This year’s FOODAPEST was both spectacular and professional

FOODAPEST trade exhibition was held on 21-24 February, together with the UKBA confectionery and bakery trade fair. Trade magazin was present as the official journal and as the organiser of several events. Food technology became a part of FOODAPEST and the meat, wine and pálinka segments returned after several years of absence. Nearly 20,000 visitors were lured by the exhibition and events like the Bocuse d’Or chef contest raised the attention of international media. Both the number and the composition of visitors justified that the joint FOODAPEST and UKBA exhibition was a good idea – said András Kele, Hungexpo’s exhibition director when evaluating the event. At FOODAPEST another 95 products from 20 companies were granted the Quality Food From Hungary marking – the diplomas were presented by minister of agriculture József Gráf, who pointed out that the years after EU accession were hard, but by now we implemented the necessary structural changes to remain competitive. In his opinion, what the food industry needs now is capital, to invest in technological development. At a press conference, Dr Sándor Csányi’s Bonafarm group appeared before the public for the first time. President–CEO Dr Attila Csányi told that the company’s intention was to save old Hungarian food brands and to realise vertical integration in production. Bonafarm sees good export opportunities in the Far East. Peter Ondro, the director of Debreceni Csoport Kft. spoke about their market strategy at another press conference. New packaging and new products are about to reform the Csabai and Debreceni brands. Sixteen Polish companies introduced themselves and their products at the stage in pavilion ‘A’. Sowa Marcin, a counsellor at the Polish Embassy told us that Polish food export to Hungary was at EUR 420-460 million, while Hungarian export to Poland was about EUR 250 million. Tobacco products, sweets, milk, diary products, pork and beef are the main Polish export products. Hungexpo will organise the next big food event, Hoventa on 19-22 October 2010, while FOODAPEST-UKBA will return in February 2012.