POLAGRA 2026 begins – see the Day 1 programme
The exhibition remains one of the most important elements of POLAGRA. It is at the stands that visitors can discover products, compare offers, see technologies in action and start direct conversations with manufacturers and suppliers. Today, however, the value of attending the trade fair is built by the entire ecosystem of the event – what happens at the stands, on stage, during B2B meetings, debates and direct conversations with experts.
The first day of POLAGRA clearly demonstrates this diversity. The programme includes events dedicated to exports, food security, innovation, AI, energy and the HoReCa sector. At the same time, dedicated spaces support international networking and help entrepreneurs address specific business challenges.
Africa Food & Trade Forum – new directions for cooperation
The first day of POLAGRA begins on an international note. From 9:00 AM, the Africa Food & Trade Forum brings together participants interested in developing economic relations between the Polish food sector and African markets.
The Forum connects representatives of public administration, trade-support institutions, manufacturers and representatives of African markets. The programme includes market presentations, discussions on food security and direct business meetings.
POLAGRA’s international dimension is further strengthened by the Hosted Buyers Program. Selected international buyers interested in specific product categories and establishing cooperation with manufacturers are coming to Poznań.
This is one of those areas of POLAGRA where a discussion about exports can quickly move from theory to a direct meeting with a potential business partner.
Ciao! POLAGRA – more than 70 Italian producers
The international character of this year’s edition is also clearly visible in the exhibition. One of its highlights is Ciao! POLAGRA – a dedicated area bringing together more than 70 producers from Italy. For buyers, importers, distributors and HoReCa professionals, it offers an opportunity to discover a broad range of Italian products, talk directly with producers and look for new products and business partners.
The exhibition is complemented by a programme of culinary demonstrations and professional tastings. The culinary programme is delivered by the Association of Italian Chefs in Poland (FIC Polonia). Its team of chefs will demonstrate the practical application of selected ingredients and products in menus designed for the HoReCa sector, with particular attention to their technological potential and efficiency.
The programme also features professional tasting panels and technical sessions led by Emiliano Castagna from the Italian Culinary Academy, the only certified taster in Poland across three key product categories: extra virgin olive oil, cured meats and cheeses. Based on products offered by selected exhibitors, the sessions will provide insights into sensory analysis, quality and the commercial and culinary potential of individual products.
Ciao! POLAGRA therefore combines product, experience and business – from meetings with more than 70 Italian producers, through culinary demonstrations and tastings, to discovering new products, inspiration and opportunities for commercial cooperation.
Business meetings over a good meal? Definitely at POLAGRA
The first day of the fair also offers opportunities to talk and build relationships in a less formal atmosphere. From 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM in the Lidl Polska zone, visitors can take part in Breakfast with Karol Okrasa, ambassador of Kuchnia Lidla.
Live cooking and original dishes prepared by Karol Okrasa will create a space where culinary experiences meet networking. It is an excellent opportunity to start the day at the fair with meetings, conversations and new business contacts.
The zone has been prepared by Lidl Polska - Main Partner of POLAGRA 2026, with dishes made using products available in Lidl stores.
Because at POLAGRA, business does not begin only at an exhibition stand or during a B2B meeting. Sometimes a good conversation simply starts around a shared table.
What drives industry growth?
At 11:00 AM on the Main Stage, the debate “Impulse for Innovation. What Drives Industry Growth?” will begin, moderated by Jacek Sadowski from Demo Power Brands.
The discussion will bring together representatives from different areas of the market: Maciej Ptaszyński from the Polish Chamber of Commerce, Tadeusz Mroczkowski – President of the Management Board of SM Mlekpol, Łukasz Przesmycki from Grupa Progres, Szymon Grunwald – Director of the Polish Vending Association, and Prof. Bartosz Sołowiec.
The diversity of perspectives will provide a broader view of innovation - not only through the lens of technology, but also new sales channels, skills, work organisation and changing business conditions.
Official opening of POLAGRA 2026
At 12:00 PM on the Main Stage, the official opening ceremony of the trade fair will take place. It will also include the presentation of the Gold Medals, Acanthus Aureus awards and POLAGRA awards.
This symbolic opening marks the beginning of three intensive days and provides an opportunity to recognise the products, exhibition stands, companies and partners contributing to this year’s edition.
Food security – a strategic issue for the economy
One of the key events of the first day will be the debate “Food Security in the Context of Current Global and Geopolitical Challenges”, starting at 1:00 PM and moderated by Olimpia Wolf.
The discussion will combine the perspectives of public administration, institutions responsible for security and strategic reserves, and business. Participants will include Małgorzata Gromadzka – Secretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Grzegorz Wrona – Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of State Assets, Agnieszka Bogucka – Director of the Food Reserves Department at the Government Strategic Reserves Agency (RARS), Marcin Roszczyk – President of Elewarr, Andrzej Szumowski from the Polish Chamber of Commerce, Wojciech Grohn – Member of the Management Board of Lidl Polska, Wojciech Zając – President of Polenergia, and a representative of the Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection (GIJHARS).
Food security increasingly connects issues related to production, access to raw materials, energy, logistics, trade and supply-chain resilience. For businesses, it is directly linked to business continuity, costs, risk management and development planning.
Business Development Centre – bring us a specific challenge
POLAGRA is not only about debates on the most important developments affecting the market. In Pavilion 8A, stand 2, visitors can find the Business Development Centre – a space offering free consultations with specialists, created for entrepreneurs looking for practical solutions for their companies.
Key areas include energy, financing, technology and AI, marketing, sales and management. Experts representing organisations including Polenergia, CRIDO, Dature, Demo Power Brands, NutreonX, Polska Grupa Biogazowa and the Polish Vending Association will share their expertise, alongside specialists in business development financing.
The formula is simple: bring a specific challenge, talk to a specialist and look for a solution that can be implemented in your company.
This means that the knowledge available at POLAGRA does not end on stage. It can lead to an individual conversation about a specific business, its costs, investments or further development.
AI in the food industry – where does automation end and responsibility begin?
Topics addressed at the Business Development Centre will also feature on the Main Stage. At 2:00 PM, the debate “The AI Agent Makes Decisions – Humans Are Responsible for Them. AI in the Food Industry”, moderated by Waldemar Skorupka, will begin.
The discussion will focus not only on the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence, but also on the responsibilities associated with its implementation. This perspective is particularly important for companies increasingly using data and automation to manage production, logistics and supply chains.
Energy costs that can determine your margins
Immediately after the AI debate, at 2:30 PM, Polenergia will host the presentation “The Highest Energy Cost Is the One You Don’t Expect. How Does Energy Affect Margins and Relationships with Retail Chains?”
The session will be led by Marta Porzuczek, Director of the Environmental Protection Department, and Jan Kożuchowski, Business Development Manager.
Energy will be presented not as a separate technical issue, but as a factor directly affecting operating costs, profitability, business predictability and relationships between producers and their customers.
POLAGRA HORECA – practical insights into the restaurant business
A separate and extensive programme for the first day has been prepared by POLAGRA HORECA by Paweł Gruba. GRUBE ROZMOWY LIVE is a series of discussions focused on challenges that directly affect the performance of hospitality businesses.
From 10:30 AM, restaurateurs, chefs, managers and experts will discuss restaurant profitability, changing guest expectations, team management and retention, building strong restaurant brands and the practical use of AI.
The programme is complemented by MASTERCLASS by POLAGRA HORECA – small-group workshops focused on developing skills that can be applied in everyday business operations. On the first day, topics include smartphone food photography, AI-powered automation, increasing sales without increasing advertising budgets, building your own AI assistant, and managing pressure and responsibility in the hospitality industry.
The programme is designed for people who come to POLAGRA not only for inspiration, but above all for knowledge that can be translated into sales, work organisation, guest experience and greater business efficiency.
Make the most of the first day
At 3:00 PM on the Main Stage, the Mistrzowie Smaku (Masters of Taste) awards ceremony, organised by Polska Press, will also take place.
The first day of POLAGRA demonstrates just how much can be gained from attending today’s trade fair. In a single day, visitors can meet potential business partners from Poland and abroad, discover new products and suppliers, talk to representatives of the retail sector and institutions, consult experts about specific business challenges, and gain knowledge about exports, technology, energy, management and the HoReCa sector.
It is precisely this combination of the exhibition, expert programme, B2B meetings and direct access to specialists that builds the business value of POLAGRA.