SIAL China 2027 — International Food & Beverage Fair
📍 Shanghai, Shanghai — Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC)
📅 18 May 2027 – 20 May 2027
Official fair website ↗Updated on 17 Jul 2026 · ⏱ 3 min read
About this fair
Asia’s largest food-innovation trade fair returns to the Shanghai New International Expo Centre from 18 to 20 May 2027. With more than 5,000 exhibitors from 75 countries and over 180,000 professional visitors from 110 nations announced for the event, SIAL China is one of Asia’s key showcases for imported food and a major meeting point between buyers and food-industry companies in China. Its commercial value is especially strong for brands studying distribution and market entry in China rather than simply looking for low-cost OEM manufacturing.
Most in-demand products
Imported food, beverages and wine, dairy, meat and seafood, snacks and confectionery, functional ingredients, food packaging and processing machinery.
Sources and verification
Is this trade fair worth visiting?
✓ Yes
Yes, especially if you source Food & Beverages, want to compare samples in person or negotiate with several manufacturers in a few days.
— Not necessarily
Probably not if your product belongs to a different sector than Food & Beverages, you already have verified suppliers and only need repeat orders, or the potential volume does not justify the trip.
Tips for visitors
SIAL China is particularly powerful for European brands seeking entry into China’s import market: the visitor profile includes Chinese distributors and importers, not only manufacturers. That makes it complementary to factory-sourcing fairs such as Canton Fair rather than a substitute for them.
Registration & entry
Admission is free for professional visitors who register online on the official website (sialchina.com) before travelling. Bring the registration confirmation, passport and business card to collect your badge.
The fair is exclusively B2B; general public and visitors under 18 are not admitted.
Visa: Spain and Portugal currently benefit from China's visa-free policy for short stays — check the rules in force before booking.
How to get there
Metro: Longyang Road station (Lines 2 and 7) is around 10 minutes from SNIEC by taxi or roughly 20 minutes on foot. Huamu Road station on Line 7 is another useful access point depending on the hall and shuttle arrangements.
From Pudong Airport (PVG): about 20–30 minutes by taxi or DiDi; there is no simple direct metro ride straight into the exhibition halls.
From central Shanghai and Hongqiao: taxi or DiDi is often the easiest option; metro journeys may involve a transfer or additional walking/shuttle depending on your starting point.
Where to stay near the fair
A well-known option in the SNIEC hotel cluster, frequently used by repeat exhibition visitors in Pudong.
Another upscale option with convenient access to the exhibition centre and consistently solid reviews.
A more affordable option with practical access to the venue and generally consistent guest feedback.
They are two different exhibition centres: SNIEC is in Pudong on the east side of Shanghai, while NECC is in Hongqiao on the west side. Do not confuse them when booking a hotel. When booking on Trip.com, our code TLSX3O helps us keep this directory free.
Frequently asked questions
When is SIAL China 2027?
18–20 May 2027 at Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) in Pudong. It is Asia's largest food-innovation fair, with more than 5,000 exhibitors from 75 countries and over 180,000 professional visitors from 110 nations.
SIAL China or the Canton Fair for food sourcing?
They offer complementary perspectives. Canton Fair Phase 3 is stronger for sourcing finished products in bulk from Chinese factories; SIAL China is stronger for importing finished food into the Chinese market and discovering global trends and functional ingredients. If you sell in Europe, prioritise the Canton Fair; if you want to export to China, prioritise SIAL.
What types of products are exhibited?
The full food spectrum: imported food, beverages and wine, dairy, meat and seafood, snacks, functional ingredients, food packaging and processing machinery. In 2027 it again collaborates with TuttoPizza from Naples.
How do I get to SNIEC?
SNIEC is in Pudong: taxi or DiDi from Pudong Airport takes about 25 minutes; Metro Line 2 or Line 7 can be combined with the appropriate final connection to the venue.
How much is admission?
Professional visitor registration is free online. Register before travelling at sialchina.com with your passport and company card/details.
Location and what's nearby
Quick guide to Shanghai
What to see
The Bund
Riverside promenade with views of the Pudong skyline
Shanghai Tower / Oriental Pearl Tower
Iconic Pudong observation decks
Yu Garden
Classical Chinese garden in the old town
Nanjing Road
The city's main pedestrian shopping street
Getting around
Shanghai has one of the world's largest metro networks. SNIEC is mainly served via Longyang Road/Huamu Road and NECC via East Xujing/National Exhibition and Convention Center, depending on the entrance. The Maglev links Pudong Airport with Longyang Road in about eight minutes; continue from there by metro or taxi.
On local networks in mainland China, some international services may be restricted or unavailable. If you rely on them for work, prepare a connectivity solution that complies with current rules before travelling and do not depend on a single app. Hong Kong operates under a different internet regime.
Most used apps
Before your trip
How I can help you with this fair
Going to visit this fair? I'll support you in supplier negotiations, act as your interpreter, and handle upfront verification so you don't go in blind.
Related fairs
ProWine Shanghai 2026 — 2026th Edition
Shanghai · Shanghai
10 Nov 2026 – 12 Nov 2026
CIIE 2026 — China International Import Expo — 9th Edition
Shanghai · Shanghai
5 Nov 2026 – 10 Nov 2026
CBB 2026 — China Brew China Beverage — 2026th Edition
Shanghai · Shanghai
12 Oct 2026 – 15 Oct 2026
SIAL China — International Food and Beverage Fair
Shanghai · Shanghai
18 May 2026 – 20 May 2026
