Foodpro, the country’s definitive food manufacturing event, generated record crowds and investment dollars, with around 340 exhibitors displaying the latest products and innovations on the market.

Hosted in Melbourne for the first time, foodpro attracted 9000-plus visitors, an increase of more than 500 visitor registrations from 2011.

Exhibition manager Peter Petherick said show floor sales and attendance figures reflected the continuing growth of the food and beverage manufacturing industry.

“With so much being said about a slowing economy, foodpro 2014 has bucked the trend. The food industry is still strong in this country, with the average value of sales leads made per exhibitor at the show being almost $1.2 million,” he said.

Following the success of foodpro 2014, organisers will be adding new sectors to the 2017 show that could be held in either Sydney or Melbourne.