Trade visitors praise product range and synergy effects with Sweets China and International FoodTec China/Interfood

The first World of Food China (4th to 6th September 2006) was a great success, with 11,906 trade visitors from 91 countries coming to Shanghai to gather comprehensive information about food and beverage products. A total of 2,701 buyers (almost 23 per cent) came from outside China. Especially well represented were other Asian countries, as well as Australia, North and South America, Europe and the Middle East. Staff from the 142 exhibiting companies were impressed by the number of trade visitors and their high level of decision-making authority.

According to Wolfgang Kranz, Executive Vice President of Koelnmesse GmbH, the success of the inaugural World of Food China demonstrates that the company�s strategy is effective. �We have successfully established a new trade fair for food and drinks in Shanghai,� he reports. �We now plan to build on this year�s success and step up our activities even further in the future.�

The exhibitors at the first World of Food China presented a wide range of staple foods and delicatessen items, from meat and fish products to drinks and fresh produce. Germany, Italy, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the USA organised national pavilions. The largest contingent of exhibitors came from China (55 suppliers), followed by the Philippines (23), Thailand (15), 3 Italy (13) and Germany (8).

A VIP Procurement Centre, set up in conjunction with Sweets China, enabled suppliers and buyers to make contact with each other. Representatives of leading trading companies in Asia were on hand here to hold discussions.

The supporting programme of World of Food China was specifically designed to meet the needs of the Chinese food industry. It was well-attended and highly regarded. Highlights included cooking demonstrations hosted by the Australian chef Scott Webster, and wine seminars. Strong interest was also generated by a presentation by Phillip W. Byrd, Director of the General American Importers Association, on entering the U.S. market.

There was unanimous praise for the synergy effects between the three related trade fairs that took place in parallel. For the first time, World of Food China and International FoodTec China/Interfood were held alongside Sweets China, which was launched in Shanghai in 2004. World of Food China showcases end products from the food and beverage sector, while International FoodTec China focuses on the Chinese market for food technology. Through this trade fair trio, Koelnmesse presented the entire food sector, from production to the finished product, at one time and in one place.

Feedback on the trade fair venue, the Shanghai New Exhibition Centre, was also extremely positive. The spacious halls and excellent infrastructure meant that the three parallel food fairs all ran smoothly.

World of Food China is organised by Koelnmesse in cooperation with the China National Food Industry Association (CNFIA).

The next World of Food China will take place in Shanghai from 5th to 7th September 2007 parallel to Sweets China in Shanghai from 5th to 7th September 2007.

The next International FoodTec China/Interfood will take place in Shanghai from 3rd to 5th September 2008.

Further information:
www.worldoffoodchina.com

For information on the other fairs in the trade fair trio, go to:
www.sweetschina.com
www.foodtechina.com