VICTAM International 2026 has reaffirmed its position as the leading global event for the feed, grain and processing industries, bringing 7,038 professionals from 127 countries to Utrecht for three days of technology launches, commercial meetings and sector‑wide knowledge exchange.
Held from 2–4 June at Jaarbeurs Utrecht, the event once again combined VICTAM International with GRAPAS Europe, creating a comprehensive platform for feed production, grain handling, flour milling, pet food, aquafeed and related processing sectors.
Organisers described the event as one defined by high‑quality business activity and strong international engagement. Exhibitors echoed this sentiment, with one company noting “an excellent platform to strengthen existing partnerships, establish new contacts and exchange ideas about current market developments and future projects.”
A Broad, International Audience — With Notable Eastern European Growth
Despite geopolitical instability in the Middle East, the event maintained a strong global turnout. A standout trend was the rise in visitors from Eastern Europe, who accounted for 10% of total attendance, signalling the region’s growing influence in feed and grain processing markets and its increasing appetite for new technologies and investment opportunities.
The exhibition floor brought together companies across the full value chain: feed production, grain storage, milling, ingredients, nutrition, biomass, automation, packaging, process control and more. Live demonstrations, technical discussions and international meetings created what exhibitors described as a “productive few days… with great discussions around feed milling, process efficiency and plant performance.”
A Conference Programme Where Science Meets Industry
A major pillar of the 2026 edition was its extensive conference and seminar programme, which blended scientific insight with practical industry knowledge.
IFTC 2026: Technology, Research and Future Priorities – The 3rd International Feed Technology Congress (IFTC), organised by the VICTAM Foundation and Wageningen University & Research, explored the theme “Animal Feed Technology: Science meets Industry.”
The congress examined how feed materials interact with processing technologies and how innovation can improve efficiency, sustainability and product quality.
Part 1 covered processing effects, pelleting decision support systems, extrusion, microbial protein, early detection methods, digital twin development and hammer mill performance. Part 2 shifted to strategic industry themes including autonomous feed‑mill control, decarbonisation of pet food drying, feed processing intensity, ingredient development and electrostatic separation. The congress concluded with a plenary discussion on technological priorities for the coming years.
Industry Sessions: Efficiency, Safety and Sustainability
The wider programme included several well‑attended industry sessions:
• Feed Milling Maximised, organised by Perendale Publishers, focused on core processing technologies and practical solutions for efficiency and sustainable production. ANDRITZ described the event as “shaped by conversations around efficiency, digitalization, and how producers are adapting to changing demands.”
• GMP+ International hosted a packed session on feed safety, sustainability and value‑chain cooperation. A key takeaway was that “progress does not require another new initiative, but alignment through shared standards, better data, greater transparency, less complexity and more collaboration.”
• The Circular Feed Symposium, organised by FEFAC, NEVEDI and BFA, explored circular raw materials, alternative proteins, regulatory developments and the role of innovation in future feed production.
Together, these sessions highlighted a sector increasingly focused on data, sustainability, automation and cross‑chain collaboration.
Technical Tour: Innovation in Practice
Beyond the exhibition halls, participants joined a technical tour to Feed Design Lab in Wanssum and Fransen Gerrits’ feed production facilities. At Feed Design Lab, visitors saw how research, training and test feed production come together in a pilot‑scale environment. The facility enables technological testing, demonstrations and trial feed production — a crucial step before new concepts are scaled commercially.
The tour then visited Fransen Gerrits, a long‑established Dutch feed company producing pig, cattle and goat feed. Delegates observed modern feed‑mill operations, product development processes and laboratory work. One participant described the tour as “highly valuable,” noting that it broadened his perspective on the industry.
Innovation Awards Highlight Sector Progress
Innovation was a defining theme across the exhibition floor, reflected in the AFTaN Feed Technology Awards and GRAPAS Innovation Awards, organised by Perendale Publishers. A total of 24 applications were submitted, demonstrating the breadth of technological development across feed, grain and milling sectors.
Award Winners
AFTaN Feed Technology Award:
• Tietjen Verfahrenstechnik GmbH — Large Hammer Mill FD 32 Pro
GRAPAS Innovation Award:
• STIF — Compact Flameless Device VIGIFLAM VI
Runners‑Up
• AFTaN:
• Ottevanger — Progress Monoroll Pellet Mill
• ZCME — SZLH1208 Ring‑Die Pellet Mill
• GRAPAS:
• Koch & Brook — 3DPro2300
Highly Commended
• AFTaN:
• dsm‑firmenich — Sustell
• FAMSUN — Unattended Pellet Mill Control System
• GRAPAS:
• Bühler — Nutrex 7 Series
• Librixer — Comminution Technology for Whole Grain Flour Processing
Shortlisted entries included innovations in measurement, automation, mixing, separation, and process optimisation — from GC‑MS odour reduction systems to new elevator bucket designs and advanced micro‑blending technologies.
The awards underscored the sector’s rapid progress in digitalisation, safety, sustainability and engineering.
VICTAM Africa Announced for 2028
A major strategic announcement during the event was the official launch of VICTAM Africa, to be held 13–15 June 2028 in Cape Town. Developed with AFMA and PFI, the new event aims to support the fast‑growing African feed, grain and milling sectors.
VICTAM General Manager Sebas van den Ende said the move was a “natural next step” for the organisation, noting that Africa “holds significant growth potential” and needs a dedicated platform where technology, investment and local expertise can converge.
Rabobank’s Corne de Louw provided further insights into Africa’s investment landscape, highlighting opportunities for international suppliers and local producers.
Looking Ahead: VICTAM International 2029 Moves to Amsterdam
Organisers confirmed that the next European flagship edition, VICTAM International 2029, will take place 13–15 June 2029 in Amsterdam. The move aims to enhance international accessibility and support the event’s continued growth.
“Amsterdam offers excellent international accessibility and a strong business environment,” said Sebas van den Ende. “By bringing VICTAM International to the capital, we want to make it even easier for our global audience to connect, do business and experience the innovations shaping the future of our industry.”
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