The Food Fair
From the first day, there was a good influx of public to Alimentaria, which had 3,200 exhibiting companies and reached the record of 900 foreigners. Firms from 98 different countries attended, which represents a leap forward in internationalization. The Asians were present again, this time with countries like China, South Korea and Thailand. It is a biannual show and in the last edition there were still restrictions as a result of the covid pandemic. However, it was the Italian brands that led the foreign representation at the show.
With nearly 100,000 m2 of net exhibition area, practically the entire Fira Gran Via de l’Hospitalet de Llobregat venue was occupied. It is the place of the big fairs, with its expansion works already underway. The organization estimates an economic impact of 180 million euros.
“This edition has been a resounding internationalization success,” said the general director of Alimentaria Exhibitions, J. Antonio Valls. Of the 107,900 visitors to the show, 25% were international, from more than 120 countries. Traditionally, this event had always had a more local character.
According to Valls, “the main agents of the sector and buyers from strategic countries for the export of the food industry” met. “The show is thus consolidating itself as one of the main international business meetings in the sector,” concluded the general director of Alimentaria Exhibitions. Among those attending were 2,200 important invited buyers from “strategic markets for the export of food and hospitality equipment”, such as the European Union, the United States and Latin America. More than 13,500 meetings were organized with companies in the industry.
During the fair, the progress of the sector in offering healthier products was shown, thus responding to the concerns of its target audience. Also present was the emergence of artificial intelligence and drought, which affects the entire value chain although with different intensity in an industry that demands progress in the use of reused water to improve its efficiency. The protein boom and the latest trends in the hotel sector were also protagonists.
More than 350 activities were carried out, with the participation of nearly 700 experts and prestigious chefs. Once again, the joint celebration of Alimentaria, focused on the food industry, and Hostelco, dedicated to restaurant and hotel equipment, brought together practically the entire sector.
A hundred volunteers from the Banc dels Aliments foundation collected nearly 20,000 kilos of food and drinks that were donated by exhibitors. Now they will end up in the hands of the people most in need through the network of collaborating entities of the Banc dels Aliments.
The next edition of Alimentaria