Alimentaria: opening to the East

Alimentaria, the food exhibition in Spain, one of the biggest European markets is becoming truly international. The event to be held between 10-14. March 2008 will be attended by more foreign companies than ever before. Over 1,500 foreign exhibitors and 33,000 professional visitors are expected to attend. The Spanish market may be open to specialities made by small to medium size Hungarian enterprises. The biggest Spanish retail chain, El Corte Inglés specialises mainly in textiles, which is why it is only the fourth largest food retailer. Carrefour ranks second, while Mercadona, a Spanish family business comes third. Spanish companies which had to face the same challenges 25 years ago as Eastern European businesses are facing now, are looking for new contacts in Eastern Europe.