If you were not able to make it to Utrecht for the 25th Edition of VIV Europe this week – following is a recap of all the events and happenings at Utrecht this week. Savor the details.
UTRECHT, NETHERLANDS — The 25th edition of VIV Europe 2026, the premier quadrennial world trade show for the “Feed to Food” animal protein industry, successfully concluded its highly anticipated three-day run at the Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs Exhibition and Convention Centre and brought together the full breadth of the global animal protein industry at Jaarbeurs, Utrecht and now marks the opening of a new biannual chapter.
Co-located alongside VICTAM International 2026, the combined mega-event formed an extensive technological marketplace. It brought together international decision-makers across the poultry, egg, dairy, swine, and aquaculture supply chains to address severe geopolitical raw material risks, biosecurity threats, and carbon-reduction mandates.
Natalie Taylor, Project Manager of VIV Europe shares, “What started as a vision nearly five decades ago came to life once again in Utrecht — bigger, bolder, and more connected than ever. Under the theme ‘Showroom of the World,’ VIV Europe 2026 was exactly that: the place where the animal protein and agri-food industry came to see what’s next. New technologies were unveiled, new solutions were shared, and new connections were made that will continue to transform the industry for years to come. The energy and ambition on show proved that this industry has never been more inspired. It was more than a trade show, our 25th edition was a milestone moment, and we thank you for being part of it.”
Key Event Metrics & Attendee Profile
The event re-established its status as a vital international networking platform, drawing thousands of trade professionals despite a challenging global economic climate.
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Exhibitor Footprint: Over 600 exhibitors representing Europe, Asia, and the Middle East showcased new equipment, diagnostics, and nutritional chemistry across more than 52,000 square meters of gross exhibition space.
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Visitor Statistics: Approximately 25,000 elite trade professionals spanning over 136 countries attended. Crucially, final and co-decision makers comprised the majority of the B2B audience, driving high-value business matchmaking.
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Sectors Represented: The attendee base featured industrial feed mill operators, integrations, commercial poultry and livestock farmers, veterinarians, agricultural engineers, and geneticists.
Innovation Thread & Awards Focus
Under the guiding theme of shifting “From Science to Practical Solutions,” innovation ran continuously through the exhibition floors. Automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced animal welfare mechanisms took center stage.
While individual commercial booths celebrated localized product completions, the event focused closely on recognizing advancements in sustainable livestock technology:
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The AgriBITs Tech Showcases: Highlights included cutting-edge seminars showcasing AI-based digital twins of live poultry houses and automated, smart feed mill control systems designed to minimize tracking errors.
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Animal Welfare & Waste Mitigation: Heavy industry attention was drawn to patented physical equipment innovations, such as Giordano’s “Giò” feeder—engineered to maximize early chick feed access while reducing feed waste—and specialized insulated portable modular animal stables for harsh environments.
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Advanced Nutritional Bio-Availability: Companies like Biochem debuted their new Beta Trace organic mineral lines, capturing industry attention with patented trace element formulations approved for all livestock species.
Bilateral Agreements & Trade Deals
VIV Europe 2026 served as the launchpad for several highly significant international public-private partnerships, expanding Western European tech into emerging production markets.
1. The “Poultry Forward Kazakhstan” Program
The Dutch Poultry Centre (DPC) officially finalized the launch of the Partners International Business (PIB) program alongside agricultural delegates from Central Asia. The bilateral partnership secures long-term infrastructure contracts for Dutch automated hatchery providers and genetic suppliers to modernise commercial poultry housing blocks inside Kazakhstan.
2. Sub-Saharan Value Chain Networks
Coordinated by the Netherlands African Business Council (NABC), a series of commercial memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were executed under the Bridging Continents initiative. The agreements focus on deploying smart feed formulation technology and custom mill engineering directly to agricultural integrations in East and West Africa to mitigate regional raw soy volatility.
Seminars & Knowledge Tracks
The conference program featured contributions from premier academic bodies, financial institutions, and global authorities. Over 100 professional speakers addressed pressing structural shifts in global farming:
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Macroeconomics (Rabobank Update): The Rabobank flagship brief, “Hungry for What’s Next? The Future of Poultry & Eggs in a Changing World,” equipped executive teams with strategic pathways to manage grain grid volatility and geopolitical trade friction.
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Antimicrobial Stewardship (WVEPAH / FAO): Led by the World Veterinary Education in Production Animal Health and the United Nations FAO, clinical panels directly addressed the urgent requirement to curb antimicrobial usage. The sessions focused heavily on strict biosecurity and alternative phytogenic solutions.
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Dairy Horizon 2030: Hosted by Global Dairy Farmers (GDF), international farm managers explored data-driven decision-making systems using telemetry networks to counter heat stress and rising production costs.
