Against a backdrop of European regulations on deforestation and nature restoration, as well as climate change and economic pressures, the forestry sector is facing major challenges. Over the course of four days at the Messe München exhibition grounds in Munich, Germany, about 42,000 visitors experienced numerous innovations and trends related to the key themes of A Healthy Forest of the Future, People in Focus, Forestry Technology on New Paths, and Digitalization of Forestry & Wood at INTERFORST 2026.
Some 400 companies from 28 countries showcased products, technology, and solutions for forestry under the INTERFORST 2026 theme of “Shape the forest together. Utilize diversity. Secure the future.”
As a leading international forestry trade fair, held once every four years, INTERFOREST 2026 brought together representatives from politics, business, and research to discuss key future issues and the political framework conditions governing the forestry sector.
Fall date a public success
The attendance of high-ranking federal and provincial officials, such as Federal Minister of Agriculture Alois Rainer, Bavaria’s Minister of Forestry Michaela Kaniber, and Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger, underscored the political significance of the event.
Messe München Managing Director Dr Reinhard Pfeiffer is positive about how things went, not least with the new fall date.
INTERFORST has impressively demonstrated the central role it plays in shaping change in the forestry sector. As a leading international trade fair, it brings together politics, business, and research; promotes dialogue on sustainable political framework conditions; and provides important inspiration for the entire industry. For us at Messe München, this also represents a clear mandate: As a reliable partner to the industry, we will work together to expand the trade fair in line with European market needs for 2030, Dr Reinhard Pfeiffer.
Gert Unterreiner, Deputy Chairman of the Advisory Board, agrees.
INTERFORST was an absolute highlight of the year, bringing together the entire industry. The quality and quantity of the visitors are particularly commendable, as is the excellent organization on the grounds and the implementation of the action and demonstration areas, Gert Unterreiner said.
In addition to appealing to industry professionals, INTERFORST also addressed the general public this year.
According to Bernhard Breitsameter, President of the Bavarian Forest Owners’ Association, the event makes a significant contribution to the role of forests in society.
As the leading trade fair for the forestry industry, INTERFORST has succeeded in raising awareness of forest conservation, forest conversion, and forest management—using its media reach to extend beyond the political sphere and into individual households, Bernhard Breitsameter said.
Showcasing the future of forestry and forestry technology
INTERFORST 2026 centered on four key themes: “A Healthy Forest for the Future,” “People in Focus,” “Forestry Technology on New Paths,” and “Digitalization of Forestry & Wood.”
Over the four days, 400 companies (up 14 percent from 2022) showcased innovations and sustainable solutions for the forestry sector.
The share of international exhibitors reached a record high, with 40 percent of exhibitors coming from abroad.
In addition to Germany, the top exhibitor countries were Austria, Italy, Sweden, France, Finland, China, Switzerland, Latvia, and Slovenia.
INTERFORST thrives on the fact that we continue to develop it together with the industry. Our exhibitors have been actively involved in the trade fair concept from the very beginning, contributing ideas and, in particular, bringing the new hands-on formats to life. The fact that these offerings have been so well received confirms that our collaborative approach is a key component of our success, commented Petra Hess Exhibition Director for INTERFOREST.
The close cooperation between INTERFORST and the industry had a direct impact on the trade fair experience.
The past few days have shown that the new concept for INTERFORST 2026 is a complete success for both visitors and exhibitors. Visitors really appreciate that there are more demonstration areas where they can see the machines in use live. We are pleased that the trade fair has regained its international specialist character, said Yvonne Oehler, Managing Director of Oehler Maschinen.
Finland’s AGCO Power was one of the many international exhibitors this year. For Account Manager Heikki Hihnala, attending the trade fair was a success.
We are very satisfied with INTERFORST 2026. It provided an excellent opportunity to meet customers and key decision-makers, strengthen relationships, and engage in valuable discussions about the future of forestry. The German-speaking markets are of great importance to AGCO Power, and INTERFORST is undoubtedly one of the most important events for us in this region, Heikki Hihnala said.
New action and demo areas
One new feature at INTERFORST 2026 was the demonstration and action areas in the outdoor exhibition grounds.
In the demonstration areas, located directly at the exhibitors’ booths, exhibitors had an opportunity to present their vehicles and machines live at their stands.
This is a big advantage for demonstrating equipment and machinery.
The mood among the companies at the trade fair was very good. The increase in visitors from Finland, Austria, Croatia, and northern Germany is particularly encouraging. The new action areas for demonstrating solutions are a hit with visitors. That was a great start toward better meeting visitors’ needs in the future, commented Ralf Dreeke, Chairman of the Advisory Board.
A total of 44 companies made use of the additional exhibition demonstration space.
The new demonstration areas were very well received by the trade fair audience, and we found it much easier to set them up. By integrating them into our stand, we had more flexibility with the demonstration times and were better able to accommodate visitors’ requests. We are completely satisfied, commented Markus Eichinger, Co-Founder of Reil & Eichinger.
Thumbs up from visitors
A total of 42,000 people from 75 countries attended INTERFORST 2026. In addition to Germany, the top visitor countries include Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the Czech Republic, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Finland and Romania.
The successful outcome of the trade fair is also reflected in the survey carried out by the Gelszus market research institute, in which 96 percent of the visitors rated the fair as good to excellent.
In addition, 93 percent confirmed INTERFORST’s leading role within the industry.
In addition to the exhibitors’ newly introduced demonstration areas, this year featured—for the first time—three action areas focusing on workflows in timber transport, networking in highly mechanized timber harvesting, and the firewood value chain.
There, visitors had the opportunity to observe the processes of the forestry value chain firsthand. One of these areas was designed by PALFINGER EPSILON. For Regional Marketing Manager Sophia Austrup, this was the perfect addition:
INTERFORST 2026 was once again a great success for PALFINGER EPSILON. The trade fair provided the ideal platform to showcase our products live and in real use, and to demonstrate their performance to a wide audience. In particular, our personal interactions with local and international customers and partners underscored the high level of interest in our solutions, Sophia Austrup said.
Comprehensive “Knowledge, technology, exchange” support program
The comprehensive support program highlighted INTERFORST’s four key themes through a variety of formats. Over 30 presentations and panel discussions at the conference and forums allowed visitors to expand their expertise in forestry and forestry technology.
In addition, the special exhibition “Shaping forests together” addressed key issues concerning the future of the forest, while the Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry, and Horticulture (SVLFG) focused on safety, health, and responsible work practices in the outdoor exhibition area.
The Bavarian State Forests’ vocational skills competition and STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® showcased forestry technology in action.
A special “SYSTEMS & COMPONENTS FORESTRY by DLG” provided insights into digital solutions in the fields of automotive electronics, sensor technology, and AI-based applications and was very well received by visitors; this partnership is to continue in the future.
The next INTERFORST will be held from October 17 to 20, 2030, at the Munich exhibition grounds.
