BISNIS - NIS Agribusiness Report
SEP 95


PRESS RELEASE

WORLD FOOD '95

FOURTH-YEAR EXHIBITION STRONGER THAN EVER


**Disclaimer: The following conference announcements are provided strictly as a courtesy and do not constitute formal sponsorship on the part of BISNIS or the U.S. Department of Commerce.


August 18, 1995, WILTON, CT USA... Comtek International announced today that World Food '95, the premier agro-food exhibition in Russia, has attracted more exhibitors from more countries then ever before. With over 550 exhibitors from 50 countries, the fourth annual World Food has grown 25% over last year and remains by far the most global agro-food event in the region.

At World Food '95, to take place from November 13-17 at the Krasnaya Presnya Exhibition Center in Moscow, leading international food and beverage, food processing and packaging companies will meet buyers from throughout Russia and the entire CIS. The event is organized by Comtek International (USA) and Crocus International (Russia).

Over 18 countries will feature government-sponsored pavilions, including: Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Finland, Great Britain, India, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Turkey, and the USA.

Categories to be represented are: agriculture products, baby food, baking equipment, beverages, confectionery and snacks, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, food ingredients, food processing equipment, hotel & restaurant food equipment, meat and poultry, packaging, refrigeration and transportation, seafood, and wines & spirits.

DOMESTIC DECLINE FUELS DEMAND FOR IMPORTS

World Food '95 exhibitors will find a fertile market for their products, as Russian demand for imports continues to rise. Imports in 1994 increased 5-10 fold over 1993. Foreign food and drink now account for some 45% of total imported goods. The Russian food industry is responding by upgrading their plants with foreign technology, thus stimulating demand for the food processing and packaging equipment. The growing market for western products and technology is reflected in the expansion of World Food.

FOOD AND TECHNOLOGY GROWTH

World Food '95 will host 40 fruit and vegetable companies, nearly three times as many as last year. Since the domestic fruit market only meets about 50% of Russia's demand, the country relies on imports to make up the difference. In 1994, Russia imported 3 million tons of fresh and processed fruit products. The current market is estemated at 6 million tons - the potential market is forcast at 8 to 9 million tons.

Forty companies from 14 countries will exhibit meat products at World Food '95, representing a two-fold increase over last year. The surge in meat companies at the show corresponds to the increased demand for imported beef in Russia. Russians need imported meat to supplement their sharply declining beef supplies.

Over 50 companies from 15 countries will showcase confectionery and snack products at World Food '95 - twice as many as last year. Confectionery and snack companies are discovering that Russia offers a rich market for their products. In 1994, Russia spent a total of 5 billion U.S. dollars on confectionery and cookies alone.

The food processing and packaging categories have more than doubled in size. The beverage category has also grown at least two-fold, with over 50 companies displaying alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

WORLD FOOD MESSAGE TO REACH FROM MOSCOW TO MAGNITOGORSK

To capture their targeted audience of 45,000 qualified attendees, the show organizers have planned an extensive promotional campaign for World Food '95. Advertisements and articles in major newspapers and trade journals plus radio and television announcements will carry the message that World Food is the most significant agro-food event in Russia.

Drawing on an extensive database, the organizers will send invitations to thousands of agents, dealers wholesalers, state and privatized farms and privatized plants. As in the past three years, visitors will come to World Food '95 from throughout Russia and from other CIS countries such as Ukraine, Byelorus, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

World Food '95 will be enriched this year by a three-day educational seminar program sponsored by major Russian food trade publications. The seminars will address current issues facing the food and beverage, food processing and packaging industries. All visitors will be invited to attend the seminar program.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Comtek International
43 Danbury Road
Wilton, CT 06897 USA
Tel: 203/834-1122
FAX: 203/762-0773
Exhibitor contact: Jeff Malley, Director of Sales and Marketing
Press contact: Amy Gillett, Marketing coordinator.