Five Pacific exporters from Fiji, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea took part at the 27th edition of the prestigious SIAL Paris show this year.
“I’m really happy with the professional presentation of our exhibitors and the visitor response to the Pacific Islands Trade booth at SIAL Paris 2016” Robyn Ekstrom, Pacific Trade & Invest (PT&I) Geneva’s Trade Promotion Adviser Europe, said.
“The exhibitors put their hearts and souls into making the most of the opportunity to showcase their products and engage on a personal level with prospective customers.
It was also gratifying to see that not only are Pacific companies making real inroads into Europe, the profile and credibility of the Pacific region as a viable source of high quality, innovative food and beverage products is also gaining traction among international customers,” she added.
Foods Pacific Limited from Fiji returned to PT&I’s European market entry platform for the third year running.
“The benefits that accrue with consistent market visibility at key events were quite evident this year. It seemed that every time I turned around, there was an intense business discussion under way in our meeting area and Hoshedar Poonawalla, Food Pacific’s Business Development Manager indicated that two new customers had been secured during the show,” Ms Ekstrom said.
But embarking on their first foray into the European market was boutique Virgin Coconut Oil producer, Niugini Organics.
Pauline Cleaver, International Marketing Manager summed up her experience saying, “SIAL was both intriguing and overwhelming.
It provided an opportunity for so much learning and benchmarking, with some of the best information and ideas coming from the informal chats we had with the other exhibitors from the Pacific Islands group and our international neighbouring stands.
“Robyn was of great assistance, giving perspective and advice. I would like to thank Pacific Island Trade and Invest for the opportunity and the results that will hopefully be achieved as we follow up our leads over the next few months.”
Occurring every two years, alternating with ANUGA (Allegemeine Nahrungs und Genubmitle Ausstellung), SIAL (Salon International de l’Alimentation) Paris 2016 featured 7000 exhibitors (85 per cent of which were international) and even more brands.
Virtually all food and beverage sectors are represented at SIAL and data capture indicates that over 155,000 verified trade visitors attended this year from not only the European Union but also the rest of Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
“The closing of the doors on the 27th edition of SIAL Paris on October 20, was greeted with a sigh of relief for exhausted exhibitors and the realisation that this marked the beginning of the next intensive period of follow up work required to turn contacts and potential into customers and sales,” Ms Ekstrom said.