- Over 2,900 exhibitors and 66,000 visitors expected at the event, to be held in May 2016
- The exhibition can help fulfil PM Modi’s vision of developing F&B exports to China, thereby reducing the trade deficit between the two nations as well developing trade links with the 60+ countries represented at the event
New Delhi, 19th January 2016: SIAL China, the Asian edition of the world-famous SIAL exhibition today announced the event, to be scheduled from May 5-7, 2016 at SNIEC, Shanghai. At the event, industry stalwarts participated in a discussion on how SIAL China can help develop the balance of trade between India and China as well as act as a sourcing platform for innovative food products from over 60 countries.
Mr Tribhuvan Darbari, Director General of the Chindia Chamber of Commerce presented the highlights of trade between India and China and in particular the widening trade deficit between the countries. He commented, “While Food & Beverage is an industry that is often overlooked when considering Indo-China trade, it offers a range of opportunities that Indian importers and exporters can capitalize on for future development.” He explained that greater Indian participation at SIAL China can help develop F&B exports to contribute to Prime Minister Modi’s vision of redressing the balance of trade between the two countries. Mr Darbari further mentioned, “India should play to its strengths. We are the leading producer of milk in the world and transformed products such as milk powder or ice cream can be considered for export to China. Export of spices, beverages, confectionary, fresh and processed specialty fruits such as mangoes can also be developed.”
Moreover Mr Antoine Lewis, Food and Wine writer, further commented that “SIAL China is the largest F&B trade event in Asia and 65% of its exhibitors are international. Trade can be developed with any of the 60+ countries represented at the exhibition. SIAL China is ideally placed suited to cater to the changing requirements of food consumption in India.” As demonstrated by a 2014 study by National Council of Applied Economic Research, there are vast changes in the daily food habits of Indian households as income levels have risen. Indians have moved away from traditional cereal and seasonal produce based diets towards high value produce such milk, eggs, chicken and exotic vegetables.
He added that “Living in a globalized world, with new information on international food trends always at hand, is changing how urban India relates to food. Traditional foods are slowly making way for menus that include foreign dishes and there is increasing demand for international ingredients in home and food services cooking. Quinoa, parmesan, sriracha and ramen noodles are now as familiar to the home cook as rajma or paneer. SIAL China is a one-stop shop for sourcing new and exciting ingredients for Indian consumers.”
Mr Bjoern Kempe, Exhibition Director, SIAL China, then took the floor to present the next session of SIAL China 2016. He said that China is world’s largest consumer market and its food market is forecasted to exceed 1.73 trillion USD by 2018:“Chinese are savvy consumers and are interested in products that are high quality, exotic, safe and novel. Oils, animal and vegetables fats, sea food, dairy products, cereals, wine, sugar, beer and poultry, are some of the major Chinese food imports. Indian participation at SIAL China should diversify into the strength of the agro-processing industry. Grocery, Beverages and Confectionary products are some of the areas in which Indian processed foods could excel. As a developing agricultural powerhouse, India is well positioned to supply China for its import needs.”
He also added that at SIAL China, the Indian visitor will be able to discover gourmet products from a range of 60 participating countries, “SIAL China is an ideal platform to identify new and exciting ingredients that could be served in Indian households in the future”. As India’s food and beverage ambitions evolve, events like SIAL China are even more ideally situated to provide opportunities for developing imports and exports in this key industry sector.
About SIAL China (www.sialchina.com):
An annual exhibition, SIAL China is China’s largest Food and Beverage exhibition. In 2015, the exhibitions expects:
l 2,734 premium exhibitors and 65,000 professional visitors from over 90 countries and regions
l Poland as Guest Country of Honor
l France, Australia, Tunisia, Switzerland, Spain, South Africa, Morocco, Korea, Portugal, Thailand, Italy, USA, Turkey, Poland, Germany, Belgium, Ireland, Canada, Brazil, UK and more as international pavilions
l Showing knowledge and inspiration in SIAL Retail & Hospitality Forum
l La Cuisine by SIAL endorsedby World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS)
l Discover latest food trends at SIAL Innovation
l Inspiring business at SIAL Business Meetings
l In co-location with SIAL WINE WORLD, China’s premium and qualified platform