This year, WorldFood Moscow took place during a period of import substitution. Russia banned $25 billion worth of food imports from the EU, U.S. and other countries last year.
As such, current sanctions, fluctuations in the rouble, redistribution of commodity goods, changes in the structure of supply and demand, securing new suppliers, and an increase in food production in Russia were the hot topics discussed at the event.
David Barioni Neto, President, Apex Brasil, Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency stated: “For Brazil changes in the Russian market have been fruitful; it is so fantastic what is happening here. The total amount of exports to Russia is currently increasing between 20-25 percent each year. Brazil is currently exporting to Russia US$ 3.8 billion of produce (mainly meat products) and from this exhibition alone we’re expecting to make US$ 80-100 million.”
In total, 1,522 food companies from 62 countries exhibited over the four day event to network and conduct business with supermarkets, distributors, wholesalers, restaurateurs, retailers and food production companies from Russia and the CIS region.
International participation remained strong at this year’s event. Half of all WorldFood Moscow 2015 exhibitors represented international brands. 37 national groups showcased their country’s best food and drink products; the largest national group stands were from Egypt, Iran, China, Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Morocco and Saudi Arabia.
Italy, Europe’s biggest stand, comprised of 26 companies displaying pasta, conserves, confectionery, oil olive, wine and much more. Ten Italian tasting sessions for importers, distributors and restaurateurs were organized throughout the exhibition, and Italian chefs held culinary shows each day at the event. .
For the first time, the Shanxi Province of China exhibited. These companies showcased agricultural products and held cultural performances at their stand.
The exhibition attracted international exposure and was attended by a number of honored guests. These guests included Sergey Levin, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation; Sergey Doronin, Deputy Chair of the State Duma Committee on Agrarian Issues; Alexey Alekssenko, Deputy Head of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision (Rosselkhodnadzor); Viktor Semyonov, Chair of the Association of Trade Unions of the Agro-Industrial Complex of Russia (ASSAGROS), Sergey Lisovsky, First Deputy Chair of Council of the Federation Committee for Agrarian and Food Policy; Dmitry Stepanenko, Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Moscow Region; Denis Butsaev, Deputy Chair of the Moscow Regional Government; Michel Temer, Vice President of Brazil, and many more international diplomats. In addition, over 70 Russian and international media publications covered the event.
Next year, WorldFood Moscow will celebrate its 25th edition and will take place on Sept. 12 – 15, 2016. For more information, please visit www.world-food.ru/en-GB
