More than 500 Bulgarian and foreign companies are doing business at MEATMANIA, BULPEK, THE WORLD OF MILK, SALON DE VIN, INTERFOOD & DRINK and SIHRE
Rumen Porozhanov, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, officially opened the largest Bulgarian and one of the most significant exhibitions in the food and horeca sector in Southeast Europe. MEATMANIA, BULPEK, THE WORLD OF MILK, SALON DE VIN, INTERFOOD & DRINK and SIHRE. The events enjoy exceptional interest and fully booked halls,starting from 7 to 10 November at Inter Expo Center. This year two of the major exhibitions -MEATMANIA and BULPEK, will celebrate their 25th anniversary. This is proof of the sustained efforts of the businesses manufacturing quality food.
"The figures indicating the development of the food market speak for themselves. Just for the first eight months of the year, the production of dairy and meat products was increased by 10-20%. Food exports are 15% higher than last year " added Minister Rumen Porozhanov.
This is the best year in the history of the exhibitions, explained the manager of Inter Expo Center Ivaylo Ivanov at the opening. Over 500 Bulgarian and foreign companies are doing business. Of these, nearly 100 are foreign companies. Italian participation is historically high this year. "For the first time, the Department of Agriculture participates in the US Embassy in Sofia will take part in the exhibitions. Because of the strong interest, we expect more than 20 000 visitors this year, " said Mr.Ivaylo Ivanov.
For more than 25 years since 1994, MEATMANIA is the only exhibition for meat and meat products that provides exceptional business opportunities for small and large companies in the sector, commented Atanas Urdzhanov, Chairman of the Management Board of the Association of Meat Processors in Bulgaria. Over the years, we have proven that BULPEK has an idea, a way to go, a direction, sustainability and also capital that generates business, "said Mariana Kukusheva, chairman of the National Branch Union of Bakers and Confectioners. At the traditional "Gold Medal" contest on November 8, we will participate with a selection of breads, this is what the market is looking for, while the European market is not a taboo for us, she underlined.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Italian Ambassador to Sofia Stefano Baldo. The Italian Investment Agency has organized a special collective participation of companies from Southern Italy. In addition, in order to expand business opportunities, the agency also organized a visit to more than 15 buyers from Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Romania, Hungary and Turkey, specified Alessandra Capobianco, Director of ITA-Italian trade agency. For Italy, the Bulgarian market is very important. The exchange between the two countries has increased four times, indicating how open the Bulgarian consumer now is to Italian food.
International participation this year is particularly strong, with an emphasis on machinery and high technology. A large number of business delegations are involved in B2B meetings with Bulgarian companies. The Bulgarian-Romanian Business Forum has built bridges between 30 Bulgarian and more than 50 Romanian companies.
The side-events program is richer than ever. Forums, live demonstrations and tastings contribute to the rich palette of the six-in-one exhibitions. The Discussion Forum "Foods -entrapped into the free market " and the forum “Clean Label. Modern generation. Shared Experience "are among the keynote topics. Smart tourism, development of new technologies, the future of agriculture after 2020 are the other different interesting events.
Undoubtedly among the most delicious culinary events this year is GASTRONOMIX, supported by The Alimentaria Experience. Chefs from famous Spanish restaurants with two-stars Michelin, Bulgarian and foreign professionals will conduct master classes in chocolate and desserts. For the third consecutive year, the organizers from the Bulgarian Barista Championship will go in search of the best baristas, while the Latte Art Coffee Championship will be held under the auspices of the World Coffee Organization. The best packages will be appreciated by the Prize Pack National Competition. The industry is also looking forward to the contest "Gold Medal with a Diploma for Quality and Original Market Products and / or Additives".
On 7th and 8th of November, for the first time within the exhibitions in front of halls 5 and 6 of Inter Expo Center there will be organized a farmers’ market Hrancoop, which will include more than 30 Bulgarian producers of fruits, vegetables, meat and traditional products.
Within the international exhibitions, the representatives of the sector from Bulgaria, Europe and all over the world will demonstrate their best and successful products in order to allow the consumer to enjoy better and healthier foods.
The full program of exhibitions can be found here: http://food-exhibitions.bg/index.php/bg/exibitors/accomp-program.
