CIBUS 2014 TO FEED ITALIAN CUISINE'S GLOBAL SUCCESS
By Stefania Fumo
11 dicembre, 17:11
(ANSA) - Parma, December 11 - Leading Italian food fair
Cibus will hold its 17th edition in the northern city of Parma
on May 5-8, organizers said Wednesday.With one in five 'Made in Italy' food products sold abroad, and almost 40% of the country's food businesses currently operating on foreign markets, the sector remains a growing one even in times of crisis: in 2013, Italian food exports grew by 6.5% over the previous year, with 62.5% going to other European markets, 10.6% to the US, 1.8% to Latin America, 1.5% to Australia, 1.7% to the Middle East, 5.3% to Asia and 0.7% to Southeast Asia. Organized by national food-and-drink association Federalimentare and Parma Fairs, the event is slated to draw buyers and operators from around the world, with the overall objective of making Italian companies ever more projected towards foreign markets. "Recent food export data remains positive, so Cibus 2014 is aptly placed to seek out every possibility of developing and supporting the export-oriented aspect of Italian businesses," said Federalimentare President Filippo Ferrua.
The fair will have a wide-ranging program, including novelties such as a prize for the foreign chain that best promoted Made-in-Italy products, an event on travel retail called "Feeding Sales", and a Parma University conference on the future of sales promotion. Also on the agenda will be a section entirely dedicated to Italian sparkling wines, aptly named "Cibus Bubbles", areas on organic food and nutrition, and more.
"We must capitalize on our distinctive skills by forging alliances with leading operators in our target markets," explained Parma Fairs CEO Antonio Cellie. "For example, we set up a joint venture with the Cologne Fair, guaranteeing our exhibitors maximum visibility on the Asian market thanks to privileged access to the Thai trade fair Thaifex. Cibus will be heading to China and South America next, thanks to our alliances with other leading trade fairs".
Cibus 2014 will welcome buyers from retail chains such as Globus Gourmet (Russia), HeB (US), Grupo Pao de Acucar (Brazil), Aeon (Japan), Rewe (Germany), Intermarche (France), Jumbo (Holland), Loblaw (Canada) and Delhaize (Belgium). In another highlight, leading US brand-builder Daymon Worldwide will also set up a stand for what will be its first time at an Italian food fair, bringing foreign buyers and retailers with it.
