foodpro, the largest food manufacturing industry event in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere, will return to Melbourne this month after a six years, with the Victorian Government signing on as principal partner for the first time.

The event will run from July 23-26 at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) and will feature more than 380 exhibitors, with the exhibitor floor now sold out.

foodpro was held on the Gold Cost in 2022 and in Sydney in 2021. However, food and beverage manufacturing is critical to Victoria’s economy, with the sector generating sales of more than $40 billion each year and employing more than 76,000 people.

In addition to the floor exhibition, foodpro will host the Australian Institute of Food Science & Technology’s annual convention, with the theme of “The Science Of Food – Security And Sustainability”. The convention will feature more than 50 speakers covering everything from food safety, to advances in health and nutrition, food security, resilience, sustainability and packaging.

The four-day event will also include a mix of free and paid-for sessions and events, alongside plenty of networking opportunities, breakout rooms, and a sensory experience to celebrate the finest innovations in food manufacturing.