ProFood ProPack & AgBiz 2026 concluded successfully at BMICH, attracting nearly 30,000 visitors and bringing together businesses, entrepreneurs, professionals and industry stakeholders from Sri Lanka and overseas.
ProFood ProPack & AgBiz 2026 strengthens Sri Lanka’s food and agriculture industry platform
Held from 21 August 2026 over three days, the 23rd edition of the exhibition provided a major platform for companies and professionals across the food processing, packaging and agriculture sectors to showcase products, explore technologies, exchange knowledge and develop new business relationships.
Organised by the Sri Lanka Food Processors Association (SLFPA) in collaboration with professional exhibition organiser Lanka Exhibition & Conference Services (Pvt) Ltd (LECS), the event occupied six exhibition halls and featured nearly 450 stalls. International participation included nearly 30 overseas exhibitors, adding a broader regional and global dimension to the event.
The opening ceremony was attended by Sunil Handuneththi, Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, and Thilaka Jayasudara, Secretary to the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development. The event was endorsed by the Ministry of Industries, highlighting its role in supporting industrial development, entrepreneurship and business activity in Sri Lanka.
A key feature of ProFood ProPack & AgBiz 2026 was its focus on innovation and knowledge sharing. The Innovation Pavilion brought together 14 government and private-sector universities, giving them an opportunity to present research, technologies and innovations relevant to food processing and related industries.
The Institute of Food Science and Technology Sri Lanka (IFSTSL) also organised an industry seminar and activities aimed at university undergraduates. The programme was designed to strengthen connections between academia and industry while exposing students to developments and career opportunities within the sector.
Talent development was another important element of this year’s exhibition. SLFPA introduced SLFPA Career Connect, an industry-focused initiative designed to connect employers with interns, graduates and young professionals seeking opportunities in the food industry.
Aruna Senanayake, President of the Sri Lanka Food Processors Association, emphasised the importance of developing the right skills and connecting young talent with suitable opportunities. The Career Connect platform was officially launched by Minister Sunil Handuneththi, who attended as Chief Guest.
The exhibition also placed considerable emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises. The SME Pavilion, organised by the Ministry of Industries, provided emerging businesses with additional visibility and an opportunity to engage directly with prospective customers, partners and other industry stakeholders.
Knowledge development was supported through the Knowledge Circle Industry Seminar, which brought industry professionals together to share expertise and practical insights. The organisers also expanded the Knowledge Hub this year by introducing an Industry Help Desk, providing new entrepreneurs with a point of contact for guidance on business and industry opportunities.
For the Sri Lanka food industry, such platforms have become increasingly important as companies seek to improve productivity, adopt new technologies and strengthen their competitiveness. Bringing manufacturers, technology providers, researchers, entrepreneurs and buyers together in one venue can also encourage collaboration across different parts of the value chain.
The exhibition’s focus extended beyond commercial activity to consumer engagement. A Home Cooking Challenge was introduced to showcase culinary creativity and demonstrate the versatility of products displayed by participating companies. The attraction added a consumer-oriented dimension to an event primarily focused on business and industry.
The scale of ProFood ProPack & AgBiz 2026 also reflected the breadth of the sectors represented. Food processing, packaging, agricultural products, machinery, automation and related technologies were brought together under one platform, allowing visitors to examine solutions across multiple stages of the production and supply chain.
The event received support from a broad group of industry partners. Platinum sponsors included Cargills Ceylon PLC, Multivac Laraon India (Pvt) Ltd, Maliban Biscuit Manufactories (Pvt) Ltd, Nikini Automation Systems and Pakona Engineers India (Pvt) Ltd. Gold sponsors were Aussee Oats Milling (Pvt) Ltd, Freelan Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd and Nestlé Lanka Ltd.
A further group of companies supported the exhibition as Silver Sponsors, representing businesses involved in food manufacturing, agriculture, engineering, automation, technology, dairy, processing and related services.
The strong response from exhibitors and visitors has prompted organisers to plan an expanded venue for next year’s exhibition. The proposed expansion is expected to create additional space for exhibitors while allowing more businesses and visitors to participate.
Now in its 23rd edition, the food processing exhibition has established itself as a long-running platform for business development and industry engagement. Its continued expansion reflects the importance of food, beverage, packaging and agriculture-related industries to Sri Lanka’s wider industrial ecosystem.
The organisers, led by ProFood ProPack & AgBiz 2026 Organising Committee Co-Chairmen Nadishan Guruge and Sameera Jayathilake, extended their appreciation to exhibitors, sponsors, government institutions, universities, professional bodies, industry partners, media organisations, visitors and other stakeholders.
With nearly 30,000 visitors attending this year’s edition, the exhibition demonstrated sustained interest in technology, innovation and commercial opportunities across the sector. Its continued development could provide an increasingly important platform for Sri Lankan businesses seeking to strengthen market connections, adopt new technologies and compete in a changing regional food and manufacturing landscape.