Post release

Prodexpo’2008: the 15th Anniversary International Exhibition for Food,
Beverages and Food Raw Materials

From February 11 through 15, 2008 Expocentre Fairgrounds played host to Prodexpo’2008, the largest international exhibition for food, beverages and food raw materials in Russia and Eastern Europe. Prodexpo is the unrivalled leader among Expocentre’s exhibitions that is acknowledged and approved by the global exhibition community and proudly carries the logo of UFI – the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry and the logo of RUEF – the Russian Union of Exhibitions and Fairs. The Prodexpo Exhibition is supported by the Russian Ministry of Agriculture and Moscow Government and is held under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation.

This year the total exhibition space of Prodexpo exceeded 80 000 sq m, and the net exhibition space reached a record high level of 44 000 sq m.

2 111 exhibitors from 59 countries of Europe, Asia and America demonstrated their products; 34 countries presented their national expositions; the largest ones were arranged by Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the USA. Countries from Southeast Asia and Latin America among which were Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, and Thailand were widely represented at Prodexpo’2008. Prodexpo’2008 was attended by over 45 000 people, 92% of whom were professional visitors representing agribusiness enterprises from all over Russia, the CIS and abroad. Most of the exhibitors were satisfied with the results of their participation; over 80% expressed their readiness to participate in Prodexpo’2009.

This year the Prodexpo thematic sections traditionally showcased the full range of food products, thus reflecting all changes and development trends of both the domestic and global food markets. In particular, Prodexpo’2008 demonstrated a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, meat and dairy products as well as frozen and canned food. Meeting the demands of the market, the Exhibition offered special sections featuring food products for restaurants, dietary products and healthy food.

Prodexpo’2008 became a meeting place for food manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers, retail food store chain representatives and consumers.

The Center of Purchases for Store Chains enabled representatives of about 50 largest retail food chains from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan to network successfully and conduct negotiations.

The Choice of Food Store Chains Open Contest was successfully held at Prodexpo’2008. 30 companies presented 112 food products. The contest revealed some potentially interesting products for food store chains. Buyers from over 50 national and regional food store chains made up the expert council of the contest. They assessed the packaging, appearance and value for money of food products.