For the Press

Food trade fair in Mumbai: A successful communication and order platform for the Indian food and beverage market

Slight increase to 5,404 trade visitors — exhibitors report making very good contacts
 
Annapoorna – World of Food India has reported excellent overall results, thus confirming its role as the central communication and order platform for the Indian food and beverage market. At the trade fair, which was held in Mumbai from 25th to 27th November 2009, 160 exhibitors from 14 countries presented their products. A total of 5,404 trade visitors, three per cent more than the figure for 2008, viewed the products and services on show and took advantage of the opportunities offered by the supporting programme to acquire detailed knowledge about import regulations and other important topics.
 
Annapoorna – World of Food India is organised by Koelnmesse GmbH and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

The event's partner country, South Africa, was represented at the trade fair by ten companies and thrilled the visitors with a live cooking demonstration and a wine tasting event on the last evening of the trade fair. For the first time ever, suppliers from Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Oman and Tunisia participated in Annapoorna – World of Food India in Mumbai. As in previous years, exhibitors from Germany, France and Korea were also on hand.

The Indian companies exhibiting in Mumbai included the major importers Suresh Kumar @ Co. , Manisha International, Rian Importeres, Privasia Trading, Rovin Impex and Dabon International.
 

The product spectrum at the fair ranged from basic foodstuffs, processed food and beverages, convenience products, meat and fish to frozen food products, dairy products, baked goods, fruit and vegetables, and lots more.

As a pure B2B trade fair presenting a broad range of foods and beverages, Annapoorna – World of Food India offered an outstanding platform for acquiring information, placing orders and networking. Most of the visitors came from India and its neighbouring countries. They included major purchasing organisations and trading companies such as Metro Cash & Carry, Tesco, Reliance, Spencer’s and 7 Seas Group, to name just a few. Buyers from catering companies, hotels, resorts, restaurants and food service providers also registered as visitors to the fair.
 

The highlights of the supporting programme included the two conferences “India — Future Market” and “Retail Opportunities”. Among the themes dealt with at the conferences were the growing expectations of consumers regarding new products and the effects these expectations are having on trade in India.

Another highlight of the fair was the “Importers' Meeting” organised in cooperation with the Amarchand Mangaldas law firm. This event, which was aimed primarily at Indian importing companies, was dominated by issues relating to the new food law in India, which is expected to be passed by the Indian parliament in February 2010 and which will affect Indian importers as well. The participants discussed topics such as packaging and labelling, products' shelf life and customer acceptance, all of which play a huge role for imported products.

Annapoorna – World of Food India took place in Hall 5 of the Bombay Exhibition Center and was open to trade visitors only.

Some exhibitor quotes:
 

• “Annapoorna – World of Food India was a good chance for us to meet potential importers in India, and we are satisfied with the overall results.” (Ms. Marillia R. Martins, ABEF — Brazilian Chicken Producers and Exporters Association)
• “Good quality of trade visitors at the show.” (Ms. Leow Mei Fui, Kawan Food Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd., Malysia)
• “Great opportunity to meet people for the Indian market.” (Ms. Sarah Jane McKerron, McNab’s Wellth, Pty. Ltd., South Africa)

Further information is available at:
www.worldoffoodindia.com

The next Annapoorna World of Food India will take place
once again in Mumbai from
24th to 26th November 2010.