From 25 to 27 November 2025, St. Petersburg once again became the centre of the food industry, hosting one of the most anticipated industry exhibitions of the year — Peterfood 2025. More than 260 manufacturers from 15 countries gathered at the ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre: Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Hungary, Turkey, Tunisia, Jordan, Iraq, Ethiopia, Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, Armenia, Nepal and Ecuador.

The exhibition was officially opened by a delegation comprising:

- Hasan Abdulkareem Shakir, Commercial Attaché at the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Moscow;
- David Batari, Attaché for Foreign Economic Affairs at the Consulate General of Hungary in St. Petersburg;
- Ivan Babich, Marketing and Sales Director at X5 Import;
- Natalia Ershova, Deputy Head of the Business Development Department at the My Business Centre in Krasnoyarsk Krai;
- and Viktor Andreev, Founder of the Peterfood exhibition and Founder of the Chain's Wholesale Centre™.

The exhibition showcased high-quality standards, product diversity, and the participants' commitment to innovation. Exhibitors included both leading local brands and international companies presenting products that reflect rich cultural traditions and modern approaches to production.

Dariela company presented original signature tea blends, seasonings for discerning customers, soup mixes and side dishes. Tunisian manufacturer Jouda surprised guests with tomato paste made according to traditional recipes and treated visitors to fragrant pizza. Colleagues from Tunisia, Al Rajhi-El Ferjani, brought extra-class organic olive oils created in accordance with centuries-old national traditions.

The Georgian brand Henka, which combines the purity of nature, a scientific approach and cultural heritage, presented functional drinks that support health, energy and inner balance. The products of the company Vlyublenaya Marusya, environmentally friendly herbal teas and natural desserts, aroused great interest among the professional audience. The Belarusian factory Vitba, a leader in the dry breakfast market in the Republic of Belarus, once again presented its line of confectionery products at Peterfood.

The X5 Import stand was presented at the exhibition for the first time. Visitors learned about the latest market trends, assortment formation mechanisms, and purchasing opportunities through the wholesale platform. Guests were treated to freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable smoothies and discussed the development of imports in Russia under the new economic conditions.

The collective stands of 14 Russian regions attracted particular attention: Arkhangelsk, Ivanovo, Tver, Tomsk, Chelyabinsk, Lipetsk, Kemerovo, Kursk, Kurgan, Samara regions, Altai, Krasnoyarsk and Stavropol territories, and the Republic of Karelia. They were organised as part of the Federal Programme to Support Small and Medium-sized Businesses and became an effective platform for exchanging experience and establishing new business contacts.

Jordanian exhibitor Al Diaa Roastery brought premium coffee, nuts, spices, dried fruit and high-quality instant coffee to the exhibition. Turkish producers KOZA presented flavoured powders for drinks and ice cream, highlighting the diversity of Eastern flavours.

Moreover, this year marked the first-ever participation of Iraqi producers at Peterfood. Eight companies showcased dates, snacks, and confectionery items, sharing insights into the deep roots of Iraqi culinary culture, where food has always been an integral part of hospitality, family traditions, and celebrations. The participation of Iraqi companies was organised with the support of the State Company for International Exhibitions and Commercial Services under the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Iraq, symbolising a partnership that transcends geographical boundaries.

The Chain's Wholesale Centre™ became a key event in the business programme, bringing together 81 retail chains and 194 buyers in one place. Participants included Auchan, Magnit, O'key, Azbuka Vkusa, Real, Pyaterochka and other federal retailers. The specialised format of the Chain's Wholesale Centre™: Direct Import was organised to support foreign suppliers. It was attended by buyers from the foreign economic activity departments of the largest chains.

The open business programme included seminars and conferences where 80 experts from various segments of the food industry shared insights on topical issues: from production optimisation and business management to marketing and strategic planning.

For the first time, the exhibition hosted a meeting of the KATMENPRO Open Club, which brought together retail chain managers, suppliers, analysts and consultants. Participants discussed market trends, analysed practical cases of category management, growth tools and performance metrics, and actively exchanged experiences in an informal setting.

Of particular interest was the new retail interview format, ‘Chains Speak,’ which featured direct dialogue with top managers of the largest Russian federal chains. Representatives from Perekrestok, Lenta, Dobrotsen, Magnit, X5, Metro, Miratorg, Auchan, Pelikan and Chitai-Gorod shared their strategic plans and development priorities for their companies.

On 25 November, the first day of the exhibition, HoReCa Day was held under the title “Alignment with the leaders: concepts for profitable establishments”. The section was organised with the support of the Federation of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers and the company REAL, and brought together leading industry experts.

Speakers included Pavel Krupin, Restaurateur and Founder of the VLAVASHE street food project; Artem Neshatohin, Manager of the legendary Palkin restaurant; Evgenia Shandor, CEO of REAL; Yulia Zhdanova, Art director of the Oh My Brand branding agency; and Tatiana Abdubaeva, Director of Growth at STARTER restaurants. Participants discussed key trends in developing profitable concepts, approaches to positioning, visual design and scaling establishments in modern market conditions.

One of the highlights of the business programme was a special section for HoReCa representatives, organised in collaboration with the multidisciplinary training centre Liga Univer. The programme included an HR session for owners and managers of establishments, as well as practical master classes: the chef of the Tequila Boom restaurant demonstrated how to prepare Mexican appetisers, Gelios Biscotto held a master class on whoopee pies, and Tiger Tea and Crunch Cookies presented a lecture and tasting as part of the trend for premium cookies.

The traditional guest bar brought together bartenders from 15 iconic St. Petersburg establishments, including Commode Club, Privet Bar, Priyazhiy Peterburzhets, Parus Restaurant, Cube Bar, Unity Restaurant, Pier 28, Druzhba Gastropub, The Twill Bar, Terijoki restaurant, Tsunami restaurant, Sumbur Bar, Molot Vedem bar-museum, Midnight Cocktail Club, and Dr. Moro bar. Each establishment presented signature cocktails that reflect the unique style and atmosphere of St. Petersburg.

Four prestigious competitions were held as part of the exhibition: Our Brand, Innovative Product, Retail Chains’ Choice, and Products for a Healthy Lifestyle. In the Retail Chains’ Choice contest, 132 buyers from leading Russian retail chains participated in the voting process. For the other three competitions — Our Brand, Innovative Product, and Products for a Healthy Lifestyle — entries were evaluated by an expert jury chaired by a professor from the Faculty of Biotechnology at ITMO University, with additional participation from specialists at the Petersburg-Expertiza CKK Testing Laboratory and the Russian Register Certification and Registration Association.

The international food exhibition Peterfood continues to reinforce its reputation as the leading platform for advancing the food industry in Russia’s Northwest and strengthening international business ties. We sincerely thank all participants, partners, and guests for their contribution to the event’s success and invite you to join us at Peterfood 2026—together, we will open new horizons and opportunities for your business.