Alimentaria, the international food, beverages and foodservice trade fair is preparing its largest event for several years, positioning itself as the leading platform in Spain for the retail, consumer goods and foodservice sectors.
On 28th February, the headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and Environment in Madrid hosted a presentation on Alimentaria 2018, organised by Alimentaria Exhibitions.
This year's event will be held in conjunction with Hostelco, the international catering and hospitality trade fair, and will take place from 16 to 19 April at the Gran Vía Fira de Barcelona.
The joint holding of the two fairs will bring together the most comprehensive, cross-sector range of food, gastronomy and hospitality equipment products for industry professionals, occupying an area of more than 100,000 square metres. At this year's event, the organisers hope to attract more than 150,000 visitors.
World-Renowned
At the launch, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and Environment, Isabel García Tejerina, commented, "Alimentaria is a world-renowned brand. For 42 years, this great international event has been the most exceptional showcase for our food and beverage industry.
"It has gained undoubted prestige and is the benchmark in its category for all professionals".
Echoing her comments, the president of Alimentaria and Fira de Barcelona, Josep Lluís Bonet, added, "Food is our country’s leading industrial sector, and at Alimentaria it has the opportunity to show to the world its bastions such as high-quality, excellence of raw material and innovation; alongside a gastronomy which enjoys great international prestige.
"All this is celebrated by this trade fair, which over the last four decades has ceaselessly defended the interests and promoted business opportunities in the food sector".
Enhancing Export Potential
Alimentaria 2018 will focus on facilitating contact between exhibiting companies and international buyers, from more than 150 countries.
Europe continues to be the main region of origin of visitors to the fair (mainly Italy, France, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Germany), however there has also been a significant increase in the number of representatives from North America (United States, Mexico and Canada), Asia (China, India, South Korea, Thailand and Japan) and Latin America (Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Panama).
To implement its internationalisation strategy, Alimentaria has the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and Environment (MAPAMA) and the ICEX.
Agreements have also been signed with the Spanish Federation of Food and Beverage Industries (FIAB), the Spanish Wine Federation (FEV), the Spanish Hospitality Federation (FEHR), the Spanish Sweet Products Association (Produlce) and the Association of Companies of Mass Consumer Products (AECOC), among other organisations.
In order to promote exports, the fair has also increased investment in its Hosted Buyers programme, inviting 800 key international buyers, of whom more than half will be at Alimentaria for the first time, and prioritising importers and leading operators in the distribution and HoReCa channels.
The organisation forecasts that these professionals, along with other visitors with significant purchasing power, will take part in some 12,500 meetings with exhibiting brands.
For more information, visit www.alimentaria-bcn.com/en
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