| ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA 2009 CLOSING REPORT
Hong Kong: 7 September 2009 – ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA and Asiafruit Congress have confirmed their premier position as Asia’s leading trade show and conference event for the international fresh fruit and vegetable business. More than 3,400 trade visitors from 52 countries all over the world, including 60 per cent from Asia, were in Hong Kong last week to attend the three-day event, which took place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 2-4 September 2009. Some 224 exhibitors from 31 countries took part at ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA, with 500 delegates from more than 40 countries registered at the Asiafruit Congress. “These are excellent results for exhibitors, trade visitors and conference delegates alike, especially at such a challenging time for the global economy,” said Gérald Lamusse, managing director of Global Produce Events GmbH, which organises the three-day event. “The results underline just how important and unique our event in Asia has become for the international fresh fruit and vegetable business.” Major fresh produce countries and trading nations from across the world expanded their presence at this year’s ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA.
Asian countries once again accounted for the largest number of exhibitors on a regional basis, making up 35 per cent of the total. China had a particularly strong presence, with some 55 companies taking part, while exhibitors were also present from other leading Asian markets such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Countries from Europe (25 per cent), South America (13 per cent), Oceania (12 per cent), North America (9 per cent) and Africa (6 per cent) were also well represented at ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA, reflecting the truly international character of the show.
While Australia, The Netherlands, France and the US all beefed up their presence at ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA, major South American supplying nations such as Chile and Brazil exhibited for the first time. Peru and Argentina also made another strong showing while South Africa was back in force.
“Major exporting countries are moving in on Asia and making this event the fulcrum of their marketing push in the region,” noted Mr Lamusse.
While visitors to ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA were impressed with the size and range of the stands, exhibitors also remarked on the high quality of the visitors in attendance. Leading buyers from Asia’s major fruit and vegetable markets again made up the majority of visitors to ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA, with most of them holding decision-making positions in their companies.
Many of Asia’s fruit and vegetable markets have responded positively to the global economic crisis over the past 12 months as a desire among consumers to rein in their spending on eating out has prompted demand for fresh produce to remain steady or, in some cases, increase.
That was one of the key takeaways for delegates to the opening day of Asiafruit Congress, Asia’s top international conference event for fresh fruit and vegetable marketing, which took place over three mornings alongside ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA.
Asiafruit Congress was addressed by a range of high-level international speakers offering delegates unique insights and expert advice to help them make the most of the important growth opportunities that Asia presents.
Day One opened with a broad overview of economic trends and shopper habits across Asia from The Nielsen Company combined with strategic advice on how to boost sales to the region’s markets. A panel of Asian buyers, including senior retail executives from Tops/Central Food Retail and ParknShop, then discussed the findings of the analysis. Success stories in consumer marketing also came under the spotlight on Day One with presentations from Publicis Worldwide, the California Table Grape Commission and Japanese marketing consultancy Yamano & Associates.
Major global retail groups Tesco and Metro kicked off Day Two by outlining their produce procurement strategies in Asia and China respectively in a session on Asia’s sourcing potential. The issue of licensing intellectual property such as proprietary varieties in China was also the focus of a session that featured first-hand insights from BioGold International, Mylnefield Research Services and Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute.
Day Three opened with expert analysis of the impact of trade liberalisation in Asia on the fresh produce business and concluded with an exclusive session on the emerging Indonesian market.
The success of this year’s ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA and Asiafruit Congress stands the event in good stead for its return to Hong Kong next year, when the three-day event takes place on 8-10 September 2010 at Hong Kong’s Convention and Exhibition Centre.
POM Wonderful LLC (USA)
The world’s largest grower and marketer of fresh pomegranates and value-added pomegranate products was exhibiting for the third time at ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA. Director of international sales Gerhard Leodolter said that Pom Wonderful’s pomegranate production will expand to over 5,600ha for the 2009 season. “There is another 3,200ha that will be reaching maturity next year, which should give us as much as 8 per cent more fresh production in 2010,” said Mr Leodolter. Fresh California pomegranates gained access to Korea in 2008, and Pom Wonderful is looking to build on the achievements of the debut deal in the 2009 season. “The first season in Korea was a huge success for us,” said Mr Leodolter. “About four times more volume actually got shipped than was originally anticipated last year. With the exchange rate (to the Korean won) greatly improved, it will be interesting to see how much we’ll ship for the coming season.”
Washington Apple Commission (USA)
The Washington apple industry is expecting another near-record crop for the new season.
“It looks like we will have well over 100m cartons once again this year, but fruit size and shape should be improved over last season,” said Rebecca Baerveldt of the Washington Apple Commission. “Asian markets played a key role in moving last season’s record crop from storage into the market place. With a similar crop expected this season, Asia and other international destinations are going to be counted upon again.” According to Ms Baerveldt, ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA is well worth attending. “This is a great forum for our industry,” she said. “We have several major Washington state growers attending this year and it’s an excellent opportunity for them to sit down and meet with our Asian customers.”
USA PAVILION PARTICIPATION CONDITION
All firms exhibiting in the USA Pavilion at a USDA-endorsed show must promote and display a majority of products (greater than 51 percent by SKU count) that are of U.S. origin. A product is determined to be of U.S. origin if it is comprised of at least 51 percent U.S. origin content, by volume or by value, exclusive of added water.
USA PAVILION PARTICIPATION OPTIONS
SPACE ONLY
Exhibit with your own custom booth in the USA Pavilion.
including:
- Space (minimum 12 m2)
- Full access to all USA Pavilion services: Wireless Internet, Hospitality Lounge, Business Services, Catalogue Listing, and USA Directory Listing
- Three Exhibitor Passes
- Co-exhibitors allowed: one per 3 sqm at 200 € each incl. one Exhibitor Pass
COMPLETE BOOTH PACKAGE
An easy, cost-effective way to exhibit.
including:
- Space (minimum 9 m2)
- Fully furnished booth equipped with: Signage, Table, Chairs, Counter, Bar Stool, Shelves, Electric Outlet
- Full access to all USA Pavilion services: Wireless Internet, Hospitality Lounge, Business Services, Catalogue Listing, and USA Directory Listing.
- Three Exhibitor Passes
- Co-exhibitors allowed: one for first 9 sqm, one per additional 3 sqm at 250 € each incl. one Exhibitor Pass
FUNDING SUPPORT PROGRAMS
Your company may be eligible to take advantage of a financial support program that helps offset the cost of exhibiting at international trade shows. By exhibiting in the USDA endorsed USA Pavilion, eligible companies can receive reimbursement for up to 50 percent of exhibition related expenses, including exhibiting fees, international travel costs, set-up rental, and freight. Contact the State Regional Trade Group in your geographic area for Branded Program application details:
Food Export USA Northeast
215-829-9111
www.foodexportusa.org
Amy Kneller
Branded Program Manager
akneller@foodexport.org
Food Export Association of the Midwest USA
312-334-9200
www.foodexport.org
Michelle Rogowski
Deputy Director & Branded Program Manager
mrogowski@foodexport.org
Teresa Miller
Generic Program Manager
tmiller@foodexport.org
SUSTA (Southern United States Trade Association)
504-568-5986
www.susta.org
Deneen Wiltz
Branded Program Manager
deneen@susta.org
Bernadette Wiltz
Deputy Director & Generic Program Manager
bernadette@susta.org
WUSATA (Western United States Agricultural Trade Association)
360-693-3373
www.wusata.org
Ann Buczkowski
Branded Program Manager
ann@wusata.org
Janet Kenefsky
Generic Program Manager
janet@wusata.org
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