Alimentaria closes its most international show with 30 per cent of foreign visitors

Last Thursday Alimentaria closed its most international, gastronomic and innovative show, which has been demonstrated by the increase in foreign visitors ¿42,000 from 141 countries¿  and the arrival of major buyers from around the world who took part in over 10,000 business meetings with exhibitors, 25% more than in 2012. The presence of chefs that hold 50 Michelin stars between them and the presentation of a large variety of innovative products have cemented the fair as a major platform for the internationalisation and exposure of the agr-food industry. Alimentaria 2014 fulfilled forecasts with over 140,000 visitors, who visited the different pavilions of the Fira de Barcelona Gran Via Exhibition Centre during the 4-day trade show. In this way, the show successfully ended a new edition to the generalised satisfaction of exhibitors and high expectations of bringing national and international business deals to fruition in the coming months. Alimentaria has taken yet another step in the internationalisation process with an increase in visitors and business meetings with participants from the five continents aimed at promoting foreign sales. The number of international visitors was up 2% to reach 42,000, 30% of the total. Moreover, the show attracted over 600 top foreign buyers, 50% more than in 2012: major importers and distributors from Europe, Asia, Latin America and the USA, who participated in over 10,000 business meetings with exhibitors, 25% more than at the previous edition. The President of Alimentaria and of Fira de Barcelona, Josep Lluís Bonet, said "the fair has fulfilled its main objective to serve as support and leverage in the internationalisation of SMEs in the sector, for which export and exposure to new markets are no longer just options but requirements".  For his part, the CEO of Alimentaria Exhibitions and the show's top executive, J. Antoni Valls, said "this year, the show has been prominent for the increase in professionalization and quality of attendees, giving around 3,800 participating companies the opportunity to do business, make trade contacts and gain access to international markets". Gastronomy, innovation and business Moreover, this edition has been, undoubtedly, the most gastronomic. The new space "The Alimentaria Experience", with a totally innovative format, was very well received by the public, who were able to see the culinary skills of Spanish cuisine's major figures, such as Joan Roca, Carme Ruscalleda and Pedro Subijana, among many others. Over 50 chefs, who hold 50 Michelin stars between them, participated in over fifty show cooking sessions. In other culinary activities, 5,000 people took part in the oil tasting sessions, over 10,000 in the wine tasting (Vinorum) and more than 2,000 in Spain, Land of 100 Cheeses. The Alimentaria Hub has again been the show's think tank, with over 50 speakers who analysed the present and future of the sector in the Congress on the Mediterranean Diet; the 2nd Nestlé Forum, "Creation of Added Value", on nutritional challenges of the 21st century; and the FIAB innovation and Technology meetings, among other events. The Innoval space showcased almost 300 new launches, among which brands such as Nice Fruit, Nestlé, Maggi, Nutriblock and Danone won awards. It is estimated that, this evening, volunteers from the Fundació Banc dels Aliments (Food Bank Foundation) will collect over 20 tons of food and beverages donated by Alimentaria exhibitors. 22 tons of glass containers used during the fair are also expected to be recycled.