Discover the food industry novelties and experience new tastes at the anniversary trade fair Riga Food 2025

Ķīpsala International Expo Centre will host the largest Baltic food industry trade fair Riga Food 2025, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, on 4-6 September. Trade fair will provide insight into new food products, serve as an efficient platform for business interactions, and offer opportunity to experience unique flavours, as well as attending dozens of exciting events. This year’s event will offer unprecedentedly wide array of events: competitions for chefs, bartenders, waiters and waitresses, tea masters, cake competition, barbecue chefs’ competition, new product presentations, and also informative discussions.

More than 420 exhibitors from at least 30 countries have chosen the trade fair to present their newest innovations, technologies and developments in the production and processing of food products and beverages. There will be 16 national stands from 13 countries: Albania, Azerbaijan, Greece, India, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.

“Riga Food is much more than food fair. It is a place where you get access to newest food industry trends and innovations, so companies from around the world can discuss new partnerships and make deals. As we can see, more and more foreign companies are keen to build on what Riga Food offers to increase their presence in our region. We celebrate 30 years since first trade fair this year. I want to thank our loyal exhibitors and long-term partners for making it what it is. I hope everyone attending the fair will not only enjoy new flavours, but will also help us to move the food industry forward,” Rolands Nežborts, Director of Riga Food, says.

Latvian flavours
Anniversary trade fair will offer the largest and most diverse exhibition space from Latvian companies at the national stand. Dairy and meat products, sweets, spices, eggs, tinned products, jams and many other tasty food products will be presented by 21 local company: “Alūksnes putnu ferma”, Balticovo, Daugulis & Partneri, “Jaunpils pienotava”, Mosenc coffee, Snack and More, Kronis Food, “Kurzemes gaļsaimnieks”, “Rāmkalni”, “Valežs”, Very Berry, 525 Food Production. Members of the Latvian Bakers Association will showcase the breathtaking variety of Latvian baked product market. Bakery DONA, “LĀČI”, “Liepkalni”, “Maiznīca Priekule”, ’’Ķelmēni”, “Lielezers”, Puratos Latvia, Pūre and Lanordija will contribute to this diversity. Latvian national stand is coordinated by the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics and supported by the Ministry of Agriculture. Meanwhile Fisheries Sector stand will present the leading products from Latvian fishing industry.

Tasty treats from Latvian regions
Each region of Latvia is special with its unique story and heritage cuisine that visitors will be able to appreciate in all of its richness in the pavilion dedicated to Latvia. They will be able to immerse in the culinary world of Southern Kurzeme, Ventspils region, Rēzekne region, Mārupe region and many other Latvian places. This year Regional Flavour stand will continue the tradition of offering an opportunity to explore and taste the products that have ranked the highest in the Regional Flavour competition, like the last year.

Food industry innovations
Riga Food is the place where to learn more about food industry innovations. This year’s most forward-oriented innovations will be presented in the Latvian pavilion, next to the Main Stage – to attract more visitors to the display. Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian innovation stands will offer to experience the newest products, technologies and innovative approaches developed by companies and scientists. Anyone will be able to experience freeze dried honey cake from “Ozolu bites”, “Tēviņkalna wines” and their unorthodox manufacturing techniques, calming and energy-inducing mushrooms from New Earth, Spora Lab bearded hedgehog, which positively influences energy levels of people, and many other interesting products. Everyone is welcome to taste these new flavours and give feedback, thus contributing to further improvements in these products. Innovation stand is operated by Latvian Technological Centre and supported by Enterprise Europe Network (EEN).

Latvian BBQ Championship
This will be the first ever Latvian BBQ championship for the best chefs. Finals of the Latvian BBQ Championship will take place at the Ķīpsala Expo Centre on 4-5 September. 8 grill masters will compete for the title of the best BBQ chef. Preliminary rounds will be conducted all summer, leading up to trade fair date. “Go through your favourite marinade recipes and join the competition for the best Latvian BBQ chef. Grills, charcoal and products, or everything you need for barbecuing, will be provided by us, the competition organisers and partners” One of the competition organiser, Pipars, or Rojs Puķe, invites. Championship is organised by Grils.lv professional grilling portal, Grilētāju brālība/BBQ brotherhood” and GrillHouse shop.

Competitions for chefs and apprentice chefs
Chefs from all over Latvia will gather in Ķīpsala on 5 September when, during Riga Food 2025, they will put their cooking skills to test to win the title of the Best Latvian Chef 2025 and Best Latvian Apprentice Chef 2025. And, on 6th of September, best Latvian chefs will compete for the right to represent Latvia at the semi-finals of the world’s most prestigious cooking competition Bocuse d’Or. Zero Waste Challenge 2025 for teams from Baltic vocational education and training establishments will also take place on 4 September, encouraging young chefs to focus on both the taste qualities of food and generating as little food waste and food loss.

Competitions for pastry chefs, bartenders, waiters, waitresses and tea masters
For the second time ever, on 5 September, to promote the pastry chef’s profession and industry, the most talented pastry chefs and cooks will compete for the travelling Lavazza Golden Cup of the 2025 Latvian Restaurant Pastry Chef Competition. Meanwhile, Monin Cup Latvia 2025 will take the centre stage on 4 September, on the Gemoss stage. Hospitality Star 2025 will be held on 5 September, and visitors’ favourite cake competition Generational Legacy will take place on the third day of the fair, showcasing the most exciting cakes created by Latvian cake makers. Tea masters competition – Baltic Tea Cup, which has been absent from food festival for a longer while – will return to Main Stage of the Riga Food on 6 September.

Insightful discussions on the Main Stage
This year’s Riga Food will offer valuable discussions for both professionals and foodies. Main Stage will offer discussions about current trends that shape the today and tomorrow of the food industry. On 4 September, Latvian Food Retailers Association will organise a special discussion for Latvian producers, but not only, titled “What is consumer’s hand reaching for? Or impact of modern retail chains on supply chain”. Whereas Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies will host the discussion From soil to table: food industry challenges today and tomorrow, which will focus on sustainable food manufacturing challenges.
On 5 September, discussions on the Main Stage will be opened by Science and innovations: future of crisis meals in Latvia where experts will explain how food innovations work. Latvian Bread Makers’ Association and Zvaigzne ABC publishing house will offer discussion No revolution without bread, which will look at the social impact of bread and how it should be on every healthy person’s menu. HoReCa professionals will share their zero food waste approaches during discussion “From inspiration to experience”, organised by Association “Zaļā brīvība/Green Freedom” and Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre. Give food a second chance is a discussion that will take place on the Friday afternoon, offering all participants an opportunity to witness cooking masterclass on food waste. There will be tasting, as well.
EIT Food Challenge Labs: From Healthy Soil to Healthy Lives poster presentations and expert discussion Food system transformation starts with a change of mindset: how and why we innovate on 6 September is expected to draw in large crowds.

Opening ceremony of Riga Food 2025 will take place on the Main Stage of Pavilion 2 on 4 September at 11.00, followed by the special appreciation event for long-term partners of Riga Food, marking the 30 years of the trade fair. Detailed programme of Riga Food 2025 events available here: https://ej.uz/RF25_pasakumi

Riga Food is organised by BT1 International Expo Company. www.bt1.lv

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Opening hours:
4–5 September: 10:00–18:00
6 September: 10:00–17:00

Entrance fees:
Adults: €8
Disabled: €6
Family ticket (2 adults +1 child aged 7-18): €17
(+ €2 for every next child)
Free entrance for children under 7
Ticket presales for cheaper prices: www.bt1.lv/rigafood/buytickets.php