The Global Dairy Congress returns for its 19th annual event this year, taking place from 17-18 June at the luxurious InterContinental Barcelona, Spain. A high-level forum for senior leaders within the dairy industry, the Congress will offer insight-packed conference sessions and extensive networking opportunities, as well as a visit to a leading dairy facility. Read on to discover what you can expect from this year’s event.

Amid shifting market dynamics and broader geopolitical uncertainties, it is vital that players within the global dairy industry stay ahead of the curve, keeping informed about the biggest opportunities and challenges currently facing businesses operating in this dynamic sector.

Around 80-120 senior-level professionals gather at the event each year, including leading manufacturers, suppliers, innovators, customers and advisors, joining from across the globe.

The Global Dairy Congress brings together global industry leaders to review the latest developments, discuss key issues and formulate future strategies, with a focus on markets, brands, consumers and innovation.

This is reflected in its ‘Fit for Purpose’ theme for 2026, which emphasises health and functionality in the context of technological and climate disruption.

Speakers at this year’s Global Dairy Congress will take a deep dive into pressing topics such as tariffs and pricing changes, health and sustainability, technological advances and powerful marketing strategies.

Health and wellbeing remain a prominent focus this year, with sessions planned around new opportunities in active nutrition, innovating for healthy ageing, and the booming women’s health market.

Another notable area of discussion in this area will be the rise of GLP-1 medications for weight management and how this is reshaping dairy product development, with essential nutrients like protein and fibre under the spotlight as consumer focus shifts to food quality over quantity.

Meanwhile, policy and regulation continue to drive discussion, as well as sustainability initiatives and how the industry can embrace the use of modern technologies – such as precision fermentation – to create a healthier and greener planet.

Expert speakers will join from major international players in dairy, including:

• Bel

• Circana

• Expana

• Fonterra

• Four Leaves

• FrieslandCampina

• Helaina

• Indapur

• Meiji

• Mengniu Dairy

• Morinaga Milk Industry

• Nestlé

• Opalia

• PlanetDairy

• Rabobank

• Roquette

• Vinamilk

• Vivici

• Yili

“FoodBev Events (formerly Zenith Global) hold the best organised industry events. The Global Dairy Congress always offers great and timely content from the industry's top decision makers. It follows that the networking opportunities are also of the highest level.”

Richard Walton, Meiji

Elsewhere, FoodBev Awards will present the winners of the World Dairy Innovation Awards during the event, with winners celebrated on-stage at the end of the event’s first day on Wednesday 17 June. 

Find out more information and register for this year’s conference, please visit the FoodBev Events website here.