WorldFood 2025 Unites Key Food Industry Segments Including USA Rice

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – The 33rd International Food Products and Technologies Fair, WorldFood Istanbul, took place here earlier this month, showcasing the latest innovations and trends in the global food industry.  This year’s event broke previous attendance records – attracting more than 79,000 visitors from 153 countries and featuring 1,345 exhibitors from 40 countries – reinforcing its position as a major tradeshow not only within Turkey but also attracting visitors from other Middle Eastern countries as well as Africa.
 
USA Rice participated with a booth for the first time since 2018, displaying rice samples, distributing supplier lists, and highlighting the high quality and suitability of U.S. rice to local consumer needs.  Overall, participation at WorldFood 2025 generated more than 40 trade leads which have been shared with USA Rice members for further follow up.
 
A special highlight during the show was a live workshop by Chef Emrah Fandaklı, who prepared healthy summer salads featuring USA rice.  Guests at the USA Rice booth were invited to taste the dishes, creating an interactive and memorable experience.

“It was great to see such strong interest in U.S. rice among traders from Turkey, but also other countries in the region,” said Eszter Somogyi, USA Rice director for Europe, Middle East and Africa.   “As there is a strong demand for high quality rice varieties in these markets, especially in the period leading up to Ramadan in early 2026, this can provide a great opportunity for increased U.S. rice sales in the region.”