BioFach China grows further

BioFach China takes place at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center (SWEECC) for the first time from 28 to 30 May. Thanks to the progress made by the event over the last few years, the INTEX exhibition venue is no longer big enough and a move within the city of Shanghai became unavoidable. Organically produced food and natural cosmetics will be the focus of China’s most important organic trade fair, which takes place for the ninth time in 2015. 360 exhibitors from all over the world are expected at BioFach China 2015 (there were 345 in 2014), and as well as a Taiwanese pavilion, there will be a Danish pavilion for the second time, only this time it will be significantly larger than the Scandinavian country’s last pavilion. In addition, the “Online Organic Food Retailer Sourcing Summit”, which includes a panel discussion and a matchmaking activity, will make its debut.

Picture: BioFach China opening cermony in Shanghai, May 2014

Chinese organic market developing well

A market study carried out by the Organic and Beyond Corporation (OABC) also indicates that the Chinese market offers good business opportunities for European organic companies who want to export their products to China. The certification guidelines are very strict, but China’s consumers want safe and healthy food. Dairy products, wine, baby food, olive oil and grain products are especially popular, and organic consumers mainly buy them at luxury supermarkets, at organic specialist stores or online (see our earlier report).

China is a major organic export country as well. In 2013, 246,000 tonnes of organic goods were exported to 23 countries and regions around the world. Besides the USA, the main importing countries are Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and France. Soya beans are China’s chief export, though its tea, fruits, nuts, vegetables and grains are purchased by many too.

New: Online Organic Food Retailer Sourcing Summit

BioFach China is latching on to the trend towards e-commerce in a conceptual manner. On the second day of the 2015 event, for example, the trade fair’s first Online Organic Food Retailer Sourcing Summit takes place. Here, organic suppliers, traders, online traders and potential customers will meet in a matchmaking format and discuss the following questions among other things: How can organic companies adopt e-commerce successfully? What is the best way to address consumers? The discussions will concentrate on the Chinese market. The matchmaking will be combined with a panel discussion on the successful development of e-commerce in the organic food industry. Speakers from Organic & Beyond, Töpfer, Hona Organic and other organisations will be taking part here. The summit will be concluded with a happy hour in which the speakers and attendees can mingle and engage in conversation.

Once again the trade fair includes a conference organised by the China Organic Food Certification Center (COFCC) and NürnbergMesse China this year. More information on the programme will be available from the middle of April here. There will also be a special show during which regional products from various Chinese provinces will be presented and introduced in short presentations. Visitors will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite products and favourite organic region in China, and the winners will be awarded a prize on the last day of the trade fair.

More informations here