With 177 companies, the Pacific Alliance is present at SIAL 2018, the largest trade fair in the food and beverage sector, which takes place from October 21 to 25 in Paris (France). Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru showcase the areas in which they stand out as producers of quality food in the region, as well as the strengths that characterize the Latin American bloc.
Yesterday, in a tour run by the authorities of the export promotion agencies of the countries in the bloc, accompanied by ambassadors and businessmen, the joint inauguration of the Pacific Alliance's participation in SIAL 2018 took place, which included a tour each of the country pavilions as well as the traditional ribbon cutting ceremony. In addition, each of the countries offered a sample of their food and clothing.
Attendance details
Peru takes place at this edition of SIAL with a pavilion made up of 40 stands: 28 in the Fine Zone (Hall 8) and 12 in the Frozen Zone (Hall 5). Within the range of Peruvian exportable offerings are canned vegetables, gourmet products, dried beans and pulses, ready-to-eat products and other organic produce such as maca, lucuma, cocoa, camu camu, yacon and aromatic herbs such as oregano, marjoram, rosemary, huacatay and muña, among others. An interesting range of frozen products will also be presented: mango, strawberry, pomegranate, asparagus, avocado, pulps and concentrates.
The 38 Peruvian companies in attendance are expected to hold more than 4,000 business appointments, which would generate commercial transactions in excess of US$ 200 million over the next twelve months.
Chile comes to SIAL 2018 with an impressive range that includes dried and dehydrated fruit and nuts, processed foods and, for the first time, organic produce and functional foods, demonstrating the latest trends found in this southernmost country of the world.
Chile has three pavilions at this year's SIAL, adding up to a presence of 37 companies. Hall 8 contains Chile's institutional pavilion where ProChile, InvestChile and the export guilds, Prunes from Chile and Walnuts from Chile, are located. The country also has a presence in Hall 5, where it presents a range of dried and dehydrated fruit and nuts, as well as processed foods, represented by 31 producing companies.
At this edition of SIAL, in addition to showcasing its potential as a producer of quality and safe food, Chile will highlight what it is doing in terms of organic food, which is primarily produced for export and for which the country has an equivalence agreement with the European Union and, as of a few days ago, with Brazil. These companies - 6 in total - are situated in Hall 7, where the development of functional foods is also being made known, an industry in which the country is developing and applying technology and innovation in its processes and manufacturing.
Colombia, located at stand 8 H 063 in the National Pavilions area, arrives with a delegation of 12 businessmen, accompanied by ProColombia and led by its Vice-President of Exports, Juliana Villegas.
On this occasion, the country participates as part of the "Colombian Food, origin that excites" campaign, which showcases outstanding characteristics for food production. The products on offer from Colombian companies attending the fair include fruits, fruit pulps, coffee, panela, confectionery, sauces, flours and jams, among others.
Mexico is also attending this international trade show and does so with 90 companies, of which 46 are accompanied by ProMexico (32 in the National Pavilion and 14 in the Groceries/Gourmet Pavilion).
Mexico currently ranks 12th in world food production and 13th in agricultural crops. The main groups in Mexico's agrifood sector are: Bimbo, Femsa, Lala and Gruma.
Mexico is the leading producer/exporter of avocados and one of the leading exporters and producers of lime, coffee, papaya, malt beer, natural honey, garbanzo beans, raspberries, mangoes, orange juice, sugar cane, corn, chicken and beef.
About SIAL 2018
It is the most important food trade fair in the world. It is held every two years and around 7,020 exhibitors attend from more than 190 countries, who receive more than 155,000 visitors.