Delegates in the auditorium at a food science conference

What's Next in Food Conference · Barcelona 2027

The future of food starts on this stage

3

Conference Days

1

Global Edition

400+

Attendees

25 – 27 May 2027

Barcelona, Spain

--Days
--Hours
--Minutes
--Seconds

What is What's Next in Food?

A global stage for the future of food systems

The What's Next in Food Conference is an academic conference focused on the future of food systems, nutrition, food safety and sustainable food technologies. It brings together researchers, food scientists, nutritionists, agritech innovators and policy experts.

Three days in Barcelona cover breakthroughs in food production, processing, safety and consumer health — through keynotes, panels, oral presentations, poster sessions and curated networking, organised by Next Business Media.

Explore the conference ↗

Key highlights

The scale of Barcelona 2027

0+

Delegates expected

0+

Speakers & panellists

0+

Countries represented

0+

Papers & posters

0

Days of programme

Live from the portal

Upcoming editions

Every edition, date and venue below is pulled live from the Next Business Media events portal, so this page always mirrors the latest programme.

Next in Food Conference, Barcelona Spain 2027
Food

Next in Food Conference, Barcelona Spain 2027

May 25 — May 27, 2027

Barcelona, Spain (venue to be confirmed)

Who will you meet?

The room is the reason you come

A curated mix of academics, thought leaders, industry experts, policymakers and NGOs working on what the world eats next.

01

Academics & Researchers

Food scientists, nutritionists and microbiologists presenting peer-reviewed work and finding collaborators.

02

Industry Experts

R&D, quality and supply-chain leaders from food manufacturers, retailers and ingredient houses.

03

Agritech & Startups

Founders in alternative proteins, fermentation, precision agriculture and food-waste technology.

04

Policymakers & NGOs

Regulators, standards bodies and NGOs shaping food safety, security and nutrition policy.

What's in store

Three days that move food systems forward

Reserve now ↗

Keynotes & Panels

30-minute keynotes and 40-minute panels from global leaders.

Oral & Poster Sessions

Academic presentations of new food science research.

Exhibition Booths

Ingredients, equipment and agritech shown live.

Networking

Curated introductions across academia and industry.

Core themes

The conversations on the agenda

Sustainable & Regenerative Food Systems

Farming, sourcing and processing models that restore soil, water and biodiversity.

Alternative Proteins

Plant-based, fermentation-derived and cultured meat — from lab bench to retail shelf.

Food Safety, Microbiology & Toxicology

Detection, traceability and risk management across increasingly complex supply chains.

Nutrition, Functional Foods & Health

Evidence linking diet, functional ingredients and long-term human health outcomes.

AI & Digital Technologies in Food

Data, modelling and automation accelerating formulation, quality and food innovation.

Food Waste & Circular Supply Chains

Valorising by-products, cutting loss and closing the loop from farm to fork.

Climate-Smart & Resilient Production

Growing more with less water, land and emissions in a warming climate.

Novel Processing & Packaging

Gentle processing, shelf-life extension and packaging that does not cost the planet.

Food Security & Global Nutrition

Affordable, available and nutritious food for growing populations everywhere.

Exhibition & research zones

Every link in the food value chain

Poster walls, demo tables and exhibition booths are grouped into themed zones so delegates can go straight to the science and suppliers they came for.

Alternative ProteinsFermentation & BiotechIngredients & AdditivesFunctional & Health FoodsDairy & Dairy AlternativesBakery & ConfectioneryBeverages & Hot DrinksFrozen, Ready-to-Eat & ConvenienceSnacks & On-the-GoMarine, Meat & Poultry ScienceFresh Produce & HorticultureOrganic, Natural & Ethical FoodsFood Safety & Testing TechnologyProcessing & Packaging EquipmentAgritech, Sensors & RoboticsDigital, AI & TraceabilitySustainable PackagingNutrition & Clinical Research
Book exhibition space ↗

Global reach

One conference, forty-plus food nations

Barcelona 2027 brings together universities, research institutes, food manufacturers and regulators from across four continents — the collaborations start in the room.

40+ countries 400+ delegates 60+ speakers

Europe

Spain, Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, Nordics, UK & Ireland

Middle East & Africa

UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa

Asia Pacific

India, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand

Americas

United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Chile

Community

Thought leaders in our network

Founders, scientists and policy voices who have shaped the conversation across our past AgriNext editions in Dubai — and who continue it in Barcelona.

Rahul Raj

Senior Technical Program Manager

Walmart Global Tech

Marjorie Soulhol

Herbalist

Tour guide, and Ambassador for agroecological transitions.

Eelco Van Putten

Agriculture leader

Okafor Anyiezugo John

Director

Whole sale and bulk supply value chain of Agro market square LLC Nigeria

Eduard Obis

CEO

VEGGA

Nikhilesh Kumar

Co-Founder & CEO

Vassar Labs Climate

Belinder Jabuya

CEO-Founder

Conserve Agritech Limited

Jorge Duarte

Agronomist and founder/CEO

Hortitool Consulting

Hasan Souksu

Owner

ATASU TARIM

Nazlı Gündoğdu

Founder

Safranatolia

Martin Kussmann, PhD

Head

Knowledge and Innovation

Iván López Muñoz

Head of Marketing

Pulverizadores Fede

Dr. Luis Ponce

Founder

Onteko Inc.

Josephine Favre

Founder and President

the African Association for Vertical Farming (AAVF)

Mohamed Nassar

Co-Founder

Milkup

Paul E. Bush

President

Calcot, Ltd

Radwa Youssef

Founder & CEO

Ganayin

Malte Binting

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Aya Kenz

Anas Al-Akkad

Co-Founder & Chief Sales Officer

Aya Kenz

Ms. Praveena Sridhar

Chief Science and Technology Officer

Berkan BOSTANOĞLU

Founder

Agromechatronics

Watch

Watch the conference in action

Highlights, keynotes and interviews from previous editions.

Watch more on our YouTube channel ↗

Meet Our Attendee: Jim Redmond | Agricultural Systems International | AgriNext Dubai 2026

Panel: Circular Economy in Agriculture — Reducing Waste & Maximizing Resources

Award Category: Excellence in Digital Transformation in Agrigenomics | Rajesh Perianayagam

Excellence in Agriculture : Outstanding Passion in Agricultural Consulting | Clayton Michael Butler

Excellence in Agriculture Leaders – Digital Agriculture Transformation | Dr. Franco da Silveira

Award : Excellence in Agriculture Leaders - Outstanding Young Agri-Entrepreneur | Hamayun Shabir

Stand Alone: Cultivating Cooperation – AgriTech Transfer for a Shared Future

Exclusive Interview with Deepak Pareek | Founder of HnyB Tech-Incubations Pvt. Ltd

Rainforest Microbiome Life Power: The Key to Healthy, Productive & Climate-Smart Agriculture

Exclusive Interview with Sandra Viviana Quesada Romero | CEO & Food Safety Specialist

Interview with Thea-Isabella Otto | Founder of Women in CEA | Leadership, Vision & Empowerment

Exclusive Interview with Michael Girel | Head of AuxBridge | Advancing AI & Digital Innovation

Interview with Krutarth Upadhyay | Founder & CEO, Hydro Health | Innovations in Water & Agri-Tech

Interview with Hamayun Shabir | Horticulturist, Agripreneur & Founder-CEO, Kashmir Agriventures

Interview with Jo Sakota | Co-Founder of Bio Aqua Garden | Innovating Sustainable Aquaponics

Exclusive Interview with Alex Sakota | Internet Profitability Specialist, Inventor & Entrepreneur

Panel: The Role of Biotech in Shaping the Future of Crops | Advancing Sustainable Agriculture

AI in Agriculture: Transforming Farming with Smart Decisions & Predictive Analytics

Session: FCIC Insights for Strengthening Food Security in IsDB Member States | Dr. Azhr Al Haboby

Global Roots, Local Fruits – Building the Future of Horticulture from Kashmir to the World

Stand Alone: The Vertical Farm – Towards a New Building Typology for the 21st Century

Panel: Global Trade and Policy Challenges in the Agricultural Sector | AgriNext Conference 2025

Day 1 Closing Speech by Ruchi Dana | AgriNext Conference 2025

Lykyn | Award Category: Excellence in Agriculture Industry – Urban & Smart Farming Innovation Award

Holistic Planet | Category: Excellence in Agriculture – Global Regenerative Agriculture Trailblazer

Nuffield Ireland | Category: Excellence in Agriculture Industry – Leadership in Youth Empowerment

Karyosoft Inc | Award Category: Excellence in Agriculture Industry – Agri-Biotech Solutions Award

Farmia IoT Limited | Award : Excellence in Agriculture – Climate-Smart Agriculture Solutions Award

Farmia IoT Limited | Category: Excellence in Agriculture – Digital Agriculture Transformation Award

Farmia IoT Limited | Award Category: Excellence in Agriculture – Agri-Fintech Innovation of the Year

Testimonials

What delegates say

Feedback from researchers and industry leaders at Next Business Media conferences.

The programme put food scientists, agritech founders and policymakers in one room. The quality of discussion was far above the usual circuit.
DDr. Elena MartiFood Systems Researcher, University Institute
Refreshingly practical sessions — real trial data, real supply-chain numbers, and honest talk about what did not work.
JJohan MeijerHead of R&D, Food Manufacturer
We met three research partners and a retailer in two days. It moved our alternative protein roadmap forward by months.
PPriya NairFounder, Fermentation Startup

Explore the Next Business Media Web App

Open the web app

Works right in your browser — no download required.

Next Business Media web app shown on two phones

Be part of it

Speak, present, exhibit or sponsor

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

What is the What's Next in Food Conference about?+

It is an academic conference on the future of food systems, nutrition, food safety and sustainable food technologies, combining keynotes, panels, oral presentations, poster sessions and an exhibition.

When and where does it take place?+

25 – 27 May 2027 in Barcelona, Spain. The venue is an academic conference venue and will be confirmed on the events portal.

Who should attend?+

Academics, researchers, food scientists, nutritionists, agritech innovators, industry R&D and quality leaders, policymakers and NGOs.

How do I apply to speak or present?+

We are looking for keynote speakers (30 minutes), panellists and moderators (40-minute panels), and academic speakers for oral presentations and poster sessions. Apply through the Get Involved section.

How do I register?+

Open the Barcelona 2027 event on the portal and choose Register. Pass tiers and pricing are shown on the event page.

Join the conversation in Barcelona

Attend, present or partner at the What's Next in Food Conference. Registration, passes and applications all run through the Next Business Media portal.