From 9 to 12 September 2026, the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center in Istanbul hosted the 36th edition of ZUCHEX International Home and Kitchenwares Fair, reaffirming its role as a meeting point for manufacturers, retailers, distributors and industry professionals operating across global markets.

With 23,809 professional visitors from 119 countries, more than 1,500 exhibitors representing 15 countries and an exhibition area spanning 100,000 square metres, ZUCHEX 2026 demonstrated the scale of an event designed to connect the different players shaping the home and kitchenware sector. Over four days, the fair provided a setting in which businesses could showcase their latest products, establish new commercial relationships and explore opportunities across international markets. Rather than functioning solely as a product exhibition, ZUCHEX positioned itself as a professional platform where trade, networking and industry knowledge converge.

A Meeting Point for International Business

The international profile of ZUCHEX remains one of its defining characteristics. Visitors came from a broad range of geographical markets, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, creating opportunities for exhibitors to connect with buyers and professionals beyond their domestic markets.

According to the official post-show report, Europe accounted for 38% of international visitors, followed by the Middle East at 25%, Asia at 22%, Africa at 12%, and South and North America at 3%. The figures underline the fair's broad international reach and its capacity to bring together professionals with different market perspectives and commercial objectives.



The visitor profile further highlights ZUCHEX's business-oriented character. Retail and wholesale professionals represented 46% of visitors, while importers, exporters and distributors accounted for 29%. E-commerce and digital retail represented a further 19%, reflecting the importance of multiple sales channels within the contemporary home and kitchenware market. For exhibiting companies, this professional audience creates opportunities to present products directly to decision-makers, identify potential partners and develop relationships with businesses seeking new products and suppliers.

From Networking to Concrete Business Opportunities

A key component of the event was the Hosted Buyer Program, which brought together 350 professional buyers from 49 countries for one-to-one B2B meetings with exhibiting brands. The programme was designed to facilitate connections between manufacturers and qualified buyers, including representatives of major retail chains, importers and wholesalers from target markets. By providing a dedicated framework for business meetings, it strengthened the commercial dimension of the fair and supported exhibitors in exploring opportunities for international expansion.

The value of this approach is also reflected in exhibitors' experiences. Porland, for example, reported welcoming visitors from 53 different locations, particularly from Europe and the Middle East, as well as from the United States. The company described ZUCHEX as “a strong platform that brings together the housewares and retail sectors” and expressed its intention to participate in future editions. Dura Porselen similarly highlighted the opportunity to establish new business connections, particularly with visitors from European and Middle Eastern markets. For established brands and companies seeking to expand their reach, these connections are an essential part of the value offered by an international trade fair. The testimonials collected during the event also point to the importance of product discovery and sourcing. Visitors highlighted the breadth of categories available, the opportunity to meet manufacturers directly and the possibility of identifying new products for their respective markets.



Knowledge and Industry Exchange

Alongside its commercial programme, ZUCHEX 2026 placed emphasis on professional dialogue and knowledge sharing through a series of complementary initiatives. ZuchXTalks brought industry professionals and expert speakers together to discuss subjects ranging from design decisions and brand building in e-commerce to artificial intelligence in manufacturing, international regulatory compliance and emerging consumer trends. The programme also included a session on WGSN's Autumn/Winter 2027 trends, connecting the fair to broader conversations about the future direction of the industry.

The ZUCHEX Insight Lounge, introduced in 2026, provided another space for professionals from different areas of the sector to share their experiences, perspectives and observations. Discussions focused on current developments, changing expectations and emerging trends, with interviews and digital content extending these conversations to a wider audience.

Together, these initiatives broadened the role of the fair, creating opportunities not only to discover products and meet potential business partners, but also to exchange expertise and reflect on the challenges and transformations affecting the sector. The programme acknowledged that the home and kitchenware industry operates within a constantly evolving commercial environment, where product development, design, digitalisation and market knowledge increasingly intersect.

Connecting Design and Manufacturing

The relationship between creative thinking and industrial production was further explored through the ZUCHEX Designathon. The initiative brought together five design teams, which developed product concepts addressing real industry needs under the mentorship of designers from ETMK Istanbul and company representatives. At the end of a two-day creative process, the resulting concepts were presented to visitors, offering a practical example of collaboration between emerging design talent and the manufacturing sector. Meanwhile, ZUCHEX Workshop introduced visitors to hands-on creative activities over three days. Organised in collaboration with universities and women's cooperatives, the workshops covered techniques including porcelain painting, Kintsugi, clay design, batik dyeing and woodblock printing on kitchen aprons. These activities added a participatory dimension to the event, connecting professional visitors with craft techniques, material experimentation and different approaches to product creation.

ZUCHEX 2026 illustrated how an international trade fair can combine commercial objectives with opportunities for professional development and knowledge exchange. Its scale, international visitor base and dedicated B2B programme established the conditions for business connections, while its talks, design initiatives and industry discussions expanded the experience beyond the exhibition stands.

For all professionals of the sector, the value of such a platform lies in the opportunity to encounter products, markets and potential partners within a concentrated timeframe. For the wider industry, it offers a place to observe developments, exchange perspectives and engage with the evolving relationship between design, production and commerce.

As the home and kitchenware market continues to develop across different sales channels and international territories, platforms capable of bringing these professional communities together remain relevant to the sector's growth.

The next edition of ZUCHEX, the 37th International Home and Kitchenwares Fair, is scheduled to take place from 15 to 18 September 2027 at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Stay tuned at www.zuchex.com