Rosario Exports Exploring New Opportunities at IFE and lunch! 2026
Rosario Exports Procurement Manager Karl Price has been out meeting brands, suppliers and food industry professionals at two of the UK’s leading food and drink trade events during 2026: IFE and, most recently, lunch! at the London Food & Drink Festival.
For Rosario Exports, attending major industry events plays an important role in discovering new products, strengthening relationships with existing suppliers and identifying British and European brands with genuine potential in international markets.
Discovering New Brands at IFE 2026
Earlier this year, Karl attended IFE 2026 at ExCeL London, one of the UK’s major food and drink industry events.
The exhibition brings together established manufacturers, emerging brands, wholesalers, distributors and buyers from across the industry, providing an ideal environment to see new product development first-hand and understand where the UK food and drink market is heading.
IFE 2026 also introduced a new Meet the Buyer Series in partnership with Food & Drink Wholesale UK, connecting participating brands directly with buyers representing major wholesale groups including Booker, National Buying Consortium, Sugro and The Wholesale Group.
That focus on creating commercially meaningful connections closely reflects our own approach at Rosario Exports.
When we meet a new brand, we are not simply looking at whether the product works within the UK. We also consider how it could perform internationally.
Shelf life, packaging, pricing, market positioning, consumer appeal and suitability for different retail channels all play a part when assessing whether a product could succeed within our worldwide customer network.
From IFE to lunch! 2026
Karl returned to ExCeL London in September for lunch! 2026, part of the newly created London Food & Drink Festival.
The event brought together hundreds of exhibitors across food, drink and related sectors, with brands ranging from established household names to innovative businesses introducing products to the market.
For our procurement team, that mix is particularly valuable.
Rosario Exports already works with a broad portfolio of recognised British and European brands, but we are constantly looking for something new. Emerging categories, changing consumer tastes and innovative product formats can create significant opportunities within international retail.
Trade events allow us to meet the people behind those products directly, understand their ambitions and discuss where international distribution could form part of their future growth.
Exploring What’s New in UK Food & Drink
One of the biggest advantages of attending events such as IFE and lunch! is the opportunity to see an enormous range of products in one place.
During his visits, Karl met with brands from across the food and drink industry and explored products spanning soft drinks, functional beverages, snacks, health foods, confectionery, children’s products and more.
Some were familiar names with new ranges and formats, while others were emerging brands looking to establish themselves within the UK and international markets.
Take a look through some of the brands and products that caught our attention at IFE and lunch!
Looking at UK Products Through an Export Lens
A product performing well in the UK does not automatically make it suitable for export.
Our experience supplying customers across international markets means we look at products differently. We consider where a range could fit, which markets may respond to it and whether the practical requirements of international distribution can be met.
This can mean introducing an established British brand to a new territory, helping an emerging manufacturer begin its export journey or identifying a specific product that meets the requirements of one of our existing customers.
Trade shows give us the opportunity to start those conversations directly with the people behind the brands.
Looking at UK Products Through an Export Lens
If you met Karl at IFE or lunch! 2026, or you are a UK or European food and drink brand looking to develop your international sales, we would be pleased to hear from you.
Rosario Exports specialises in the consolidation and export of British and European FMCG, working with manufacturers, brand owners, distributors and retailers around the world.
With access to more than 20,000 products and over two decades of export experience, we help connect great brands with international markets.
Looking to develop your brand internationally? Contact the Rosario Exports team to discuss your export opportunities.
