Press Information
A thriving edition in Vienna, Austria that is here to stay
With the highest quality visitors than ever before, Free From Specialty Food & Wine Expo 2025 was the most successful edition in its history. Its growth mirrors the trend for free from, healthy, and specialty food—which continues to thrive right across Mid- and Central Europe. This twelfth edition in Vienna featured more than 250 producers from 31 countries around the globe, including Hungary, Italy, Bulgaria, Algeria, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. It attracted more than 4,200 buyers—up by 15% on the previous edition.
Producers included: Pangea, Hammermühle GmbH, Frigo Hasso, Döhler, Landgarten, Crust & Crumb, Panceliac, Bross, Nebrodi, Boublenza, Trouw, Smaakspecialist, Borges, Blauver, BiOrganic, Biopont, Venturoli, Bio Austria, Balviten, Őlmühle Fandler, Erbacher, Meurens Natural, ATS Sicilian, Anjuna Ice Pops, Angrain, Alpdrinks, Amurex, McLloyds, Corn & Joy, Il Buon Gourmet, Karnobatplod, Goodmills, and Bfree Foods.
Healthy Innovation at its Best
In an exciting, dynamic, and growing sector for the Mid- and Eastern European markets, Free From Specialty Food excelled for the first time in this part of Europe, showcasing the best new free from food and drink products, ingredients, premium, and wine products. Vienna, located strategically, is also the best platform for connecting top buyers with the right suppliers in the heart of Europe. Products on show this year included: lactose-free cheese, organic tea, free from noodles, vegan crackers, gluten- and sugar-free mayonnaise, ancient grain flour, gluten-free ready meals, natural honey, and natural supplements. More than 65 industry experts were also part of the line-up in the two conference theatres—highlighting the trends, market developments, challenges, and opportunities in this fast-developing Mid-European market.
And the Winner Is...
This year's Free From Specialty Food Innovation Awards saw the introduction of a Most Healthy Free From Product Award—won by the Austrian company Pure Bio, with runner-ups: Seven Dates and VitalyV from Italy. Cambodian brands She Mango and Confirel celebrated winning Newcomer of the Year for their range of natural palm sugar and specialty tea, with runner-ups Angrain and Nectar d’Olive from Algeria. Balevski & Kirov scooped Product of the Year for its Hagebutten Natural, with runner-ups Polcz Food offering a ready-made, tasty gluten-free meal, and Italian RV Venturoli. The Best New Brand Award was taken home by the Slovakian company McLloyd’s, with runner-up Eliya’s Lean & Clean. Jakub Minárik from McLloyd’s said: "We are proud and delighted with the recognition of our unique gluten-free snack product for kids in such an exciting and innovative industry."
McLloyd’s – Best Brand of the Year
Producers and manufacturers said that Free From Specialty Food 2025 delivered for them—with more than 41% already signed up for the thirteenth edition in Austria in 2026. Free From Specialty Food & Wine Expo will be back in 2026—in Vienna, Austria, on June 16 and June 17.
Exhibitor Reactions
Simone Schellekens of Rosies / Nenco Foods said: "The results exceeded our expectations here in Vienna. Once again we came away with very good leads – big retail showed up at our stand and we seriously consider signing up for Vienna next year."
Zuzana Bodzarova from McLloyd’s said: "We have attended the show for the first time—and it did not disappoint. We were very happy with the results of our exhibit and we look forward to building on that—and returning in 2026."
Florian Hoerath from Hammermühle said: "The show was very successful for us. Certainly one of the best we ever attended as exhibitors! The quality of retail was amazing. The big players were all here. The location was also great for us as we are based in Germany, so it was great to meet new people from Mid-European markets. We already signed up for the 2026 edition."
Ronald Holman, Event Director since 2012, said: "The success of this year's trade event in Vienna reflects the incredible growth in this sector in the Mid and Eastern part of Europe. There is no better place for producers to showcase their innovations, and no better place for buyers to discover them than at this geographically central location of Vienna—so close to Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland. This year's event has outshone the rest."
For further press information and images,
please contact:
Irene Kouriantaki
E: irene@freefromfoodexpo.com or
E: sushant@freefromfoodexpo.com
T: +30 6936 116 751
T: +31 646 352 188
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