Natexpo 2024: The organic sector meets in Lyon

Since 2018, Natexpo has been organised every two years (even-numbered years) in Lyon, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. This is no coincidence as it has been France’s leading region in numbers of organic processors and third in terms of organic production. Lyon is a dynamic and attractive regional capital also close to European markets, making it the ideal place to host this event.

Natexpo 2024, taking place on 23-24 September, will offer the opportunity to discover local companies, illustrating the region’s vitality and innovative flair.

A revamped programme of plenary talks and content themes

For its 2024 show, Natexpo is taking a fresh new perspective to offer ever more efficient responses to key issues facing the organic sector. Natexbio invites you to the “Stage” (La Scène) for two days of discussions with economic and political decision makers. Designed as the show’s nerve centre, the forum is reserved for thematically relevant plenaries and themes. Local market players, institutional representatives, retailers, producers, processors and political figures will discuss and debate the sector’s trends and challenges.

This edition will cover several themes, including our environment, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), commercial and out-of-home foodservices, consumer trends and market changes, and communication trends. Talks followed by debates will bring together political and institutional leaders and organic companies covering their priorities and business challenges.

Bio Linéaires and its experts will take their annual residency in the Organic Trends Forum, addressing the hottest topics for organic shops: new generations of organic brands, how to recover after the crisis, French and Belgian distribution, and consumption… The full programme is available on natexpo.com

Retail: Turnout from all links in the chain

The entire supply chain will be present, meeting up and exchanging views and experiences, making Natexpo a must-be in the organic calendar.

In the Institutionals Village, you will be able to meet the representatives of the trade associations making up Natexbio: Cosmebio, Forebio, Synabio, Synadiet and Synadis Bio as well as La Maison de la Bio and Agence Bio. In a brand-new development, the Organic Retailers Village is making its debut under the auspices of Synadis Bio. The main chains from specialist retail will be there to showcase their commitments.

Independent retailers will also be present. This year Natexpo is launching the operation Local Shops, a tailored programme to help independent shop owners get the most out of their exhibition experience through content, training and business meetings, in association with Bio Linéaires. They are also offered accommodation to assist them in organising their trip.

Large retail also has its role to play and is invited to join in through the operation Bio Connexion by Natexpo to meet the producers and manufacturers who could revolutionise their organic sections.

Exhibitor trends: What’s new at Natexpo?

Astonishing results are noted in plant innovations. More than half of French people have reduced their meat consumption in recent years, and nearly half of them for ecological reasons. For many years, plant-based food brands have been innovating to offer alternatives to meat products. The names are intriguing, and the results are up to expectations!

Things are also moving in the drinks department: organic brands are constantly developing unexpected recipes with increasingly original and delicious ingredients. A far cry from excessively sweet soft drinks, we are seeing a wave of imaginative blends, fermented beverages and alcohol-free spirits, which can be discovered at Natexpo.

For both food and non-food products, Natexpo exhibitors are ramping up their resourcefulness to make new products from downgraded foodstuffs, by-products or raw materials destined to be thrown away. No more unsold products without a solution, no more unnecessary packaging: that’s the principle of these brands that are shaking up the segment!

Another trend worth highlighting is fairtrade. The fairtrade market in the specialist organic retail sector is worth €266.7 million, just over 11.9% of products with a barcode on the specialist organic market. While fair trade once applied to very specific ingredients, such as chocolate or sugar, it is now well represented in numerous departments, in particular fresh and chilled. Labels (Fairtrade Max Havelaar, Bio Partenaire, Fair for Life, Agri Éthique France, Bio Équitable en France, etc.) are an advantage and can complement local sourcing: although some products come from far away, they allow people to make a decent living through their work while protecting biodiversity thanks to strict specifications. And that is not incompatible with local sourcing! Nearly 1,500 “Origine France” fair trade products were marketed in 2023, of which 81% organic.

Discover the full trends unveiled in the Natexpo Journal with a presentation of exhibitors’ innovations, available at www.natexpo.com

Natexpo 2024 at a glance

A new, shorter and more effective format: 2 days, weekdays only (Monday/Tuesday)
6 exhibition sectors: Organic Food, Cosmetics and Hygiene Products, Dietary Supplements, Ingredients and Raw Materials, Eco-friendly Home Products, Services and Equipment for Retail and Brands.
20% of new exhibitors
12 winners of the 2024 Natexpo Awards
A simplified offer: 2 stand options and a 10% reduction for all exhibitors who are members of the Cosmébio, Forébio, Synabio, Synadiet and Synadis Bio trade associations,
Innovation with an incubation area: The Seeds Village & The Big Splash, The New Products Gallery, The Natexpo Awards
Business: 3 operations dedicated to retail – the Organic Retailers Village, Local Shops and Bio Connexion by Natexpo.
Content: The organic sector takes centre stage
Conviviality: Natexpo Tchin-Tchin, a festive and musical aperitif on the Monday evening

Order your visitor badge on natexpo.com and be part of the experience.