Global Wine Trade Shows Face Cancellations and Downsizing Amid Industry Challenges

The international wine trade show calendar is facing major changes as several key events are canceled, downsized, or discontinued. Vinexpo India, which was scheduled to take place on October 3 and 4 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, has been canceled by its organizer, Vinexposium. The decision was announced after discussions with local partners. Organizers cited that, despite strong interest from industry players, the necessary conditions were not met to deliver an event that would meet the expectations of exhibitors and visitors.

In 2024, Vinexpo India attracted 5,300 visitors and 80 exhibitors in Mumbai. Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium, said that technical issues in India led to the cancellation. He explained that the 2025 edition would not have met Vinexpo’s standards and that the company preferred to pause and return in 2026 with improved logistics and execution.

Meanwhile, ProWein Düsseldorf, one of Europe’s largest wine trade shows, is undergoing significant changes to regain its appeal amid growing competition. Traditionally held each March by Messe Düsseldorf, ProWein will reduce its number of exhibitors to about 4,000 in 2026. This is a notable drop from its record of 6,000 stands in 2023 and matches the current level of Wine Paris, which aims for 6,000 stands in 2026. The German event will also reconfigure its exhibition space, consolidating into four halls instead of spreading across more areas as in previous years.

Messe Düsseldorf stated that this new layout will be more compact and condensed. The goal is to bring exhibitors closer together for greater visibility and to make it easier for visitors to navigate the event. The changes are designed to address both ergonomic needs and economic pressures as the wine industry faces increased competition and ongoing market challenges.

The shifting landscape has also led to the closure of Wine 4 Trade, a B2B event organizer known for its "French Wine Discoveries" shows and email campaigns supporting French wine exports. Owned since 2018 by NGPA Group, Wine 4 Trade ceased operations this September due to the current crisis affecting the wine sector. Founded in 2001, the company organized dozens of professional events across Europe, Asia, and North America over the years.

Despite these setbacks, the schedule for French wine industry B2B events remains busy for the coming months. Major gatherings include Vinexposium’s World Bulk Wine Exhibition in Amsterdam on November 24-25, Wine Paris from February 9-11, 2026, Vinexpo Americas on April 29-30, 2026, and Vinexpo Asia from May 26-28, 2026 in Hong Kong. ProWein continues with events such as ProWine São Paulo from September 30 to October 2; ProWine Mumbai from October 31 to November 1; ProWine Shanghai from November 12-14; ProWein Düsseldorf from March 15-17, 2026; ProWine Tokyo from April 15-17; and ProWine Hong Kong from May 10-12, 2027. Other important dates include Millésime Bio in Montpellier from January 26-28 and the Loire Valley Wine Fair in Angers on February 2-3.

Rodolphe Lameyse emphasized that maintaining high standards is essential for Vinexposium: “When you run Vinexposium, you cannot afford to deliver a show below our clients’ expectations—whether it’s execution, organization or visitor quality.” The recent changes reflect how global wine trade events are adapting to new realities shaped by economic pressures and evolving industry demands.