Global trends at All Things Organic, Expo Comida Latina and All Asia Food 2009
Posted - May 19, 2009
Global trends at All Things Organic™, Expo Comida Latina and All Asia Food 2009
By O.W.N. News Network
Ethnic and specialty foods and wellness and health oriented products are among strong consumer demands. Recent studies show that in the current uncertain economic environment, consumers are evaluating what’s truly important to them. Core values such as home, health, family and sustainability are coming out on top. Organic products are now seen as a solution, not a luxury.
This coming June 16-17th, during The All Things Organic™, Expo Comida Latina and All Asia Food trade shows, entrepreneurs from the organic and natural sectors will have direct access to the hottest growth segments in today’s food market. A diverse showcase of foods and other products from all corners of the world, on display at Lakeside Center at McCormick Place in Chicago, will delight buyers from the mainstream, specialty and natural health food sectors.
According to the Organic Trade Association, U.S. sales of organic products, both food and non-food, reached $24.6 billion by the end of 2008, an impressive 17.1 percent over 2007 sales despite the economic downturn. Packaged Facts reports that consumer interest in experiencing new ethnic cuisines and flavors is expected to grow this year as well. According to Agricultural Marketing Resources the U.S. ethnic food market is strong, estimated at $75 billion in annual sales. This is the equivalent of $1 out of every $7 being spent in groceries. Packaged Facts also reports that Hispanic and Asian food retailers, both independents and chains, are expected to experience significant growth in 2009, serving both, ethnic and mainstream consumers.
In a release, show organizers indicate that top product trends this year include:
• Gourmet presentations of high nutrient foods such as caramelized flax seed, walnuts and out-of-the-box salad pairings of blueberry and basil.
• Whole and raw foods to meet consumer demand for unprocessed items .
• Biodynamic wine varietals, green tea beer and a full range of organic spirits.
• Authentic, ethnic prepared foods, exotic ingredients and flavors from markets around the world.
• Stevia, agavé and other natural low calorie sweeteners incorporated as ingredients in a variety of products, as well as stand-alone sweeteners.
Other trends still strong in the market :
• Foods including functional ingredients rich with antioxidants, Omega fatty acids and more.
• Kosher certified products that are also organic and gluten free.
• Gluten-free savory and sweet snack items, breads and prepared meals.
• Private label organic products, lead by companies such as O Organics.
• Organic and green cleaning products to satisfy consumers’ desires for healthy products beyond food.
• Green household and functional items from Fair Trade African baskets, fine linens and jigsaw puzzles that can be planted when completed to grow flowers.
More information www.organicexpo.com
Biofach China preparing to celebrate third edition
Posted - May 1, 2009
Biofach China preparing to celebrate third edition
By Lucia Lorente
Biofach China, sister fair of Biofach and organized by NürnbergMesse China Co. Ltd. celebrates its third edition this coming May 27-29th. The show management aims to host 300 Chinese exhibitors and foreign producers and exporters of organic certified products, and 10,000 trade visitors at its new venue, the INTEX Shanghai exhibition centre.
The current global economic recession has many companies around the world hesitant to venture into new markets, especially those far away from home. In China, organic consumers are mainly those in the high income level, where the recession does not really affect their preference to purchase quality high-priced goods. “The time is favourable for entering the Chinese market”, says Axel Bartkus, managing director of .NürnbergMesse China in a recent interview. “The domestic market is becoming stronger because interest and awareness are growing and the number of modern shopping facilities for organic products is increasing”, he says. “This is mutually dependent. To be successful it is always an advantage to work a market at an early stage. You sound out the market, look for partners and then launch the product.” Biofach China is also organizing a market tour to Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong, for companies not exhibiting at the fair this year, but are still interested in visiting and exploring opportunities for their lines in the world’s largest consumer market.
“In the economic centers of Shanghai and Beijing there are now some 400 outlets selling organic products”, says Jane Jiang, Exhibition Director of BioFach China. They cater to a large number of consumers who can afford to pay the high premium for organic foods. Shanghai alone hosts a million consumers in the middle income category, according to a study by the Institute of Sociology at the Chinese Academy of Social Science (CASS). Some 400,000 customers rank as wealthy reports the study. There is a new generation of Chinese entrepreneurs, eager to change their country and enjoy western imported consumer goods. On another note, Automotive News Europe reports that BMW, the world’s largest premium carmaker, said that it sold in mainland China 28 percent more cars in 2008 than in 2007.
“The Chinese organic market is still small, but growing steadily”, says Jiang. “Foreign firms offering processed foods, cosmetics, baby foods and quality organic certified ingredients not available in the domestic market yet, may find this a good moment to develop a distribution network”.
“Many companies are basically interested in China”, said Bartkus. “On the other hand, it must be admitted that there is still very little knowledge of the market in China and how to successfully place products there”. The Biofach China team receives constant requests from companies on practical tips to help develop the market “It is our job to offer the companies more help and to provide them with data, if available”. Bartkus and his team advise exhibitors not only to provide product information in English, but also a brief description in the local language and to present bilingual business cards. “The business card is one of the most important instruments for establishing business relationships in China”, said Bartkus.
International exhibitors during Biofach China 2009 include companies from France, Italy, Turkey, Australia, Malaysia, Taiwan and Korea. Germany is sponsoring a country pavilion this year, under its Federal Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV).
Expected trade visitors include importers and distributors for China, Hong Kong and neighbouring countries and other international firms exploring the potential China may offer to their line of products.
Parallel to the exhibition, the 3rd BioFach China Conference will be held on the second floor, at the International Exhibition Centre Shanghai. Topics include “How to further develop the organic market in China”, the recent discussion and modification of the “Food Safety Law”, which shows that the Chinese government will devote more attention to agriculture development and food supervision and safety issues. The trend and certification of organic cosmetics is another hot topic for discussion also in China, where international superstar Jackie Chan announced in 2006 his entry into the cosmetics industry launching an organic skin care line and in 2008 Australian firm Jasmin Skincare successfully introduced its USDA organic certified cosmetics with reported first sales order for 12 million dollars.
With over 1.3 billion citizens, China is the country with the largest population in the world and is expected to increase by about 10 million per year, hitting a peak of 1.46 billion in the 2030s”. In such a dynamic and vast market, there is certainly room for many organic enterprises to find business partners, distribution opportunities and joint ventures. Biofach China offers a great cost-effective platform to make new contacts and learn about organics in China.
More information under www.biofach-china.com
Expo West a March Success
Posted - March 30, 2009
Expo West: Busier than Ever
By Adriana Michael, O.W.N.
A cheerful spring mood filled the air in Anaheim, California the first week of March. According to show organizers “more people sold, sampled and schmoozed at this year’s Natural Products Expo West / SupplyExpo than any time in the event’s 29-year history”. Over 1,900 exhibitors from 28 countries welcomed 53,000 industry members at the Anaheim Convention Center March 5 -8, up from approximately 52,000 attendees in 2008. There were 484 firms exhibiting for the first time this year, an indication that, in spite of economic uncertainty, the interest in organics and new natural products is still strong.
“Expo West has been awesome”, says Denise de Souza, founder of MateTherapy, Brazilian natural cosmetics company that has developed a complete line with organic certified yerba mate as its main ingredient. “I saw serious buyers, who knew what they were looking for”.
Ted Campdesuner of North American Herb & Spice agrees. “It has been a good event. Established client and newcomers have stopped by.” NAH&S is one of the leading names in North America for natural supplements .Based in a good location, the booth was packed with visitors interested not only in the company’s well known products such as those based on wild oregano oil, but also in new introductions, like the Raw Amazon line, which includes pure raw Peruvian Amazon yacon root concentrate and different extracts of raw purple corn, wild fruit and camu camu, sacha inchi oil and maca.
“After all the news about the US recession, we were surprised to see such traffic every day at the show and a festive atmosphere”, said Jonna Christensen of Danish import firm NaturImporten ApS at the stand of Canadian natural cosmetics firm Suncoat. “Our sector has not felt the recession yet, but we will be in a better position to judge the situation around the summer time”, added Suncoat founder and CEO Yingchun Liu.
Natural Products Expo West runs parallel with Nutracon and SupplyExpo, featuring the latest ingredients and manufacturing supplies. It is the largest show for natural products. Its sister event, Expo East, will take place in Boston Sep 23-26, with the parallel Biofach America, which
focuses on organic certified products.
More information at www.expowest.com.
Coming Up: Sial Montreal
Posted - March 30, 2009
Coming Up! International Food Trends at Sial Montreal, April 1-3
Organic Village New Feature This Year
By Dallas Terry, O.W.N.
Over 500 exhibitors from all corners of the world are ready to welcome 10,000 North American food industry professionals at Sial Montreal this coming April 1-3 at the Palais des Congrès. Along with Canadian and US firms, this year most exhibitors displaying their latest food innovations come from Italy, France, Taiwan, Brazil and Mexico.
Innovation will continue to be one of the main focus at the event, with over 65% of Sial Montreal visitors looking for new products, at the 2nd competition of “Trends & Innovations”. Last year’s winning selections included goji berry smoothies, frozen Chinese dumplings in a bamboo steamer basket, garlic flower flavored organic sea salt, individually quick frozen organic berries and fruit pieces, rabbit chorizo and sausage, cranberry and wild blueberry juice vinaigrette infused with green tea, and organic chocolate bars. African culinary sauces, value-added coffees supporting local farmers and environmental protection, and unique ready-to-eat entrees in microwaveable, steam cooked packaging, where other highlights.
Besides taste, creativity, product presentation and convenience, this years’ “Trends & Innovations” award will also take into consideration nutrition value. How a product reflects regional and local traits, while still playing with foreign or unusual flavors and “made-to-order” foods or customization are also among main international food trends considered.
Competing exhibitors offering unique and delicious products at Sial Montreal include: Le Petit Mas, producers and distributors of Canadian organic-certified garlic, creators of a new seasoning – garlic flowers fermented in oil. Theobroma Chocolat,100 percent natural, organic, and gluten-free bars and Maison Orphee, introducing the “Discovery Pack”, a fine selection of different oils tofamiliarize consumers with the different types available.
Reflecting the growing trend for healthy foods, the Agora Nutrition forum will once again explore and present evidence of the connection between nutrition and health. The forum program will focus on obesity and health trends and is designed to allow professionals to meet and share experiences within the framework of a series of conferences.
“We are excited to exhibit at Sial Montreal”, said first time exhibitor Ming Liu, project manager of OrganicsBrasil, a government and private marketing initiative to promote organic products from Brasil in the international market. Brasil is one of the top suppliers of organic ingredients and a growing number of food processors are introducing a variety of foods such as organic cookies, jams, juices and energy bars with unique tropical fruits and ingredients. For the past four years, OrganicsBrasil has presented a large and attractive pavilion at organic oriented international fairs such as Biofach in Nuremberg, All Things Organic in Chicago and Expo West in Annaheim, California. At Sial Montreal, the project will be exhibiting along with other conventional Brazilian firms, some wine suppliers among them.
“It is great to see Sial promoting organics too”, said Chakib Azzizi of the Montreal based organic trading firm Bianca Organic International. “It shows the sector is still growing in spite of the recession”. Sial Montreal is introducing the Organic Village this year in response to a survey, where over 50 percent of visitors clearly indicated last year, interest in more organic products.
Sial Montreal is one of the sister fairs of Sial, headquartered in Paris and second largest food fair in the world. Co-located with Sial Montreal and the Agora Nutrition Forum will be Set Canada, a showcase of trends in services, equipment and technologies for the food service industries.
More information www.sialmontreal.com.
Biofach’s 20th!
Posted - March 30, 2009
Fairs: Biofach Cheerfully Celebrated 20th Anniversary
By Lucia Lorente, O.W.N.
Despite a gloomy economic environment and a snow storm that closed airports and delayed flights to Nuernberg, Biofach 2009 was once again the most successful international event for organic trade. Over 46,700 registered visitors, 38% from outside Germany, and 2,744 exhibitors from 91 countries gathered at the modern and welcoming fairgrounds to celebrate Biofach’s 20th birthday.
In addition to Germany, most exhibitors came from Italy, France, Spain and Austria, with a growing number from Holland, China and Switzerland. Denmark staged an impressive pavilion and played host as country of the year. There were several first time exhibitors, from Eastern European nations such as Bosnia, Georgia and Croatia, and others from as far away as Hong Kong, Mali and Guinea.
This year Biofach organizer NuernbergMesse GmbH launched the Sustainability Forum two days before the fair, an event that offered guests and speakers a platform to discuss sustainability issues within the organic sector, and the current global economic situation.
Vivaness, a parallel event to Biofach focusing on the natural health and beauty sectors, also reported excellent traffic and growth this year. Over 200 exhibitors located in Hall 7 of the fairgrounds introduced 70 new products to buyers and visitors. “Amazingly, we have not felt any impact of the world financial crises yet”, said Filipe Sabara, business director of Beraca, leading Brazilian supplier of ethical cosmetics ingredients.
The natural textiles area in Hall 7A was also officially launched in this fair edition, with stylish green apparel and home fashions brands.
Biofach continues its success in many areas. These include the largest display of organic certified wines in the industry, and 304 exhibitors from 23 nations enjoying the sunlit, tastefully decorated Hall 4A , where a growing display of organic olive oil producers gathered to take part in the second competition for the best olive oil at the Olive Oil Bar. The perfect ambiance was made complete by a restaurant where top chefs offered culinary delights to tantalize the senses of exhibitors, judges and buyers.
“Biofach is with no doubt one of the best fairs”, says Carla Barboto co- founder of Pacari, an Ecuadorian based producer of high quality organic certified chocolates, which buys cacao beans and other ingredients from small organic certified farmers. “Our booth was busy at all times with interested visitors from all over,” noted co-founder Santiago Peralta. Pacari introduced an exquisite line of truffles this year, made of pure raw cacao and 
presented in attractive and eco-friendly packaging.
“Biofach was excellent. We could not ask for more”, said Klaus Bentzen, export manager of Organic Danemark, umbrella organization for the promotion of the sector in this European country, which is regarded as model for successful sustainable development. “We achieved all goals beyond our expectations: Make Danemark known in the German market, and abroad with a well-attended round of seminars and presentations, attract the media to help us spread the news about what we are doing, and increase the number of contacts and network opportunities”. Denmark offered a pavillion with 40 firms showing gourmet foods, including baked goods and cereals, meats, fish, juices, smoothies and fruit concentrates, and dietary supplements and natural cosmetics.
More on Biofach Germany and its upcoming sister fairs in India, China, the United States, Japan and Brazil at www.biofach.com
Poor Economy Folds 2009 Tradeshow
Posted - January 20, 2009
Cancelled: earthNOWexpo 2009
A green retail fair scheduled for June 1-2, 2009 at the Las Vegas Convention Center has been cancelled.
earthNOWexpo, a national trade show dedicated to the green retail industry, has been cancelled due to poor sales and other organizational reasons.
Organizers report that green product manufacturers and service suppliers were reluctant to invest marketing dollars for this year’s trade show. Convention attendance has declined over the past two years thanks to ongoing budget cuts at many firms, they report.
Efforts to co-locate the show with the American Craft Retailer Expo in an attempt to revive the show failed, organizers said.
Companies contracted for exhibit space for earthNOWexpo 2009 should soon receive a letter regarding booth space refunds.
Africa at BioFach 2009
Posted - January 18, 2009
Africa Pavilion Going Strong for BioFach 2009
Africa will again makes its presence known at BioFach. After great success with its first Africa Pavilion at the 2008 edition of the Nuremberg, Germany, fair, 2009 fair visitors will again enjoy African designs, colours, sounds and flavours.
Last year, the Africa Pavilion gathered 73 exporters exhibiting from 13 African countries, generating favourable coverage and sales. This year over 100 exporters, export promotion agencies and non-governmental organizations will showcase specialities from Sub-Saharan African countries, connecting buyers and suppliers. According to organizers Grolink and Agroeco, this year, around 35 stands with 120 exhibitors from 14 African countries will be exhibiting a full range of organic certified products.
Products to be displayed include cashew nuts, cereals, cocoa, coconut oil, coffee, cotton, dairy, dried fruit, essential oils, fertilizers (organic, of course), flowers, fruits, spices, nuts, herbs, hibiscus, honey, wax, macadamia, natural products, oilseed, processed food, pulses, rice, sesame, shea butter, spices, tea and vegetables.
Countries represented are: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The 2009 Africa Pavilion will occupy 500 square metres of space; Uganda alone will occupy 90 square meters.
Products to be displayed include cashew nuts, cereals, cocoa, coconut oil, coffee, cotton, dairy, dried fruit, essential oils, fertilizers (organic, of course), flowers, fruits, spices, nuts, herbs, hibiscus, honey, wax, macadamia, natural products, oilseed, processed food, pulses, rice, sesame, shea butter, spices, tea and vegetables.
Organizations cooperating with Grolink and Agroeco in the development of the project include IFOAM, ITC, Organic Exchange, Rwanda Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, NOGAMU (a Ugandan agricultural movement), TOPAZ, Hivos and the Triodos Foundation.
If the Africa Pavilions at Biofach 2009 and 2010 show results similar to those in 2008, organizers will consider to celebrate Africa as Continent of the Year in BioFach 2011.
Visit http://www.organicafrica2009.com and send any requests to africa2009@grolink.se.
La Vita Launches New Cookies
Posted - December 18, 2008
Crunchy, Healthy Cookies Deliver Old-Fashioned Good Taste: La Vita Introduces Eight New Prebiotic Cookie Varieties
La Vita Health Foods has introduced a line of cookies with a low glycemic index that are also prebiotic, vegan and Kosher, and cholesterol, wheat, dairy and lactose-free. These La Vita All Natural Crunchy Cookies contain no high fructose corn syrup, maltitol, artificial sweeteners, or preservatives and still have a year-long shelf life.
“When family and friends visit this year, hosts can offer adults and children alike La Vita Crunchy Cookies,” said Zina Minz, founder of La Vita Health Foods. “They’re suitable for guests with special dietary needs, or just watching what they eat. As a family-run business, those values are so important to us at La Vita and are always at the forefront of our minds.”
Industry-savvy attendees at the 54th Fancy Food Show in New York City recently proclaimed the cookies the best-tasting sugar free and gluten free cookie they had tried.
“Until now, most healthy, high-fiber cookies simply have not been very enjoyable to eat,” Minz said. “We developed La Vita All Natural Crunchy Cookies to have a delicious homemade taste and fresh-baked texture that melts in your mouth.”
After two decades of research and testing in Israel and Europe, La Vita’s unique soy-flour recipes and baking processes now allow the firm to offer its nutritious alternative to “traditional” grocery-store baked goods, which usually contain artificial preservatives, colors and flavors.
La Vita Crunchy Cookies are available in eight varieties, based on classic recipes updated with a modern twist to appeal to today’s health-conscious eaters. These include Poppy Seed, delightfully matched with a whisper of light lemony goodness, Peanut Butter, for that rich, satisfying wholesomeness, and Cajun, which features cayenne, red peppers and chicory and is subtly sweet with a pleasant saltiness.
Try some out at your next party or as a gift. For once, you can be sure no one will miss the “junk” food!
About La Vita Health Foods, Inc.
Based in Monsey, New York, La Vita Health Foods is dedicated to providing consumers and retailers with the very best “Gluten-Free and Sugar-Free Foods for a Healthy Future.” Its Crunchy Cookies are available in Almond, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate, Strawberry, Poppy Seed, Raspberry Lemon, Cajun, and Peanut Butter. For more information, call (845)368-1073 or visit www.LaVitaHealthFoods.com.
New Partnership at ATO
Posted - November 9, 2008
Top Food Industry Trade Events Join Forces to Produce Health & Wellness Content
Diversified Business Communications, producers of Expo Comida Latina and All Asia Food Chicago, and the Organic Trade Association, co-producers of the All Things Organic Conference & Trade Show, announced today a strategic alliance with Progressive Grocer to develop an education program for food retailers on trends in the growing health and wellness markets.
Progressive Grocer, a leading publication for members of the retail food industry, is published by Nielsen Business Media.
Co-located with the 2009 All Things Organic in Chicago, the new program will add multicultural, specialty, and health and wellness products to the lineup of organic products. This new combination creates a forum for buyers across retail, foodservice, distribution and manufacturing to enjoy valuable educational opportunities and source products that will help them stay competitive.
“Progressive Grocer’s retail market expertise, backed by the research and data analysis of Nielsen, will add a unique benefit to Diversified’s already attractive event offering,” said Stephen Dowdell, editor in chief of Progressive Grocer.
The Health & Wellness conference complements the already robust organic education program produced by the Organic Trade Association, and will focus on retail trends, consumer nutrition trends, health needs and personal care. Designed to give retail management and decisionmakers information on this growing trend, the program will tackle topics such as merchandising best practices, educating consumers, in-store nutrition guides and merchandising for health conditions.
“This unique partnership with Progressive Grocer allows us to offer retail buyers first-time access to content-rich education and trend analysis. The goal is to give buyers a resource to identify and anticipate the key trends and growth opportunities shaping this market,” said Liz Plizga, show director for All Things Organic, Expo Comida Latina and All Asia Food.
In an effort to offer additional product depth for attendees, show producers have also added a specialty food pavilion to the show floor.
Bring on the Lipstick!
Posted - November 6, 2008
Economic crises prompt up-turn in small, feel-good luxuries
Smart cosmetics firms stand to benefit from the world’s current economic troubles. While female shoppers may be pinching the pursestrings on big-ticket items, many in the industry agree that more money is spent on small luxuries like lipstick during recessions.
Feeling down? Spend a bit to brighten your lips and look your best.
Mr. Leonard Lauder of cosmetics giant Estee Lauder told Magazin, the magazine offshoot of German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, that the “Lipstick Index” rose after the now-infamous date of Sept. 11, 2001. The article in the October issue of Magazin says Lauder’s US lipstick sales doubled that year!
With more conscientious consumers seeking organic options, lipsticks that are healthy for the lips, the land, and the looks are a choice more ladies looking for a little luxury may make. Organic Monitor estimated in May that organic and worldwide natural cosmetics sales would reach $7 billion by the end of 2008 – fully $1 billion more than last year’s total. Forward-thinking Germany, meanwhile, saw that category reach 5% of the total German cosmetic market in 2007, a portion valued at 613 million EUR.
Amongst the many events confirming the continued success of this industry, Vivaness stands out as one that brings the whole world of natural cosmetics together. The annual event has been held since 2006 and is co-located with BioFach Nuremberg.
With Europe’s leading certification agencies for cosmetics developing a harmonised standard for natural cosmetics, to be available later in 2008, it could be time for consumers to step up to the plate and try more of the organic beauty products that are now available to them when they really want that little treat.
Sources:
http://sz-magazin.sueddeutsche.de/texte/anzeigen/26877
http://www.biofach.de/de/press/ars12/ars25/?arspageid=25.pm.4682
