2026 Event Programme

15 - 18 December 2026 • IFM (Istanbul Expo Center)

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2026 Event Programme

WORLDFOOD ISTANBUL 2026

Food Arena Conference Programme

Four days of ideas, leaders and debates shaping the future of food.

15–18 December 2026 Istanbul Expo Center / Hall 1

DAY 01 • 15 DECEMBER 2026

FOOD SYSTEMS

From COP31 to Action

  • 6 sessions
  • 13:00 – 16:45
  • Food Arena
  1. – 15 min
    KEYNOTE

    COP31 Is Over. What Will Really Change?

  2. – 45 min
    PANEL · IN COLLABORATION WITH FAO

    From Policy to Systems: How Is Food Being Redefined?

    How will the COP31 decisions and the global policy agenda translate into changes in Türkiye’s food system?

    MODERATOR

    • Ilgaz GürsoyJournalist, Author & TV Presenter

    SPEAKERS

    • Ayşegül SelışıkDeputy Representative, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Türkiye
  3. – 45 min
    PANEL · IN COLLABORATION WITH WFP

    How Will Global Food Systems Continue to Feed the World?

    MODERATOR

    • İrfan DonatAgriculture Editor

    SPEAKERS

    • Fethi SönmezChairman of the Board, Armada Foods
    • Stephen CahillCountry Director, United Nations World Food Programme
    • Uğur TosunerDeputy General Manager for Trade, MSC Türkiye
  4. – 45 min
    PANEL · IN COLLABORATION WITH IFAD

    The Future of Production: Who Will Stay in the Game?

    Where do small-scale producers stand in this transformation? How will this transition be financed?

    MODERATOR

    • İrfan DonatAgriculture Editor

    SPEAKERS

    • Bora SürmeliAgricultural Economist, World Bank
    • Osman ÖztürkChairman of the Board, Tire Süt
    • Taylan KıymazProgramme Coordinator, IFAD
  5. – 45 min
    SPECIAL SESSION

    The Cost of Sustainability: Who Pays, Who Benefits?

    We want to make food systems more sustainable. But who will ultimately bear the cost of this transformation – producers, manufacturers, consumers, governments or the financial sector?

    MODERATOR

    • Ilgaz GürsoyJournalist, Author & TV Presenter

    SPEAKERS

    • Yasemin KireçFounder, Anadolu Meraları
  6. – 30 min
    CLOSING SESSION

    From COP31 to Action

    The 5 Priority Transformation Steps for the Food Industry

    SPEAKERS

    • Ilgaz GürsoyJournalist, Author & TV Presenter
    • İrfan DonatAgriculture Editor

DAY 02 • 16 DECEMBER 2026

THE BUSINESS OF FOOD

Trade, Retail & Margin War

  • 4 sessions
  • 13:00 – 15:45
  • Food Arena
  1. – 30 min
    KEYNOTE · IN COLLABORATION WITH EUROMONITOR INTERNATIONAL

    The Future of Food: Global Trends Reshaping Consumer Demand

    SPEAKER

    • Aylin SiyahhanEuromonitor International, Research Manager
  2. – 45 min
    PANEL · IN COLLABORATION WITH EUROMONITOR INTERNATIONAL

    New Game: Where Will Türkiye Win in Food?

    Will Türkiye remain a low-cost supplier? Is value-added production really achievable? New markets: finding the balance between Africa, the Gulf and the EU.

    MODERATOR

    • Cenk GürsoyEuromonitor International, Senior Sales Consultant

    SPEAKERS

    • Murat MadenExport Director, Yöre Grup
  3. – 45 min
    PANEL · IN COLLABORATION WITH EUROMONITOR INTERNATIONAL

    Retail Reset: Who Holds the Power on the Shelf?

    Why is private label booming? Does a brand really create value? Are retailers pushing back against producers?

    MODERATOR

    • Mehrnoush ShafieiEuromonitor International, Consultant
  4. – 45 min
    PANEL

    Price, Cost, Margin: Who Is Making Money and Who Is Losing?

    Rising costs vs. consumer resistance. Is the discount culture undermining quality? Is the business still profitable?

DAY 03 • 17 DECEMBER 2026

FOOD NEXT

What Will Actually Change?

From FoodTech Hype to Real Market Dynamics: Has the future arrived, or are we still watching presentations about it?

  • 4 sessions
  • 13:00 – 16:45
  • Food Arena
  1. – 45 min
    KEYNOTE

    The Future of Eating: What Will Actually Change?

    SPEAKER

    • Dr Morgaine GayeFood Futurologist & Consumer Trends Expert
  2. – 45 min
    PANEL

    FoodTech: Real Revolution or Overhyped Bubble?

    Is FoodTech genuinely transforming the food system, or are we looking at it from inside an investment and narrative bubble?

    How much value are FoodTech investments actually creating? Which areas are truly scaling, and which will remain simply “trends”?

    Are start-ups transforming the system, or are established players adapting to change?

    Which models are working in Europe and global markets? Where does Türkiye stand within this ecosystem? Has innovation in the food sector really accelerated, or has it simply become more visible?

    MODERATOR

    • Emrah İnceBoard Member, Konfrut Tarım

    SPEAKERS

    • Duygu ErenCEO, Decacorn Angels
  3. – 45 min
    PANEL · IN COLLABORATION WITH GİFT

    From Idea to Shelf: Why Most Food Products Fail?

    Why do new products fail? Do trends really translate into sales? What does the consumer try, and what do they buy again? Does innovation win, or does price? In product development, which matters more: data or intuition? Is getting onto the retail shelf harder, or staying there?

    MODERATOR

    • Samet SerttaşGİFT Chairman of the Board

    SPEAKERS

    • Ayşegül TaluDirector of Gastronomy and Production Processes, Macrocenter
  4. – 45 min
    PANEL

    The Protein Race: Who Will Win the Future?

    Can alternative proteins really scale? Is the hype around plant-based products coming to an end? Will traditional producers lose out in this transformation, or can they adapt and emerge as winners? Are functional foods a new category or a temporary trend? Are consumers really moving towards healthier and more sustainable options? How will price, taste and accessibility determine the real winner of the race?

    MODERATOR

    • Can KayacılarScientist

    SPEAKERS

    • Elvan OdabaşıEntrepreneur, Dietitian
    • Murat BayramGlobal Sales and Marketing Director, AVES

DAY 04 • 18 DECEMBER 2026

FOOD EXPERIENCE

Consumer, Culture & Influence

  • 3 sessions
  • 13:00 – 15:45
  • Food Arena
  1. – 45 min
    PANEL · IN COLLABORATION WITH GASTROLİNK

    The New Consumer: It’s Not What They Eat, It’s Why They Give It Up

    How does the consumer really live in everyday life?

    MODERATOR

    • Asuman Kerkez

    SPEAKERS

    • Didem Şekerel ErdoğanGeneral Manager, NIQ (NielsenIQ + GfK) Türkiye
    • Emre SeverCEO & Board Member, Pine Drinks
    • Nur SerenliClient Relations Director, NIQ Türkiye
  2. – 45 min
    PANEL · IN COLLABORATION WITH GURULOGY

    How Are Trends Born? Or Are We All Selling the Same Thing?

    Who creates trends: the kitchen, the brand or the algorithm? Do influencers shape trends, or simply accelerate them? Can a non-sustainable product become a trend? Does the consumer really care about sustainability? Are we all copying the same trends? Is creating a trend harder, or selling it?

    MODERATOR

    • Serra TükelFounder, Gurulogy

    SPEAKERS

    • Dr Morgaine GayeFood Futurologist & Consumer Trends Expert
  3. – 45 min
    PANEL

    Food = Experience: How Does a Brand Sell a Story?

    How is the experience economy changing food? Does storytelling really drive sales? Can premiumisation work in Türkiye?

    MODERATOR

    • Özlem MekikChef

    SPEAKERS

    • Ebru Baybara DemirSocial Entrepreneur & Gastronomy Chef
    • Merve TüfekçiFounder, Şifa Köyü
    • Murat BozokConcept Consultant / Chef
    • Özgün Gürlen AkbayırFounder, Grandma’s Wonderland

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