NATEXPO 2021 has drawn to a close with excellent results to match an outstanding edition, with the event attracting more than 15,500 visitors from all over France and many countries across the world.
Coming in the wake of an unprecedented period for business and society, the event allowed organic market players to meet up again physically in the largest hall of the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition centre.
The event showcased all the latest developments on an exhibition area spanning 35,000 square metres, with 1,200 stands and pavilions representing 2,500 exhibitors and brands.
Many start-ups also presented their activities and innovations to the sector’s buyers and decision makers.
More than 150 talks and workshops were held to decipher the new trends of a market that aligns with consumer expectations and is set to reach €20 billion in sales in France by 2027, according to Maison de la Bio.
Patricia Berthomier-Massip, CEO of SPAS Organisation, the organisers of NATEXPO, commented, "We are proud to have persevered and gone ahead with holding this show, which marks the grand reunion of organic market stakeholders following the COVID-19 crisis.
"We are delighted to observe the enthusiasm of exhibitors and visitors who have taken real pleasure from coming together again face-to-face to exchange and build constructive ties. [...] Conviviality is one of the watchwords of this edition, which will enable professionals to continue to develop their business in a sector with extremely high growth potential."
Unveiling Latest Trends
As the only trade show to represent the entire organic market, NATEXPO 2021 reflected the impressive energy of a fast-growing sector.
This edition also showcased the sheer volume of ideas that firms have conceived to meet new expectations from society beyond organic: anti-food waste, zero packaging waste, upcycling, local sourcing, decarbonisation, seasonality, fair remuneration to all the links in the chain, etc.
The new FoodTech Village this year brought together 12 start-ups developing ambitious initiatives.
Le Lab, the exhibition and pitch forum dedicated to firms working in the circular economy and technical eco-innovation, beat all its previous records with 46 participating firms.
The new Eco-Products Eco-Services sector, which made its debut this year at NATEXPO, also met with great success.
Other Highlights
Presented during the show, the 2021 NATEXPO Awards recognised the best new products from the past 12 months.
The winning innovations are a perfect illustration of the main trends of the times – authenticity, proximity, simplicity, eco-responsibility, among others.
International professionals accounted for 13% of the attendees at NATEXPO 2021, with more than 75 countries participating in the event. Exhibitors came from 22 different countries, including Belgium, Germany, Austria, Spain, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Peru, Switzerland and Greece.
More than 2,000 business meetings were scheduled during the three-day event.
NATEXPO Digital allowed people who were unable to make the journey to enjoy the event.
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