FOODEX JAPAN 2025 Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Historic Expansion and Global Wine & Sake Renaissance
- Staff Editor
- Mar 14
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 17
Celebrating its golden jubilee, FOODEX JAPAN 2025 marked a historic milestone at Tokyo Big Sight (March 11–14). With a record-breaking 85,000 sqm of exhibition space (a 124% increase from 2024), 2,930 exhibitors (including 1,981 international participants), and over 72,151 trade visitors from 90 countries, this landmark event solidified Japan’s position as the epicenter of Asia's food and beverage (F&B) innovation.
The Rise of FOODEX WINE: A New Era for Global Vintners
In response to evolving consumer trends, FOODEX unveiled its first standalone WINE Pavilion—Japan’s largest wine exhibition to date. Located in Halls 3–4 of the South Exhibition Hall, the pavilion featured 842 alcohol exhibits, including over 450 wines, ranging from non-alcoholic rosés to biodynamic Burgundies, representing 74 countries.
While domestic sake consumption continues to decline (-7% YoY), sake exports surged by 22% in 2024, a trend highlighted at FOODEX’s SAKE JAPAN Pavilion (Halls 1–2). This unique space embraced the duality of tradition and innovation, showcasing:
UNESCO-Listed Craftsmanship: Breweries like the 300-year-old Masuizumi demonstrated kimoto yeast cultivation, a traditional brewing method recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
AI Sommelier Platform: A platform pairing Japanese sake with traditional dishes from around the world fascinated attendees with its precision and creativity.
Export-Driven Formats: Innovations such as single-serve canned daiginjo sake and sake-based skincare products targeted new international markets.
Frozen Food: Adding Value Beyond Convenience
Frozen food is no longer just about convenience—it has become a critical player in addressing social challenges like reducing food waste while meeting diverse consumer needs. The frozen food category at FOODEX JAPAN 2025 showcased an incredible range of options, from everyday meals to health-conscious selections, alongside cutting-edge freezing technologies.
Attendees marveled at quick-freezers that demonstrated remarkable advances in preserving flavor and texture, redefining the value of frozen food. The "Frozen of Future" award ceremony also crowned its Grand Prix winner, recognizing frozen food products celebrated for their innovative appeal and added value. The winners were selected by an esteemed panel of approximately 100 industry buyers and general judges.
Event Details for FOODEX 2026
Dates: March 10–13, 2026
Venue: Tokyo Big Sight
Organizers: Japan Management Association, Japan Hotel Association, Japan Ryokan Association, International Tourism and Japanese Restaurant Association, International Tourism Facilities Association
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