Join us for Fresh Food Logistics 2026 from October 6-8 at IFEMA, Madrid, focusing on fresh food logistics and supply chain solutions.
Dates
6–8 Oct 2026
City / country
Madrid, Spain
Venue
IFEMA - Feria de Madrid
Are you the organiser of this event?
Event overview
Fresh Food Logistics 2026 will take place from October 6 to 8, 2026, at IFEMA - Feria de Madrid, Spain.
This event focuses on the logistics of fresh food, bringing together industry leaders and innovators.
TL;DR
Visitors will gain insights into the latest trends and technologies in fresh food logistics, network with industry experts, and explore new business opportunities.
Exhibitors will have the chance to showcase their products and services to a targeted audience, enhance brand visibility, and connect with potential clients and partners. The logistics of fresh food is crucial for ensuring quality and timely delivery to consumers. This event highlights innovations and best practices in the sector, making it essential for professionals looking to enhance their operations.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Madrid, Spain
Attend
Who runs the show
IFEMA MADRID
How the last edition performed
Current edition
2026
Impact
Fresh Food Logistics 2026 will take place from October 6 to 8, 2026, at IFEMA - Feria de Madrid, Spain. This event focuses on the logistics of fresh food, bringing together industry leaders and innovators. The logistics of fresh food is crucial for ensuring quality and timely delivery to consumers. This event highlights innovations and best practices in the sector, making it essential for professionals looking to enhance their operations. Join us.
Audience quality
Visitors typically include Logistics managers from fresh food companies, Supply chain professionals, Retail buyers, Food safety experts. Event Name: Fresh Food Logistics 2026. Dates: October 6-8, 2026. Location: IFEMA - Feria de Madrid, Spain. Focus: Fresh food logistics and supply chain solutions. Fresh Food Logistics 2026 attracts an audience aligned with the organiser's published visitor positioning.
Exhibitor outcomes
Exhibitors will have the chance to showcase their products and services to a targeted audience, enhance brand visibility, and connect with potential clients and partners. The logistics of fresh food is crucial for ensuring quality and timely delivery to consumers. This event highlights innovations and best practices in the sector, making it essential for professionals looking to enhance their operations. Exhibitor categories include Fresh food suppliers, Logistics and transportation companies, Cold chain solution.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Spain is one of Europe's largest producers and exporters of fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and seafood, and Madrid is its logistics and distribution hub — IFEMA already anchors the sector's calendar with major fresh-produce and food trade fairs. A dedicated fresh-food logistics event brings the demand side (retailers, wholesalers, foodservice and exporters) together with refrigerated transport, cold-store, packaging and telematics suppliers in one venue, making it a concentrated two-to-three-day window to benchmark cold-chain partners, test equipment, and open Iberian distribution conversations without travelling across multiple countries.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Cold-chain digitalisation and traceability
Temperature-monitoring IoT sensors, real-time track-and-trace and digital quality records are moving from premium option to baseline requirement, driven by retailer audits and EU food-safety expectations — a core buying theme for logistics managers at the show.
Energy costs, efficiency and natural refrigerants
High energy prices and tightening F-gas rules are pushing operators toward CO2, ammonia and propane systems, plus energy-efficient cold stores and solar-assisted depots — equipment vendors are positioning efficiency gains as a direct cost-saving argument.
Last-mile temperature control in food e-commerce
Growth in online grocery and meal-kit delivery is creating demand for insulated last-mile solutions, micro-fulfilment cold rooms and urban consolidation centres that keep the chain unbroken to the consumer's door.
Food-waste reduction and compliance pressure
EU sustainability and food-waste targets, together with retailer quality standards, are making shelf-life extension, smarter stock rotation and validated cold chains commercially important rather than purely reputational.
Resilience and nearshoring of fresh supply
Disruption to long-haul routes and a focus on shorter, traceable supply chains are boosting intra-European sourcing and multi-modal refrigerated transport — relevant to Iberian exporters serving Northern European markets.
Fresh Food Logistics sits inside a dense European circuit of fresh-produce, food and logistics trade fairs. Most larger buyers and suppliers plan a 12–18 month rotation across these shows, so use them together: autumn events are dominated by food and fresh-produce calendars, while spring and early summer favour logistics and cold-chain technology platforms.
February
Fresh produce buyers and exporters — Fruit Logistica, Berlin
May–June (odd years)
Freight, supply-chain and cold-chain technology — transport logistic, Munich
September–October
Iberian fresh-produce and food sourcing, incl. Fruit Attraction and Fresh Food Logistics in Madrid, plus SIAL Paris/Anuga in alternating years
Peer events listed from their public organiser websites; confirm exact 2026 dates on each event site before committing travel.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Metro Line 8 serves IFEMA Feria de Madrid.
to venue
15–25 min
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 75–120 / night
Best value, but thin on meeting space — plan to take taxis/metro to the venue and to hold meetings on the hall floor or in central Madrid.
sourceUSD 140–205 / night
The practical default for exhibitors and trade visitors: closest to IFEMA entrances, breakfast included at most properties, and quick access to the North Convention Centre.
sourceUSD 230–380 / night
Larger rooms, gyms and in-house meeting/banqueting space — the usual choice for delegations, hosted-buyer programmes and stand-team leadership. October is Madrid's autumn high season, so book 4–8 weeks out.
sourceGet around the city with these convenient transport options.
taxi
Licensed white taxis with red stripes queue at every terminal; a fixed airport supplement applies and luggage is charged per bag. Allow EUR 30–40 and 35 min if arriving 08:00–10:00 or 18:00–20:00.
metro
Runs roughly 06:00–01:30; about 10–15 min to the IFEMA stop with no interchange from T4. Cheapest option with light luggage — buy a Multi Card at the station machines.
train
Suburban rail link stopping directly at the IFEMA fairground; useful from T4 and from central Madrid (Nuevos Ministerios, Chamartín, Atocha). Trains are frequent but less luggage-friendly at peak times.
bus
Cheapest city option; check the organiser's show-day shuttle schedule in the visitor guide before relying on it, and allow extra time in morning peak.
rideshare
Ride-hailing is widely used in Madrid; expect surge pricing during show opening/closing peaks. Pick-up/drop-off points are signposted at the IFEMA entrances.
parking
Large paid car parks serve the halls; spaces fill early on the busiest show days. Disabled-access bays and coach parking are available at the main entrances.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen Type C short-stay visa | Nationals of countries not covered by the EU visa-exemption list and travelling to Spain for business meetings, trade fairs or site visits of up to 90 days | $100.00 | 15 calendar days as a rule; extendable to 45 days; apply at least 4–6 weeks before travel in peak season | |
| Visa-exempt short stay (90/180 days) | UK, US, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, most EEA-adjacent and many Latin American nationals, among others | — | None — no visa required for business visits under 90 days in any 180-day period | |
| ETIAS pre-travel authorisation (expected) | Visa-exempt nationals, once the system becomes operational | — | Online application, typically approved within minutes to a few days |
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens travel freely with a national ID card or passport. Visa-exempt third-country nationals (UK, US, Canada, Japan, Australia and others) may enter for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa — business visits, trade-fair attendance and contract negotiations are permitted, but paid local employment is not.
Spain is a party to the ATA Carnet convention; carnets are accepted for commercial samples, professional equipment and goods for display at IFEMA. Confirm the exact IFEMA customs/forwarding procedure and the issuing chamber's requirements with the organiser before shipping — carnets must be validated on entry and re-exported within 12 months.
Official visa pageWeather
Madrid in early October is mild and mostly dry, with typical afternoon highs of 19–21°C (66–70°F) and night-time lows of 9–11°C (48–52°F). October is nevertheless one of the city's wetter months (roughly 45–60 mm of rain over 6–8 days), so pack layers for cool mornings plus a compact umbrella for occasional short showers.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Confirm mobile roaming or local SIM options for business visitors to Spain.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Meal times and business hours
Madrid runs late: lunch is typically 14:00–15:30 and dinner rarely starts before 21:00. Business meetings are usually scheduled 09:30–13:30 and 16:00–19:00, and many offices close for a long mid-afternoon break. Allow for this when planning stand-side appointments and off-site dinners.
Tipping and paying
Tipping is modest and optional: rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% in restaurants for good service is standard, EUR 1–2 for bar staff and small change for hotel housekeeping. Cards are accepted almost everywhere at IFEMA and in the city, but carry some cash for taxis and small cafés.
Dress and etiquette
Trade-fair dress code is smart business casual — a jacket and closed shoes are the safe default for stand duty and conference sessions. Greetings are warm: a handshake in first business meetings, with two cheek kisses common between acquaintances; Spanish is the working language alongside English, and a short greeting in Spanish is appreciated.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: MAD
Book flights to MAD (Madrid) when possible for the shortest transfer to the venue.
Spain is in the Schengen Area. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens travel with an ID card or passport; visa-exempt nationals (UK, US, Canada, Japan, Australia and others) may attend the fair for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Other nationalities need a Schengen Type C short-stay visa (EUR 90, apply 4–6 weeks ahead; standard processing 15 days). A visa-exempt ETIAS pre-travel authorisation is expected to apply from late 2026 — verify on the official EU portal before booking.
Estimated cost: Varies by visa type and nationality (check official site).
Processing: Varies by nationality; apply several weeks before travel.
Apply at the Spanish consulate/visa centre for your place of residence; a trade-fair invitation or organiser registration confirmation strengthens a business-purpose application. Reduced fee (EUR 45) applies to children aged 6–12; under-6s are exempt. Carry a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure, plus evidence of the trade-fair purpose (registration, invitation, retur
OfficialFind a stay near the venue with options for every budget.
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (MAD) to IFEMA - Feria de Madrid: EUR 20–30 official taxi meter estimate (≈15 min off-peak). Licensed white taxis with red stripes queue at every terminal; a fixed airport supplement applies and luggage is charged per bag. Allow EUR 30–40 and 35 min if arriving 08:00–10:00 or 18:00–20:00.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near IFEMA - Feria de Madrid: Barajas / airport corridor (5–12 min to IFEMA by car): ibis budget Madrid Aeropuerto, Hotel Villa de Barajas, Hostales in Barajas old town; Campo de las Naciones / Feria de Madrid (walking or 5 min taxi to the halls): Hotel Axor Barajas, NH Madrid Barajas, Hotel Tryp Madrid Aeropuerto; Campo de las Naciones and the A-2 corridor (5–10 min to IFEMA): Madrid Marriott Auditorium Hotel & Conference Center, Hotel Pullman Madrid Airport & Feria, Meliá Baraj
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Madrid; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: Metro L8 Feria de Madrid station at IFEMA campus.
Parking: On-site parking is available at IFEMA - Feria de Madrid; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: October 2026
Temperature: Average 10–21°C (50–70°F): daytime highs around 19–21°C, early-morning lows around 9–11°C
Seasonality: October is one of Madrid's wetter months — roughly 45–60 mm of rain spread over 6–8 days, usually as short showers rather than all-day rain, with pleasant autumn sunshine between them.
Packing: Madrid in early October is mild and mostly dry, with typical afternoon highs of 19–21°C (66–70°F) and night-time lows of 9–11°C (48–52°F). October is nevertheless one of the city's wetter months (roughly 45–60 mm of rain over 6–8 days), so pack layers for cool mornings plus a compact umbrella for oc
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Day 2 — Wednesday 7 October 2026
Over a Tuesday-to-Thursday run, Day 1 is dominated by opening ceremonies, registration queues and exhibitor set-up finishing touches, while Day 3 sees lower footfall and afternoon stand breakdown. The middle day is normally the peak for both exhibitor staffing (decision-makers present) and conference programming, giving the best single-day ratio of qualified conversations to hours on site. If you can only attend one day, take Day 2 and pre-book meetings for the morning.
Badge collection, orientation walk and hall map planning at the IFEMA main entrance
IFEMA – Feria de Madrid, South/main entrance and registration areaFirst-pass walkthrough of refrigerated transport, cold-store and packaging exhibitors
IFEMA exhibition halls (fresh-food logistics zones)Conference sessions and structured supplier meetings (pre-booked)
IFEMA North Convention Centre and meeting/B2B areasFollow-up meetings, procurement consolidation and team debrief before departure
IFEMA halls and a nearby Campo de las Naciones hotel meeting roomToledo
Segovia
IFEMA networking and B2B meeting areas
Venue-based B2B zone
The fairground's dedicated meeting/B2B areas and exhibitor hospitality corners are where pre-arranged buyer–supplier meetings happen; book slots in advance through the organiser's matchmaking service if offered.
IFEMA North Convention Centre lobby and café
Conference venue
Central meeting point for conference delegates and speakers — useful for catching post-session speakers and for informal introductions between sessions.
Campo de las Naciones hotel bars and restaurants (e.g. near the Marriott Auditorium)
Off-site evening networking
Closest concentration of hotel bars and restaurants to the venue, so many exhibitors and delegations continue conversations here after the halls close — strong for evening relationship building.
Budget
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
visa_fee
visitor · standard
EUR 90 / per person
hotel_night
visitor · Budget
USD 75–120 / per room per night
hotel_night
visitor · Mid-range
USD 140–205 / per room per night
hotel_night
visitor · Premium
USD 230–380 / per room per night
per_diem
visitor · standard
USD 60–90 / per person per day (meals and local transport)
airport_transfer
visitor · standard
EUR 20–30 / per taxi journey, MAD to IFEMA
visa_fee
visitor · Schengen Type C short-stay visa
USD 100 / per application
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| visa_fee | visitor | standard | EUR 90 / per person | official | |
| hotel_night | visitor | Budget | USD 75–120 / per room per night | estimate | |
| hotel_night | visitor | Mid-range | USD 140–205 / per room per night | estimate | |
| hotel_night | visitor | Premium | USD 230–380 / per room per night | estimate | |
| per_diem | visitor | standard | USD 60–90 / per person per day (meals and local transport) | estimate | |
| airport_transfer | visitor | standard | EUR 20–30 / per taxi journey, MAD to IFEMA | estimate | |
| visa_fee | visitor | Schengen Type C short-stay visa | USD 100 / per application | official |
Decision
Pick the closest answer for each. Your recommendation updates live.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You need to benchmark suppliers, see cold-chain equipment and packaging in person, and have at least 3–5 qualified conversations that would otherwise take months of email.
Best for
Cold-chain operators, food retailers and distributors, logistics technology buyers and 3PLs evaluating suppliers, plus press and analysts covering fresh-food supply chains — typically 1–3 people for 1–2 days.
Min. budget
$580.00
Timeline
4–8 weeks: register online for a trade badge, book a mid-range hotel near Campo de las Naciones (October is high season), and file a Schengen visa 4–6 weeks in advance if you need one.
Risks
Budget estimate from listing cost signals — confirm live rates.
Entry is usually by trade registration rather than paid ticket — confirm the accreditation process and deadline with IFEMA to avoid on-site delays.
October is a wet month in Madrid and a busy conference period — late hotel bookings near the venue can jump in price or sell out.
exhibit
You have a defined Iberian/Southern European pipeline, 3+ staff who can work the stand, and a follow-up process ready to run within 48 hours of the show closing.
Best for
Cold-chain equipment and refrigeration suppliers, temperature-controlled transport and last-mile providers, packaging, telematics/IoT vendors and logistics software firms targeting Iberian and Southern European fresh-food buyers.
Min. budget
$2,900.00
Timeline
4–6 months: reserve stand space early (prime hall positions go first), appoint a stand builder, ship equipment with an ATA Carnet or customs broker, and brief staff 4–6 weeks out.
Risks
Budget estimate from listing cost signals — confirm booth pricing with the organiser.
Stand space plus build, travel, accommodation and shipping typically pushes real exhibitor cost well above the minimum shown here.
ROI depends on pre-booked meetings: without a targeted outreach list, footfall alone rarely converts.
skip
Your target accounts do not attend, the product line is outside the fresh-food logistics scope, or you can reach the same buyers more cheaply at a dedicated event in your own market.
Best for
Buyers with no fresh-food or cold-chain remit, vendors with no Spanish/EU route to market, and teams whose Q4 budget is committed to an established circuit event (e.g. Fruit Attraction or Fruit Logistica).
Timeline
None — monitor the post-show press release and next edition dates instead; re-evaluate once exhibitor lists and conference themes are published.
Risks
No major risks listed.
Book with
Iberia
Iberia and IFEMA MADRID have joined forces to promote Madrid as one of the world’s leading trade fair and convention cities.
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