Prodexpo 2015 Records
Despite a tough economic situation, the Prodexpo 2015 exhibition was a success and increased its key figures. We are glad to emphasize a record increase in visitor activity that is 4.2% more than in 2014. In 2015 visitor attendance amounted to 54,932 professionals from 97 countries and all federal districts of Russia. Besides, according to VCIOM (Russian Public Opinion Research Center) 81% of visitors are empowered to take decisions about purchasing, ordering services, or impact on the decision-making process.
Rapid growth of business activity was stipulated by dramatic changes of the Russian food market. In fact, a new suppliers’ map is developing now: retailers search for new partners and manufacturers get excellent opportunities to occupy vacant niches. It is clear that an opportunity to gain access to supermarket shelves is very rare and limited.
Angelo Turati, Commercial Director of O’KEY, “Earlier I called Italian suppliers with no trouble… And now Russian pasta manufacturers can successfully compete with Italians.”
Alexey Alexeyenko, Associate Head of the Rosselkhoznadzor, “It is here at Prodexpo the Russian food market is subject to drastic changes.”
All market players understand it. In 2015 food manufactures from Asia and Latin America became more active. However European food producers hope for the better and try to hold their positions at Prodexpo. And this fact determined the second record-breaking figure of Prodexpo 2015: companies from 65 countries participated in the trade show.
José Campusano Alarcón, Minister Plenipotentiary, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Chile in the Russian Federation, Head of the Export Promotion Bureau (ProChile), “Chile returned to Prodexpo in 2012. Since then this show has been one of the key events on which we pin our hopes for strengthening trade relations between our countries and for increase in Chilean exports to Russia. Every year Prodexpo becomes more and more popular in the Chilean business circles. The largest wine makers book these dates in their calendars not to miss the opportunity to show their products to professionals of the Russian alcohol market. The Prodexpo trade show is the right place to search for reliable partners and promote our products to the Russian market.”
Tatyana Korsunskaya, General Director of Sopexa-East OOO (Sopexa S.A.), “The exhibition met the expectations of French exporters who were part of the French pavilion. This year was very difficult because of the embargo, geopolitical environment and economic climate in Russia. But French exporters have faith in the market and are ready to support their Russian partners, as well as expand their activities and sign new contracts. The French pavilion enjoyed a large number of visitors. The exhibitors were satisfied with the quantity and quality of their contacts.”
Sayora Abdullayeva, Head of the delegation, Head of the Department of International Relations of CCI of the Republic of Tajikistan, “At Prodexpo we have signed the memorandum on cooperation with Russia’s six largest chains. And our company Subkhi Vatan signed 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.”
Following the course of import substitution the Russian manufacturers got opportunities to find new markets and expand their presence in retail chains. Local and regional authorities understand it and search for effective tools to promote products and thus develop the region’s economy. The third record is growth in the number of Russian regional group expositions: companies from the Astrakhan, Kirov, Novosibirsk, Penza, Smolensk, Tomsk, and Tula regions arranged their collective stands.
Valentina Ilyina, Business Hub Business Support Centre of the Tula region, “The collective stand was organized by Tula companies at the Prodexpo trade show two years in a row. For our manufacturers Prodexpo is the most desired, interesting and dramatic food show in Russia. Even now everyone wants to take part in the next edition and finds out information on booking a stand.”
The fourth record is retail activation. In 2015 representatives of 124 federal and regional chains held negotiations on procurements with suppliers and manufacturers at the Purchasing Centre for Retail Chains, that is 9.3% more than in 2014.
The fifth record is exhibitors’ success. According to the VCIOM research, 84% of the Prodexpo 2015 exhibitors pointed out that the show influenced achievement of business goals, and 83% made a decision to participate in the next edition of Prodexpo before the end of the trade show.
For reports from the trade show and exhibitors’ and visitors’ opinions go to
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhlWQ6Q5dPl6Vzp64CDohEYq0BaMfAhNX