A New Format: Retail and Foodservice in Focus

One of the most striking changes for 2026 is the two-day split structure, designed to give exhibitors sharper access to the audiences that matter most.

Day 1 – Retail Excellence

Day one will align with the judging of the ICDA Awards, drawing senior retail buyers, category managers, and commercial decision-makers. Against the backdrop of over 4,000 award entries, exhibitors will showcase their latest innovations – from plant-enriched dairy alternatives to premium cheeses designed to command space in the speciality aisle. With consumer confidence under pressure, retailers are seeking products that deliver both differentiation and dependable value. ICDEX 2026 will provide a curated environment where those conversations can take place.

Day 2 – Foodservice Focus

The second day will pivot to foodservice, spotlighting the chefs, distributors, and wholesalers who shape how dairy is used in kitchens and catering across the UK and beyond. With menu inflation cooling but margins still squeezed, foodservice operators are looking to dairy for versatility, flavour, and efficiency. From bulk-pack solutions to artisanal products that add premium value, day two will bring suppliers face-to-face with those who decide what reaches the plate.

This dual structure not only improves the visitor experience; it ensures exhibitors are better able to align their investment with tangible outcomes.

Artisan and Speciality Cheese: A Renewed Commitment

In 2026, ICDEX will shine a brighter light on artisan and speciality cheesemakers. Long recognised for their role as innovators and guardians of heritage, these producers are increasingly vital to both retail and foodservice. Consumer appetite for provenance, regionality, and authenticity continues to grow – particularly among younger demographics who see cheese as both a food and a cultural marker.

ICDEX 2026 will provide:

• Dedicated showcase zones for artisan producers
• Buyer matchmaking to help smaller makers connect directly with commercial partners
• Storytelling platforms through tastings, demonstrations, and features that celebrate craft as much as commerce.

The aim is to create not just visibility, but viable opportunities for artisan producers to scale and thrive in a competitive marketplace.

Suppliers and Technical Innovation: Serving the Value Chain

A further evolution for 2026 is an expanded platform for suppliers to the dairy and cheese industry. Equipment manufacturers, packaging innovators, logistics providers, and sustainability specialists are the backbone of the sector, driving efficiency, resilience, and compliance.

In a new development, ICDEX 2026 will work in close partnership with the Society of Dairy Technologists (SDT), which will host its annual Summer Conference and Dinner on 24 June as part of the two-day programme. This integration ensures that technical expertise, cutting-edge research, and industry best practice are placed firmly at the heart of the event.

ICDEX 2026 will introduce enhanced opportunities for suppliers to connect with a well-established technical and procurement audience. From filtration systems that improve product quality, to packaging solutions designed to meet retailer sustainability targets, to energy-efficient technologies that reduce Scope 3 emissions, the EXPO will give suppliers a unique stage to showcase their contribution to dairy’s future.

By building this bridge – and by aligning with the SDT’s network of technologists, scientists, and procurement leaders – ICDEX ensures the event does not only serve those who make and sell cheese and dairy, but also those who enable the industry to operate more sustainably and profitably.

Why “Dairy Connect” Matters

The dairy industry has always been built on connections – between farmer and processor, producer and retailer, maker and consumer. But in 2026, those connections are under more strain and more scrutiny than ever.

Sustainability: Scope 3 emissions and packaging reduction targets are redefining supply chain expectations. Retailers and foodservice operators are seeking suppliers who can help them meet ambitious climate pledges.

Consumer Trends: Value remains critical, but so does innovation. From high-protein formats to indulgent treats, dairy has the ability to flex across categories – but brands must be clear about their proposition.

International Competition: Imports continue to influence the UK market, while British cheese and dairy exports face tariff uncertainty. Collaboration is key to ensuring resilience.

By adopting the theme Dairy Connect, the organisers are underscoring the urgency of these challenges while creating a space for solutions to emerge. ICDEX 2026 is not simply about showcasing products – it is about convening the industry to shape its shared future.

What Exhibitors and Visitors Can Expect

For exhibitors, the value is clear:

• Targeted audiences: direct access to over 2,500 qualified trade visitors across retail, foodservice, and technical roles.
• Commercial authority: association with the ICDA Awards, the world’s leading cheese and dairy competition.
• Opportunities to engage: from structured networking to roundtables and seminar sessions.

For visitors, the benefits are equally compelling:

• Efficiency: the only one-stop shop for the cheese and dairy industry to benchmark products, discover suppliers, and understand category trends.
• Innovation discovery: from multinational dairy groups to artisan cheesemakers, ICDEX will showcase the full spectrum of the sector.
• Supplier solutions: the latest in packaging, filtration, and sustainability innovations will be on display for procurement and technical teams.

Looking Ahead

As the dairy industry navigates change, ICDEX 2026 offers a unique platform: one where commercial outcomes and industry collaboration are not mutually exclusive, but mutually reinforcing. Retail, foodservice, artisan makers, and suppliers all need each other – and ICDEX 2026 is the meeting point.

Dairy Connect – Connecting Dairy’s Future is not just a theme. It is an invitation to the industry to come together, to shape its future, and to ensure that dairy continues to thrive in all its forms.

SAVE THE DATE: 24–25 JUNE 2026