Post Show Report 22nd International Exhibition Prodexpo 2015

02 / 03 / 2015

From February 9 through 13, 2015 the largest event in the food industry in Russia and Eastern Europe, the 22ndInternational Exhibition for Food, Beverages and Food Raw Materials Prodexpo 2015, successfully ran at Expocentre Fairgrounds in Moscow. The show is organized by Expocentre with the support of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture and runsunder the auspices of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Prodexpo 2015 pleased its exhibitors and visitors with its scope, interesting accompanying events, and high organizational level. As Associate Head of the Rosselkhoznadzor Alexey Alexeyenkoput it, 'A trade show is a surprising, almost sacred phenomenon. It is the place where boundaries blur and people meet. It is here at Prodexpo 2015 the Russian food market is subject to drastic changes. And the market built after this trade show will never be the same.'

Participants in Prodexpo 2015 were 1997 companies from 65 countries. They occupied exhibition area exceeding 100 000 sqm. Visitor attendance amounted to 54 932 professionals, that is 4.2% more than in 2014.

Companies from 31 countries arranged their national pavilions. This year, as in previous years, trade visitors have been greatly interested in the expositions organized by Austria, Baltic states, France, Greece, Italy, Hungary, and Spain. Such countries as Armenia, Brazil, China, Serbia, and Turkey have significantly enlarged their exhibition space. For example, China, the Prodexpo 2015 mainforeign partner, has tripled its exposition space. This year 150 Chinese companies came to the show. Latin America was represented by about 70 companies from seven countries.

Tajikistan made its debut at the show with the national stand. Sayora Abdullayeva, Head of the delegation, Head of the Department of International Relations of CCI of the Republic of Tajikistan highly appreciated the results of participation. She said, 'At the trade show we have signed the memorandum on cooperation with six Russia's largest chains. And our company Subkhi Vatan made a contract for delivery of canned foods and preserves to Kazakhstan. The debut was a success and we plan to participate in Prodexpo next year.'

The number of regional group expositions has grown compared to the previous year. For example, companies and enterprises from the Astrakhan, Kirov, Novosibirsk, Smolensk, Tomsk, and Tula regionsput on display confectionery and bakery foods, meat, fish and dairy products, beverages, canned food, vegetable fats, and packages. According to ValentinaIlyina, an expert of Business Hub Business Support Centre of the Tula region, 'the group stand has been organized by Tula companies at the Prodexpo trade show two years in a row. For our manufacturers Prodexpo is the most desired, interesting and impressive food show in Russia. Even now everyone wants to take part in the next edition and finds out information on booking a stand.'

Prodexpo 2015 included 22 thematic salons. In response to the market needs new sections were arranged– BabyFood, Honey and Bee Products, and Pet Food.

The theme of eco bio products got its further development. The 2nd International EcoBioSalon, organized by Expocentre ZAO jointly with International ECO BIO Center (France), showcased products made by 53 companies.

The Meat and Meat Products Salon was represented by numerous Russian meat and poultry processing plants as well as agriholdings. Latin American countries, such as Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay have increased their exhibition area. A lot of Belarusian companies also took part in the Salon. Columbian beef and Turkish poultry were showcased at the show for the first time. Russian consumers could see delicatessen and everyday food made from pork, beef, and poultry, familiar to the Russian people, and less traditional deer, elk, and boar.

Participants in the Dairy Products. Cheese Salonwere 127 companies. Manufacturers and suppliers from Armenia, Baltic states, Belarus, Russia, and Serbiaconstituted the backbone of the Salon. Iranian and Turkish companies showcased their dairy products and cheese for the first time.

The Fish and Seafood Salon has increased its exposition space compared to the previous year. Russian companies participated in the Salon along with foreign companies. A line of traditionally exhibited products (canned fish and fish snacks) was extended; producers of fresh fish took part in the Salon, among them the Trout-Breeders' Society of Karelia, Astrakhan Regional Fund for Small and Medium Business Support, and enterprises from Far East.

The Juices, Mineral Water, Soft Drinks Salon has greatly enlarged. Manufacturers from many countries displayed their products, among them Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Germany, Russia, and South Korea. Exhibitors of the Tea, Coffee Salon were over 100 manufacturers from Azerbaijan, Columbia, India, Italy, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, etc.

A large number of companies traditionally took part in the Alcoholic Drinks Salon. It was represented byproducers and suppliers from 30 countries. Alcohol was exhibited in national pavilions of Austria, Chile, France, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Mexico, Portugal, the Republic of South Africa, Spain, and others. The number of Russian wine-makers increased as well as the range of Crimean wines.

This year more companies displayed their products in the Fruit, Vegetables, Mushrooms and Vegetable Fats Salons compared to 2014. Participants in the Groceries, Cereals, Pasta, Spices, Kitchen Herbs; Confectionery, Snacks, Nuts, Dried Fruit; Canned Food, Sauces, Ketchups; Ice Cream;Frozen Food, Semi-Prepared Foods and Ready Meals Salons, and Packaging Solutions for the Food Industry – ProdexpoPack Exhibition traditionally arranged comprehensive expositions.

The Prodexpo organizers continued implementation of the Expocentre for Counterfeit-Free Exhibitions project, aimed to reduce the number of cases of counterfeit products displayed at the exhibition.

Prodexpo 2015 was, as always, accompanied by a rich and diverseevent program. Subjects of forums, conferences, and round tables reflected the current situation in the industry.

You are welcome to the next 23rd edition of the Prodexpo international exhibition which will run on 8-12 February 2016 at Expocentre Fairgrounds.