Many highlights at BioFach 2008

More than 2700 exhibitors and organisers at the Nuremberg trade fair (NürnbergMesse) – and all of them over the moon. When BioFach, the World Organic Trade Fair for organic products, drew to a close in Nuremberg, about 46,500 had come through the doors, which is a slight increase over last year. In many countries, the organic industry is undergoing double digit growth, a fact that could well mean exhibitors will again get plenty of business in the wake of the fair. Particular highlights this year were the Wine Hall, the Africa Pavilion and, or course, Vivaness, the trade fair for natural personal care and wellness.

Picture: Media scrum round Gérard Depardieu at the opening

The press flocked to the opening event at this year’s BioFach, which was celebrating its tenth anniversary in Nuremberg. The well known actor, wine grower and gastronome Gérard Depardieu was the star guest (picture above). No doubt he was the reason why dozens of journalists from radio, television and the print media, camera teams and photographers had sought official accreditation at the press centre. His appearance was certainly a media sensation, but in fact it was the Nuremberg mayor, Ulrich Maly, who won over the hearts and minds of the public. In the mayor’s speech welcoming everyone to BioFach he confessed, with great wit and charm, that his hobby was cooking organic food. Among other things, he asked why Mr Seehofer, the Secretary of State for Agriculture, had once again not taken it upon himself to turn up for the opening ceremony. IFOAM President, Gerald Herrmann, called the international umbrella organisation of the organic movement the “UNO of Organics”. In the name of IFOAM, the patron of BioFach, he called on all companies to take on their share of responsibility, but he also called on politicians to show a higher level of support. In his view, there was one solution in the face of the many challenges of the present and the future: “The solution is organic.” (picture: Bionade model)

The media interest that focused on the opening ceremony continued during the following days of BioFach. For example, Bavarian Radio’s ‘Studio Franken’ had six reporters on the job and supplied other radio stations with commentary and pictures. This year, stricter entry checks meant that the number of visitors flocking to the fair from 21 to 24 February increased by only 2 % (around 1000 more than the 45,469 in 2007). With a rise of 4 %, international visitors accounted for 37 % of the total; the visitors professionally involved in the organics industry came from about 120 countries, mainly Austria, Poland, Netherlands, Italy and France. They were all keen to get the latest information on new products, trends and market activity worldwide in the growing organic sector, and they were duly impressed by what was on offer in the year-on-year improving ambience of BioFach. The continuing rise in the number of exhibitors (2764 compared with 2547 in 2007) is testimony to the healthy development of the fair. And it’s no surprise that the mood of the visitors and most exhibitors alike was very up-beat. Claus Rättich from the management of NürnbergMesse expressed his satisfaction: “BioFach and Vivaness were once again a great success.”

This year wine was on display for the first time in the new natural-light Hall 4A (picture). Over the four days, 347 exhibitors from 23 nations introduced the public to their top wines. As well as Germany, not just the leading organic wine growers – Italy, Spain, France and Austria – were present, but also Chile, Greece, Portugal, Switzerland and South Africa. Long tables with hundreds of wines were there for visitors to taste, and they did so with gusto until Sunday afternoon. The new Wine Hall, with its generous proportions and specialist staff, experienced a brilliant premiere. The wide variety on display in central section that was created by the wine import company Peter Riegel was a major attraction. Sales Manager Henry Mühlbauer was thrilled by the response, and he said that to judge by the interest, “French Kiss” could become a best seller.

Vivaness Hall 7A was once again one of the focuses of attention at the fair. Because companies had shown such a high level of interest, Vivaness had to extend into neighbouring Hall 7. This was the second Trade Fair for Natural Personal Care and Wellness, and it was the showcase for 196 exhibitors. There were manufacturers of natural personal care from 22 countries, principally German companies, but also many from France, Italy, Switzerland and Great Britain. Making their first appearance were Israel, Latvia, Morocco, Portugal, Sweden, Spain and Turkey. Long rows of new products were there for all to see.

According to a BioFach survey, almost 20 % of the specialist visitors came to Nuremberg exclusively on account of Vivaness. But 56 % of BioFach visitors included Vivaness in their tour of the fair as a whole. Although the exhibitors said that the stricter entry controls clearly made themselves felt, specialist visitors thronged to the stands to test new products and talk about them. The exhibitors’ assessment of the visitors’ level of expertise was on the whole very positive and this meant pleasing and productive interaction for the people on the stands. “We were able to give customers all our attention and concentrate on this one activity,” said Rosi Weber, Managing Director of Biogarten. Natural personal care is still a trend. That was obvious not just in the halls but also in the degree of interest in the Vivaness Congress. The ten events of the Vivaness Forum attracted a grand total of around 800 participants. (picture: Always people in the internet café)

Mildred Steidle from Organic Services, who on behalf of NürnbergMesse is responsible for the Congress programme, is very pleased with the programme itself and the feedback: “With 117 lectures and seminars in our programme this year, even more BioFach visitors found topics of interest to them. That’s very positive and shows that there is a great need out there for information, discussion and training. About 20 % of all specialist visitors took part in the programme of events.” Over the four days, the panel discussions were an especially welcome feature. They dealt with topics affecting the future of the organic trade, the industry report Natural Personal Care, and the Future Institute’s view of the Lohas movement, and they addressed market strategies and regionality. One of the key events with around 170 visitors (picture) was “The Future of the Organic Trade, Challenges of Growth” with Thomas Dosch (Bioland), Bruno Fischer (Hain-Celestial), Josef Wilhelm (Rapunzel), Ulrich Hamm (University of Kassel), Josef Spanrunft (Basic) and Thomas Roeb (Fachhochschule Bonn). On the Friday and Saturday, the Naturkostakademie held 18 talks and presentations. The topics were “Shaping the Future – with Organics and Added Value” and how to work together. The speakers were well prepared and the audience had plenty to take away with them.

Helga Willer had compiled the figures for organic agriculture worldwide ready for BioFach. Compared with 2006, the area of land under organic cultivation in 2007 grew by 1.8 million ha to 30.4 ha. More than a third is to be found in Australia/Oceania and just under a quarter is in Europe. These are the most important observations of the latest study of organic agriculture worldwide that was introduced at BioFach. According to Organic Monitor, the global organic market experienced double digit growth in 2006 and reached a total of 38.6 billion US-dollars. Compared with 2005, the market has grown by five billion US-dollars. Healthy growth is also anticipated for 2007 and the years to come. IFOAM Director Angela Caudle de Freitas emphasised the point that the continuing demand for organic products offered opportunities for producers in developing countries in particular. The new data for 2006 come from the study “The World of Organic Agriculture – Statistics and Emerging Trends 2008” that has just appeared. (picture: Stand of the Association of the Organic Food Industry – BÖLW)

Since the biggest organic event in the world is getting even bigger, there is now an urgent need to divide up the fair and structure it clearly in particular sections. There was progress in this respect this year: the clear layout and routes made it easier for visitors to find their way round. For the most part, they don’t have time to look round all the halls in detail. After setting up halls specifically for wine and natural personal care, a separate hall was allocated this year to Bioland (picture: Introducing a cook book produced by Bioland and Biohotels). “This was really born out of necessity,” explains Thomas Dosch, the national chairman of Bioland, and he went on to say that the solution had proved to be very satisfactory. The green border on the folding plan of the fair was eye-catching and promotion staff did a good job in drawing attention to Hall 8. New exhibitors too saw BioFach in a very positive light. The much appreciated congenial atmosphere is once again a feather in the cap of the world’s leading organic trade fair. BioFach is renowned for its flair, much of which is down to the presence of a host of international exhibitors and visitors. Newcomers to BioFach are captivated by the atmosphere that is regarded so highly by visitors, media representatives and organisers alike.

This year, the Africa Pavilion (picture) was the focus of much attention in the international section. The open layout and the exotic specialities were very popular with lots of people. A special area in Hall 4 was occupied by over 100 people and their stands, which presented a wide product range from many African countries. Interested parties came together to discuss business with organisers of production cooperatives and export companies. Live background music from the top level of one of the stands created an authentic atmosphere. (There will shortly be a detailed report on the Africa events.)

The next time the international organics industry meets will be 19-22 February 2009 in Nuremberg (Messezentrum Nürnberg). On that occasion, Denmark will be ‘Country of the Year’. The Danes have already shown their involvement and prepared the way by giving a press conference with the Minister of Agriculture. About 20 exhibitors in Hall 1 advertised Danish organic products under the generic brand name Organic Denmark (picture), and a smaller group of six exhibitors, “Organics from Denmark” (Bio aus Dänemark) were located in Hall 5. It became clear from what we have seen of the Danes that for 2009 a country with huge organic commitment has been found that is waiting to present itself to a wider public.