COLOGNE, GERMANY — What is coming, what is staying, and what is new? These questions will be answered at Anuga 2019, the world’s largest food fair that takes place biennially in Cologne. This year’s event, scheduled for Oct. 5-9, marks the 100th anniversary of Anuga and will include commemorative exhibits displaying how so much has changed, as well as stayed the same, since the first exposition was held in 1919 in Stuttgart, Germany.

Around 7,400 exhibitors from 100 countries will be involved in one of the world’s most important meetings for the food and beverage industries. They will present their latest innovations that speak to today’s trends and prepare consumers for the future. Whether vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian or carnivore, there is something new for all dietary lifestyles.

Anuga is best described as 10 tradeshows under one roof, as the exposition is a well-arranged layout divided up into themed areas. The halls are: 1) Bread & Bakery, 2) Chilled & Fresh Food, 3) Culinary Concepts, 4) Dairy, 5) Drinks, 6) Fine Food, 7) Frozen Food, 8) Meat, 9) Hot Beverages and 10) Organic. For the first time Anuga is offering participation opportunities for start-up companies in special pavilions located in each of the show halls.

The following trends will be prominent at Anuga 2019.

Free-from products. Free-from claims continue to be popular across all food segments. In 2018, 23% of all new foods carried a free-from claim, according to Innova Market Insights. Gluten-free products stand out within this group, with more than half (58%) of all free-from products being gluten-free products. Vegan claims, which are basically animal-free foods, showed an average annual increase of 30% since 2014. Europe ranks first in the number of new free-from products rolled out last year.

Halal food. Halal-certified food that corresponds to Islamic dietary rules is gaining significance around the world. The increasing demand for halal ready-made products in the Near East, combined with the growing demand in the West, is leading to strong growth and a record number of new product introductions.

Kosher products. The demand for kosher products also is growing. The distribution of these foodstuffs, which correspond with Jewish dietary rules, is increasing, according to data provided by Innova Market Insights. In 2018, 33% of kosher products were also gluten-free, 25% were free of genetic modifications and 22% carried a “without additives and preservatives” claim. Most kosher claims are found on bakery products, sauces and snacks.

Non-G.M.O. claims. More than 5% of global new products in 2018 carried a non-G.M.O. claim, which corresponds to an average annual growth of 14% since 2014. Over the past years, North America has taken over from Europe as the leading market region for non-G.M.O. claims. Growth also has been recorded in Latin America. Most of the newly introduced non-G.M.O. products fall under the categories of bakery products, dairy products and snacks, whereby the overall penetration of such claims is highest in cereals and baby/toddler foods.

Organic products. The percentage of new products that fall under the organic segment grew from 8.8% of the new introductions in 2014 to 10.5% in 2018. In Europe, with an average annual growth of 15.5%, the share of organic claims among newly introduced European foodstuffs is even more significant. In 2018, 58% of all new introductions with an organic seal occurred in Europe and 22% were introduced in North America. The fastest-growing category is snacks, with an average annual growth of 18.6% from 2014 to 2018. At Anuga Organic and the Anuga Organic Market, trade visitors will find a wide range of organic products from Germany and abroad with a clear focus on export.

Products with protected designation of origin. Shoppers increasingly want to know how their food is produced, where it comes from and the sourcing/processing of individual ingredients. Locally and regionally produced foods are perceived as more trustworthy by many consumers. Certificates of origin, such as PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) or PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) enhance the image of traditionally manufactured products and underline their origin and quality. This labeling will be prominent throughout Anuga 2019, especially in the international pavilions where manufacturers take pride in the traditional recipes and protected procurement and processing methods.

Ready-to-eat foods. Today’s consumers are looking for fast, convenient and healthy meal and snack solutions that suit their busy lifestyles. This is particularly true for snacks, where there’s an increase in premium, authentic and ethnic recipes. Among all convenience foods, protein and fiber content claims are a priority, as there’s increased interest in satiation and weight management.

Superfoods. Highly nutritious foodstuffs with added value in terms of contributing to health and well-being are considered superfoods. The number of newly introduced foodstuffs that are marketed as superfoods experienced an average annual growth of 12% from 2014 to 2018. Some of the most popular superfoods are grains, nuts and seeds, which are appearing in all types of food applications, including baked foods, snack foods, meat and dairy alternatives, and beverages.

Products based on fair trade. Fair trade focuses on the international development, social equity and fair economic profits. Although it is still a niche market — less than 1% of all newly introduced foodstuffs displayed a fair trade claim in 2018 — they recorded a stable average annual growth of 6% from 2014 to 2018. Sweets and hot drinks are the two main categories for fair trade certification.

For more information on Anuga, visit www.anuga.com.