food Show. For more information visit www.dmgevents.com. Founded in 1989, dmg events is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT, www.dmgt.co.uk).
Koelnmesse – worldwide trade fairs for the food industry and food production:
Koelnmesse is an international leader in organizing global trade fairs for the food and beverage industry as well as for food production. With events such as Anuga, Anuga FoodTec, ISM, and ProSweets Cologne, Koelnmesse covers a wide spectrum – from ingredients to production, packaging, finished products, and the latest technologies and innovations. These globally renowned trade fairs, held in Cologne, Germany, set benchmarks in their respective sectors. In addition, Koelnmesse organizes numerous industry-specific trade fairs in key markets worldwide, including Brazil, China, India, Italy, Japan, Colombia, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. Through these global activities, Koelnmesse offers its clients tailored events and leading regional trade fairs across various markets, providing a foundation for sustainable international business. Koelnmesse is thus ideally positioned to drive innovation and development in both the food industry and food production.
