F Istanbul – Food, Beverage, Production Technologies and Export Fair 2026

Candy Star at F Istanbul 2026: Our Third Year on the International Exhibition Stage

We made our exhibition debut in 2024 and built on that experience in 2025. In 2026, we returned for the third time, bringing Candy Star’s colorful world together with industry professionals once again.

Held at the Istanbul Expo Center on August 26–29, 2026, F Istanbul welcomed Candy Star for our third consecutive participation. At Stand BQ284 in Hall 8, we presented our products, welcomed visitors and explored opportunities for cooperation across different markets.

For us, this third participation continued the work and learning that began with our first exhibition. Drawing on the experience gained each year, we focused on presenting our products more effectively, developing a closer understanding of buyers’ needs and continuing to introduce our brand internationally.

A Journey from Our First Step to Our Third Year

F Istanbul 2024 was Candy Star’s first exhibition and our first opportunity to meet international buyers in an exhibition setting. The excitement of opening our stand to visitors for the first time gave that event a special place in our brand’s history.

When we returned in 2025, we brought the lessons of our first experience with us. From product presentations to business discussions, we placed greater emphasis on understanding visitors’ expectations at every stage.

Our third appearance at F Istanbul in 2026 brought continuity to this journey. While preserving the enthusiasm of our first day, we welcomed visitors with the insights gained from two previous exhibitions. We brought both our production experience and our responsibility to represent our brand to the stand.

Hall 8, Stand BQ284: Candy Star’s Meeting Point

Throughout the exhibition, Stand BQ284 in Hall 8 served as a meeting point for visitors wishing to explore Candy Star products and learn about our brand. Over four days, we introduced our range, answered questions and held discussions about potential partnerships.

The conversations that take place at a stand are among the most valuable aspects of an exhibition. We made a point of giving visitors our time, understanding which products interested them and clearly sharing the information they needed. From a brief introduction to a detailed business discussion, we believe every interaction contributes to mutual understanding.

Color, Shape and Presentation Together

Color, shape and presentation hold a special place in Candy Star’s product range. At F Istanbul 2026, we introduced visitors to this world through our lollipops, marshmallow varieties and other confectionery products.

Examining products in person adds another dimension to a buyer’s assessment. Seeing a product’s appearance, packaging and display format together allows for more practical discussions about the sales channels it might suit and how it could be presented.

We approached our product displays with this in mind. We valued conversations that allowed visitors to compare our range and discuss options suited to their own markets.

Direct Communication with Domestic and International Buyers

One of our main reasons for participating in F Istanbul 2026 was to meet industry professionals from Türkiye and abroad face to face. The exhibition provided an important opportunity to present accurate product information while discussing potential opportunities in distribution, wholesale and different retail channels.

Every market has its own needs and working conditions. Product preferences, packaging expectations, order planning and presentation at the point of sale can all influence a buyer’s assessment. Alongside introducing our products, we therefore placed importance on listening to each company’s expectations.

Our aim was to help both sides understand one another clearly at the beginning of a potential partnership. We believe that clear questions, precise information and realistic expectations are valuable foundations for sound business relationships.

From Sakarya to the International Exhibition Stage

We continue our production journey, which began in 2010, in Sakarya. Representing Candy Star, a brand developed under Şekersan Grup with 100% Turkish capital, at an international exhibition holds particular significance for us.

Behind every product displayed at our stand is the work involved in production, preparation, packaging and presentation. We see our exhibition participation as an opportunity to bring that work directly to visitors. While introducing our products, we also had the chance to share our brand’s story and our approach to production.

As a brand manufacturing in Türkiye, meeting industry representatives from different countries helps us assess our work from a broader perspective. These encounters are also valuable in identifying areas where we can develop further.

The Perspective Gained from Three Years of Participation

Taking part in the same international exhibition for three consecutive years gave us an opportunity to reflect on our own development. The difference between the questions we asked during our first participation and the topics we focused on in our third year was an important part of that process.

Each exhibition brought new insights into the information needed to support our products, the priorities of different buyers and ways to make our discussions more productive. We value carrying these observations into our subsequent work.

We recognize that progress in international markets requires patience, preparation and consistent communication. With this understanding, we see our third participation in F Istanbul as a step in our long-term work.

From Exhibition Discussions to Future Work

An exhibition’s value does not end on its closing day. Reviewing meeting notes, clarifying requests and sharing the necessary information are important parts of the work that follows.

We approach the contacts established at F Istanbul 2026 with this perspective. Understanding the products that interested our visitors and the expectations they shared provides a starting point for planning the next steps in a more organized and considered way.

We know that not every conversation will lead to the same outcome. Even so, we believe that every request listened to carefully and every exchange of information can contribute to our brand’s development.

Thank You to Everyone Who Contributed to This Journey

We thank everyone who visited our stand at F Istanbul 2026, explored our products and shared their questions and opinions with us. We were pleased to meet those discovering our brand for the first time and to share Candy Star’s story.

We also recognize with pride the contributions of our colleagues at every stage of this participation, from preparing products and setting up the stand to welcoming visitors and conducting meetings.

The excitement we felt while preparing for our first exhibition remains with us today. It is now accompanied by the awareness gained through experience and a sense of responsibility for the work ahead.

In 2024, we took our first step. In 2025, we gained experience. In 2026, we returned to the same stage for the third time. As Candy Star, we continue to produce, learn and introduce our colorful world to new buyers.