The 2026 edition of Madrid Fusión Alimentos de España, which drew 26,000 industry professionals, once again placed the Spanish capital at the forefront of culinary innovation, sustainability, and high-level dialogue among chefs, producers, distributors, and investors from around the world. The congress reaffirmed its role as a global meeting point for the international gastronomic community, where creative talent, applied research, food technology, and
new business models across the premium food sector increasingly intersect.
The impact of these events extends well beyond the culinary sphere, reinforcing Madrid’s role as an economic hub specializing in gastronomy, gourmet products, and innovation across the broader food value chain. Madrid functions not only as a showcase for global trends, but also as a strategic connector between Spanish producers and priority markets—especially the United States, one of the top destinations for Spanish food and beverage exports.
The United States has consolidated its position as a priority market for Spanish food and beverage exports. In 2024, Spanish exports of food and beverage products to the U.S. reached approximately $3.9 billion, representing 19.9% of Spain’s total exports to the country. This sustained momentum underscores the growing demand in the U.S. for high-quality Spanish products and highlights the depth of bilateral trade opportunities across the F&B segment.
Against this backdrop, the 39th edition of Salón Gourmets—International Fine Food & Beverage Trade Show—will take place at IFEMA Madrid from April 13 to 16, creating a new strategic opportunity for U.S. buyers and importers seeking high-value products. The previous edition welcomed more than 115,000 trade professionals, including over 19,000 international buyers, and featured 2,097 exhibitors, generating an estimated $340 million in business volume. With its scale and international footprint, Salón Gourmets has become one of Europe’s key B2B platforms for premium sourcing, product discovery, and commercial deal-making in the specialty food space.
Together, Madrid Fusión and Salón Gourmets reinforce Madrid’s status as a strategic meeting point for the global F&B ecosystem, integrating production, distribution, investment, and culinary creativity. As a result, Madrid is positioning itself not only as a top-tier culinary destination, but also as an international platform for promoting, commercializing, and scaling premium food brands—deepening its ties with the U.S. market and attracting high-impact business opportunities.