What is the SPACE Show and why is it worth attending?
If there is one event I mark in my poultry calendar every year, it is the SPACE Show. I have been attending for over 20 years and it still impresses me with its scale and diversity of profiles: from chief executives and technical staff to veterinarians, nutritionists, poultry farmers and animal production professionals of every kind.
At this 39th edition of SPACE, 16–19 September 2025, I will once again make the most of its cross-sector nature, where conversations shift from strategy to practice in a matter of minutes. In a single aisle you can step into the stand of a French poultry integrator and sit in on discussions between its CEO and its contracted broiler growers, then ten metres further on discover the latest sensor developed by a start-up in collaboration with a poultry association and ITAVI. You can discuss the latest poultry vaccines with a veterinarian, compare litter quality and spreading systems with a poultry farmer, or learn how small egg producers market their eggs or their poultry meat from species other than the broiler chicken.
Another thing I notice year after year is the large number of poultry farmers who attend the Show. In fact, in 2024 attendance exceeded 100,000 visitors and more than 1,200 exhibitors took part; for 2025 visitor numbers are likely to rise further, also driven by SPACE’s strong international profile, particularly as a gateway for investment in Africa.
I have attended dozens of poultry trade shows or events with significant poultry activity around the world, and one thing that is immediately obvious is that SPACE is not just “another show” for its organisers — it is their flagship event. In Rennes you can feel that they pull out all the stops, being a privately run organisation not subject to the political winds that affect the management of other shows.
I must also highlight another factor: within the context of European poultry production, France (12%) is the third largest poultry meat producer, behind Spain (13%) and Poland (21%). In eggs, France already has 70% of its laying hen flock housed in cage-free systems, unlike Spain, where progress is being made but slowly, with only 36% of the flock outside cages. Furthermore, as shown in the latest EC market report on the EU egg sector dated 3 September 2025, France is the leading egg producer in the EU, ahead of Spain and Germany. It is true that generational renewal is a challenge — in France and across European livestock farming as a whole — and this is precisely why SPACE organises numerous activities to attract young people and students, inspiring new vocations.
Consumers who prioritise locally sourced poultry products
When it comes to consumers, poultry is no exception to the tangible sense of terroir among French consumers — their “love of the land” — which almost invariably leads them to prioritise the purchase of local or France-reared products, as well as gastronomic diversity. It is no coincidence that France, within the European poultry meat sector, is the largest consumer and producer of poultry species other than chicken, produced on thousands of local farms. France is the country in the world with the most diversified poultry meat consumption, offering a wide range of alternatives to the standard broiler chicken.
In 2024, poultry overtook pork and chicken is now the most consumed meat in France. Last year, each French citizen consumed 31.6 kg of poultry, of which 25 kg was chicken, according to the statistical service of the Ministry of Agriculture — an increase of 10% compared with 2023.
Brittany, France’s livestock heartland
Another reason why SPACE has such a strong draw is its location, right in the heart of Brittany. SPACE is held at the Parc-Expo de Rennes, in the heart of Brittany/the Grand Ouest, one of Europe’s most powerful livestock regions, concentrating more than 40% of French livestock production: French leadership in dairy, together with major national shares in poultry, pig and milk production, are all concentrated in the Grand-Ouest. In my experience, this shows in the quality of conversations — both spontaneous ones in the aisles and scheduled conference sessions — as well as in the technical rigour of the stands.
In terms of broiler production, in 2020 Brittany had 1,810 holdings dedicated to poultry meat production, using 3.5 million m² of poultry facilities. Organic chicken accounts for 1.8% of total poultry in Brittany. The region also has two Label Rouge quality marks: Les Fermiers de Janzé and Les Fermiers de l’Argoat.
In 2021, Brittany produced 491,000 tonnes of poultry meat, representing approximately one third of national output. The region processed 500,000 tonnes of poultry, of which: 70% was chicken, 22% turkey, and 4% duck.
Regarding egg production, with a flock of 34.7 million laying hens, Brittany is the largest egg-producing region in France.
Parallel activities — another major attraction
The show is not just an exhibition: the programme includes over 100 conferences, Espace for the Future (annual theme), sector zones (poultry, cattle, pig, sheep-goat, rabbit, aquaculture), a Youth Forum, the Tech’Agri Challenge and livestock presentations. My tip: I mark three must-see sessions per day to avoid “trade show FOMO”.
Dates, venue and how to reach the Parc-Expo de Rennes
In 2025, SPACE is held from Tuesday 16 to Thursday 18 September at Rennes Parc-Expo (Bruz, 2 km from the airport). The organisers facilitate logistics with free shuttle services:
- Gare de Rennes ⇄ Parc-Expo (≈ 30 min).
- Rennes city centre ⇄ Parc-Expo.
- Saint-Malo ⇄ Parc-Expo (no return service on Thursday afternoon).
- Rennes Airport ⇄ Parc-Expo (on demand, at arrivals desk / Gate C).
- Nantes Airport ⇄ Train Nantes > Rennes ⇄ Parc-Expo (trains every hour).
- Paris Airports ⇄ Train Paris > Rennes ⇄ Parc-Expo (trains every hour).
- From Spain you can drive — six hours from the border — but the most practical option is to fly from Madrid or Barcelona (VOLOTEA and VUELING operate direct flights from Barcelona) to Nantes, then either hire a car (110 km) or take the train to Rennes station, from where free shuttles run continuously to the showground. Alternatively, take one of the many low-cost flights to Paris and board a TGV to Rennes (90 minutes).
Visiting Brittany after the show is worth the trip on its own
Every year I meet Spanish visitors who stay on after the Show to explore the Breton coast. Personally, what I never tire of visiting are the D-Day landing beaches from the Second World War and the magical Mont Saint-Michel, which I have been lucky enough to visit on a couple of occasions — avoiding the crowds by arriving at 7 in the morning (it is just 74 km from the showground).
Tickets, opening hours and international registration
International visitors enjoy free admission with the International Pass (valid for all 3 days). Registration for the free pass is available from June and you can store the badge on your phone (no need to print). In 2025, visitor opening hours are 09:00–19:00 on all three days. If you are travelling from overseas, the show offers support with visa invitation letters. My advice: register for the pass in advance and save the QR code to your phone wallet — you will go through the fast lane and avoid queues.
Innov’Space: the showcase for innovation
SPACE rightly takes pride in Innov’Space, the award scheme that identifies the newest and most practical solutions for the farm. In 2025 the competition celebrates its 30th anniversary and the judging panel has recognised 43 innovations (a record, driven by machinery and solutions featuring AI, biosecurity and animal welfare). Personally, I always tour the award-winning stands first: it saves time and sparks ideas — every year in poultry I find solutions with strong practical application in the short to medium term.
It is also clear that the judging panel understands the real challenges of the livestock sector, because Innov’Space awards are earned, not bought. The process is rigorous: a multidisciplinary jury (agricultural chambers, technical institutes, INRAE/INPI, veterinarians, farmers and press), with ⭐, ⭐⭐ and ⭐⭐⭐ (special mention) distinctions awarded based on value to the producer. When I say the Innov’Space awards are “rigorously assessed”, this is why: they cut through the noise and highlight what genuinely delivers.
Programme and conferences: how to choose the essentials
The programme blends >100 conferences and symposia with zones that change the pace of your visit: Espace for the Future (annual theme looking 3–5 years ahead), livestock presentations, sector itineraries, Job Dating, Youth Forum and Aquaculture. If you are an international visitor, the International Club is your base: coffee, B2B meetings and even farm visits in the region (usually around 10 routes covering poultry, cattle, sheep, aquaculture and even feed mills). I usually block a 60–90 min slot each day exclusively for B2B meetings.
A method for not missing out:
- Set one objective per day (e.g.: poultry automation).
- Open the official app and save favourites (exhibitors + sessions).
- Book 2–3 meetings via the B2B platform and leave room for serendipity.
My tips for getting the most out of SPACE
- Official SPACE app = your show GPS. Keep the exhibitor list, Innov’Space winners, marketplace, your pass and routes on your phone. It has saved me hours of aimless walking.
- International networking. The International Club and B2B agenda put you in front of decision-makers; arrive with specific questions and set up your digital agenda in advance (QR link to catalogue/technical data sheet).
- Stress-free logistics. Take the shuttle from the station or city centre; if you fly in, request the airport shuttle (on demand). Avoid driving in central Rennes during peak hours: the shuttle takes ~30 min and drops you at the entrance.
- Accommodation and opening hours. Book early and note the long opening hours: 09:00–19:00 across three days. I start with the “busiest” halls first thing in the morning and leave the outdoor areas for the afternoon.
- A wider look at Brittany. Beyond the showground, understanding the livestock context of the Grand-Ouest gives you an edge when discussing genetics, costs or logistics. It is a highly productive ecosystem; the informal “off” conversations are invaluable.
SPACE is the must-attend event for anyone working in poultry and animal production. After two decades of attending, I still find in Rennes the perfect mix of practical innovation (Innov’Space), real business (B2B/International Club) and visitor-friendly logistics (shuttles, app, badge). With this guide and clear objectives, three days go a long way: spotting trends, vetting suppliers and returning home with decisions made.
If you are coming, drop me a line and we can share a coffee at the B2B/International Club.
See you in Rennes!
Federico Castelló
fedecastello@NeXusAvicultura.com
Founder and Director of NeXusAvicultura.com
Further reading:
-. World POULTRY EVENTS calendar (updated weekly by NeXusAvicultura)
-. Official SPACE Rennes website
-. Innovations awarded at SPACE 2024 and 2023
-. Poultry production in France
-. SPACE news on NeXusAvicultura