With aromas of almond and bergamot filling the air in Stuttgart, südback 2026 is getting ready to deliver a vibrant celebration of European craft baking, modern dough-making techniques, and authentic Italian baking traditions.

Taking place at Messe Stuttgart from 24 to 27 October 2026, südback stands as one of Europe’s premier trade fairs for the bakery and confectionery sectors. This year, the event will gather approximately 560 exhibitors across 60,000 square metres of exhibition space, offering visitors live demonstrations, cutting-edge machinery, and hands-on operational insight.

Elevating the confectionery craft with Mediterranean flavours

Central to this year’s program is a strong focus on high-end confectionery art combined with Italian culinary influences. At the Confectionery Trend Forum (Hall 7), master artisans will highlight creative techniques, modern snack concepts, and specialty chocolate and coffee pairings.

The forum will also host the 16th Carlo Wildt Cup under the theme “The Magic of Craftsmanship,” where young confectioners will demonstrate their technical skills, precision, and flavour balancing in live competitive conditions.

Pizza making meets advanced baking tech

Beyond fine pastries, südback 2026 is putting a spot on the art and science of authentic Italian pizza. In partnership with the Association of Italian Pizzerias (API) and Molino Iaquone, the live Pizza Area (Hall 9) will put modern long-fermentation dough techniques and state-of-the-art oven technologies to the test.

Visitors can observe live cooking demonstrations that demonstrate how temperature precision, humidity control, and flour selection combine to create high-quality, digestable crusts — providing actionable ideas for bakeries and food-to-go operators looking to expand their snack menus.

Hands-on trends, coffee culture, and industry awards

Alongside pastry and pizza, the 2026 show features several dedicated experience hubs designed to boost everyday operational success:

• Bakers’ Trend Forum (Hall 8): practical baking demonstrations, innovative recipes, and sales strategy insights led by leading baking academies and vocational schools.
• Barista School & Roastery Village (Halls 5 & 8): intensive 90-minute crash courses covering portafilter customisation, espresso extraction, and artisanal coffee roasts to help bakeries maximise their hot beverage revenues.
• südback Trend Award: celebrating pioneering developments across technology, raw materials, sales, and sustainability, with official presentations during the opening ceremony on 24 October.

Whether exploring new dough-processing systems, sourcing premium ingredients, or adopting Mediterranean snack concepts, visitors to südback 2026 can expect a comprehensive line-up designed to inspire and drive commercial growth.