The event, which is one of the biggest in the region for food ingredients, will feature a cross-section of players in the industry, both from the region and internationally.
Exhibition organisers CMP claim that following the enlargement of Europe, the food ingredients business in the region now offers more opportunities than ever. As of 1 May every country in the Central European region, except Romania and Bulgaria, became a full member of the European Union. In one swoop this event opened up the new Member States of Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic to a market with a total population of 445 million.
Poland is the largest of these markets and is also one of the most advanced. But it is the Czech Republic which leaves the way. Indeed much of its food and beverage consumer patterns match those found in Western Europe.
However, the biggest market of all is found in Eastern Europe - Russia. The combined total food sales in the CEE region are estimated to be €166 billion, but Russia accounts for approximately $100 billion of the total sales, indicating the enormity of the market there.
"Until now ingredients the ingredients shows we have organised in the region have tended to focus on a national level, with exhibitions carried out for largely local audiences in countries like Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic and Russia," CMP events organsier Editha Derksen told CEEFoodIndustry.com. "The FiCEE show aims to provide a to link up for the region's ingredient industry as well as a gateway for international company's wishing to penetrate Central and Eastern Europe."
The event will also cover a series of conferences which will discuss issues that affect ingredients manufacturers in the region. Topics covered will include Hygeine legislation, Industry self-regulation for food additives, Product design, consumer expectations, Risk assessment and labeling requirements.
According to Derksen some 130 companies have confirmed that they will be exhibiting the show, several having just taken to definitely be present this week. Registration is said to be up by 40 per cent on last year's figures with some 2,500 visitors expected to attend. She added that most exhibitors were from the region, with company's from Russia, the Czech Republic and Poland featuring prominently. However Derksen also emphasized the fact that a number of companies from both Western Europea and China would also be present.
A selection of companies exhibiting
Alpavit Käserei Champignon is on Stand 216 and is part of Hofmeister Group. It is responsible for the production and sales of dried products such as lactose (edible and pharma), spray dried skimmed- and whole milk powder, roller dried whole milk powder, cream powder, whey protein concentrates, whey powder.
Royal Buisman Dairy Export BV, Stand 116, has a long experience and reputation for producing and exporting butter all over the world. In 2001 it concentrated its butter production in a brand state-of-the-art ISO and HACCP certified factory in Europe. It offers its butter in 25kg and 20kg blocks for industrial use as well as in a wide range of consumer packs.
Changzhou Niutang Chemical Plant, Stand 121, was founded in 1969 and is the biggest aspartame manufacturer in China. It also produces feed additives and pharmaceutical intermediate. Ninety per cent of its output is exported, ISO9001 and HACCP Certified. Main products: aspartame, trichlorosucrose, l-phenylalanine, folic acid, l-asparagine monohydrate, dl-aspartic acid.
Commercial Freeze Dry, Stand 221A, and sister company Dry and Danish Freeze Dry are among the largest European manufacturers of freeze dried herbs, fruits, meats, seafood and vegetables. Ramson, a wild growing plant with a tasty garlic flavour, is their newest launch.
Galactic, Stand 110, is a Belgian company which produces natural L(+) lactic acid, sodium and potassium lactates, calcium lactate and all mineral lactates. It has developed tailormade blends for the meat and confectionery industry, amongst others. It will show new developments in its Galimax range.
JB Cocoa, Stand 232, is the newest cocoa grinder in Malaysia having started operations in July 2003. Being new, the plant (50,000M tonnes annual capacity) is equipped with the state-of-the-art machinery and technology and comply with renowned international quality and food safety Standards. It offers a wide range of high-quality African blend cocoa powder.
Kievit, Stand 118, is a specialist in encapsulated food ingredients. The results of its activities are functional and innovative encapsulated ingredients which provide foam, taste, flavour, texture, colour, energy and/or health. It will show examples of spray-dried and encapsulated oil- and fat powders (DHA,EPA) for enhanced nutrition.
Worlée NaturProdukte, Stand 204, offers a range of quality certified air-dried and freeze-dried food ingredients. It has worldwide strategic alliances, global sourcing and total quality management, backed up by modern processing facilities including equipment for germ reduction.