We are thrilled to announce that Importaco Nuts will be exhibiting at Fi Europe 2026, held at Messe Frankfurt from 17-19 November. Come and visit us in Hall 4.1, Stand 41G34, where we’ll be showcasing our premium nuts, derivative ingredients and the latest innovations for food and beverage manufacturers.
This year’s event is set to draw over 27,000 professionals, bringing together key decision-makers across procurement, R&D, innovation and production. A major focal point of the programme will be the industry trends actively reshaping F&B product development today.
Nut-Based solutions driving NPD in the food industry
At Importaco Nuts, we deliver bespoke ingredients tailored to the specific demands of the food industry. While our core expertise lies in almonds and peanuts, our diverse portfolio also encompasses pistachios and cashews.
By carefully blending different origins, formats and processing techniques, we ensure every ingredient is perfectly matched to its end application. From whole and diced nuts to flours and pastes, our range allows manufacturers to fine-tune texture, viscosity, crunch, particle size and roast profile. The result? Tailor-made solutions ideal for chocolate, snacks, bakery, confectionery, ice cream, cereals and plant-based alternatives.
Fi Europe presents the perfect platform to share these capabilities directly with R&D and NPD teams, particularly at a time when nuts are cementing their role as a powerhouse industrial ingredient.
Four key trends shaping innovation at Fi Europe 2026
A glance at this year’s agenda reveals several critical focus areas for new product development. Across the Innovation Awards, Innovation Tours, the Innovation Hub and the wider conference programme, four clear priorities emerge: nutrition, plant-based alternatives, reformulation and sustainability.
1. Functional nutrition and nutrient-dense formulations
Health and wellness will undoubtedly take centre stage. The conference specifically tackles the development of nutrient-dense foods and high-protein formulations, alongside personalised nutrition, metabolic health and gut wellness.
Nuts are incredibly versatile assets for these developments, functioning brilliantly as a core ingredient, inclusion or topping.
Almonds, peanuts and pistachios, for instance, are easily incorporated into snack bars, functional foods, cereals and sports nutrition lines. Not only do they deliver a powerful boost of plant-based protein, fibre and healthy fats, but they also elevate the final texture and flavour.
Recommended reading | Report ‘2026 Trends in Nut-Based Product Development’ by Importaco Nuts, in partnership with Food Republik & Food Scouting.
2. Plant-based and dairy alternatives
Fi Europe continues to champion innovation in the plant-based, alternative protein and dairy-free spaces, offering a clear nod to the sector’s enduring momentum.
Here, nut derivatives really come into their own. Pastes made from almonds, cashews, peanuts and pistachios provide essential body, creaminess and depth of flavour to dairy-free formulations, including plant-based milks, desserts, ice creams and fillings.
Crucially, they solve complex functional challenges: plant-based beverages, for example, rely on ingredients that can guarantee creaminess, stability and a rounded sensory profile. Over in the bakery sector, almond flour is frequently blended with other ingredients to dramatically enhance the crumb and texture of gluten-free bakes.
Keep learning: | Innovative solutions with nuts: driving product development in the gluten-free food industry and dairy alternatives
3. Reformulation and clean label
Reformulation takes a prominent spot on the Fi Europe 2026 Innovation Tours, sitting firmly alongside health & wellness, as well as novel ingredients.
For manufacturers, the goal is often finding multi-tasking ingredients that simplify the label. Nuts are the ultimate dual-purpose ingredient, offering both sensory appeal and functional benefits. Consider the following:
- An almond paste can act as a natural thickener and binder for fillings and sauces.
- Nut flours can expertly modify texture and mouthfeel.
- Diced nuts provide instant crunch and visual appeal without the need for complex, artificial additives.
4. Sustainability and supply chain resilience
Unsurprisingly, the Innovation Hub will dedicate substantial time to sustainability strategies and supply chain resilience. High on the agenda are climate change, vulnerable raw materials, traceability, regionalisation and the shift towards alternative ingredients..
Recommended reading: Importaco Terra: Caring for every step, from farm to professional client
Furthermore, the 2026 edition will shine a spotlight on upcycling and circularity, showcasing ingredients and business models designed to minimise waste and maximise resource efficiency.
Within the nut sector, this trend is directly linked to sourcing, traceability and supply security. By maintaining complete control of our supply chain, from the orchard to the processing facility, we gain unparalleled insight into our raw materials.
As a result, we can tailor specific varieties and processing methods to meet exact industrial requirements. For manufacturers who rely heavily on almonds or peanuts, partnering with a fully integrated supplier is essential for minimising risk and guaranteeing batch-to-batch consistency.