BioFach America is booked up!

Homecoming in Baltimore is this year’s motto. The Organic Products Expo – BioFach America takes place again at the previous venue of the traditional Natural Products Expo The location seems to be extremely popular, as Nürnberg Global Fairs, the organizer of BioFach America, reports: sold out! The available display area is already fully allocated to around 200 companies. Seven German companies determined not to miss the interesting USA export market present their products in the official German Pavilion sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture. Altogether over 1000 companies are expected again at the 21st edition of the organic food exhibition. Those who have not obtained a stand space at this year’s edition of BioFach America should profit as visitors to the exhibition. The accompanying conference that starts a day before the exhibition focuses on market-relevant information.

Picture: BioFach USA 2005

“The companies have not hesitated this year,” says a delighted Till Ahnert, who is responsible for bookings at Nürnberg Global Fairs. Event Manager Frank Venjakob attributes this to the breathtaking development of the US market and the satisfaction of the exhibitors in the past years. No wonder with the rapidly rising demand for organic food in the States. Two thirds of the interviewees in a study conducted in 2004 said they eat organic products. The growth rates of the world’s top-selling market confirm the positive development year for year: Turnover in 2005 was some 15 billion dollars. The trade association OTA expects turnover to rise to 16 billion dollars in 2006. The share of the US food market held by the organic sector was about 2.5 per cent in 2005, a figure that leaves lots of potential: 97.5 per cent of the market is still to be captured.

A current example of the undreamt-of potentials is the meat market. According to a study by the London corporate consultant Organic Monitor, turnover of organic meat has increased by 150 per cent since 2002, with a rise of 51 per cent in 2005 alone. Domestic production cannot adequately meet the demand, so that the USA relies on imports for 60 per cent of its beef and pork. Organic Monitor thinks this shortage dampens growth rates. In addition to meat, other products such as milk products, spices and animal food registered the highest percentage growth rates last year.

The enormous opportunities offered by trading organic food are currently also being recognized by the giants in the conventional market. Walmart, Safeway and Supervalu are in the process of introducing their own organic concepts. World market leader Walmart has announced its intention to launch over 400 organic products in the course of this year. Competitor Supervalu opened the first of its 50 planned large stores with an organic range at the beginning of 2006.

Especially a market with so much movement is not to be underestimated by newcomers. An intensive study of the characteristics and rules of the industry, market and consumer requirements is essential for success. The accompanying conference from 4-7 October offers many interesting presentations on the US market. A Healthy Foods Conference that takes place at the same time provides additional informative insights. Tours of producers are also planned, during which newcomers can get a picture of the US market on the ground and old hands can update their knowledge. The trends in the Latin American, Asian and European organic markets are also observed and analysed.

Contacts with customers in the States or elsewhere in the world can be established best on the stands or during the events in the evening. The attendance will again be traditionally very international. Last year’s exhibitors came from 17 nations and the over 20,000 visitors came from just under 80 countries.

There are many reasons for travelling to Baltimore at the beginning of October to gather impressions and information and cultivate contacts at BioFach America. Those who were too late to get a stand space this time should note the date for next year, when it’s stage clear for BioFach America 2007 in the Baltimore Convention Center from 26-29 September.

Other BioFach events:

BioFach Japan: 21-23 September 2006
BioFach América Latina: 25-27 October 2006

http://press.nuernbergmesse.de/en/biofach_america/25.pm.2941.html