INTERFORST 2026: Forestry Industry Leaders' Trade Fair Grows Internationally

<p><strong>Forests are on everyone's mind – and the forestry industry meets again in Munich in 2026.</strong> From October 15-18, INTERFORST opens its doors at the Munich Trade Fair grounds and brings together under the motto "Shaping forests together, using diversity, securing the future" key players from business, science and politics. The international leading trade fair for forestry and forest technology is thus responding to the pressing questions facing an industry in transition.</p>

<h2>Four key themes shape the fair program</h2> <p>For the first time, INTERFORST is taking place in October – with the new autumn date, the Munich Trade Fair wants to make it easier for international specialist visitors to participate. Four key themes are at the center: Healthy Future Forests, Focus on People, Forest Technology on New Paths, and Digitalization of Forestry & Wood. "As the leading trade fair for the Central European region, INTERFORST offers a comprehensive market overview and presents innovations and trends around the healthy future forest – from forest establishment and management to wood processing," summarizes project manager Petra Westphal. </p> <p>Numerous exhibitors from Germany and abroad present forward-looking innovations: digital applications, drone technology, LiDAR-based data collection, intelligent sensors, AI-based analyses as well as robotic and autonomous solutions. The key theme "Healthy Future Forest" ranges from reforestation and forest conversion to biodiversity, wood use and circular economy. The special exhibition "Shaping Forests Together" in Hall B6 addresses these issues with the Bavarian State Ministry and the Bavarian State Institute for Forests and Forestry.</p>

<h3>People as a success factor</h3> <p>Beyond machines and digitalization, INTERFORST focuses on people: occupational safety, health protection, training and new professional profiles are just as much part of the program as the question of how the industry can address the shortage of skilled workers. In the outdoor area, the parallel exhibition "Sustainable Forestry – People at the Center" shows these topics in a practice-oriented way. Norbert Harrer, Managing Director of the German Forest Contractors Association, emphasizes: "A healthy future forest requires responsible, sustainable and long-term management of the forest resource. An essential success factor remains people."</p>

<h2>Significant growth in international exhibitors</h2> <p>The numbers speak for themselves: The share of international exhibitors stands at 41 percent – an increase of seven percent compared to the 2022 event. At the same time, the total number of exhibitors is growing by 14 percent. In addition to the core countries Germany and Austria, companies from Great Britain, Finland, France, Italy, Switzerland, Slovenia, Czechia as well as from Brazil and Canada have already confirmed their participation. From Austria, companies such as Epsilon Kran, Eschlböck Maschinenfabrik, Penz Crane, Konrad Forsttechnik and Ressenig Fahrzeugbau are showing their solutions along the entire forestry value chain.</p> <p>Ralf Dreeke, Managing Director of Wahlers Forsttechnik and Chairman of the INTERFORST Expert Board, calls the fair a must-attend event: "No other trade fair offers such a comprehensive overview of current developments in forestry in such a compact way and brings users, manufacturers and decision-makers together so effectively." Bernhard Breitsameter, President of the Bavarian Forest Owners' Association, also emphasizes the practice-oriented nature: "INTERFORST appeals to forest owners in a special way because it conveys content not only theoretically, but makes it tangible through numerous live demonstrations and practice-oriented examples."</p>

<h3>New formats for start-ups and knowledge exchange</h3> <p>New in 2026 are dedicated start-up areas in Hall B6, where young companies present digital applications, technologies and new business models for forestry. The exhibition is supplemented by the INTERFORST Congress on October 15-16 and the INTERFORST Forums from October 16-18. In the lecture program, Ludwig Graf Douglas from TimberTom will address "Artificial Intelligence in Forestry" on Friday, October 16. The "Green Sofa," a hallmark of INTERFORST for years, also returns as a discussion format and addresses current industry issues.</p> <p>The special exhibitions and demonstration areas bring the main motto to life: Visitors can not only learn about products and solutions during the four trade fair days, but also follow live demonstrations – a format that, according to industry representatives, resonates particularly well with forest owners.</p>

<h2>Conclusion and Outlook</h2> <p>With its new autumn date, significant growth in international exhibitors and fresh formats such as start-up areas, INTERFORST 2026 positions itself as a central platform for an industry in change. Economic challenges, climate change, digital transformation and shortage of skilled workers demand answers – and these are exactly what will be discussed, shown and experienced in Munich between October 15-18. The fair opens daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the ticket shop will be available from April 2026. Anyone who wants to help shape the future of forestry can hardly afford to miss this date.</p>