|
 The B2B trade fair this year surprisingly had more number of consumer-visitors than trade. With participation from more than 180 companies from across the globe, including pavilions from Argentina, Afghanistan, Thailand, Korea, Europe and USA, the fair this year had many other attractions.
One of the major eye-catchers was the ‘Tastes of Europe’ pavilion that held a number of wine tastings and workshops on European food and wines. Besides that, the European Dining area, the Korean pavilion with more than 20 participating companies, Greece pavilion and the U.S department of agriculture pavilion made the fair definitely worth the visit.
The beverage training company Tulleeho also conducted ‘World of Wines’ sessions during the event. While Food and Beverage trainer & consultant, Ajit Balgi, conducted the tastings of ‘Wines of France and Austria’, Tulleeho’s Wine and spirits Trainer, Sweta Mohanty conducted the sessions on ‘Wines from Korea, Thailand and Germany’.
There were also spaces dedicated to the Ministry of Food Processing, Government of India, and Spanish Food & Drink Industry Federation India besides other international and Indian agro-trade bodies. The Indian wine companies present at the fair were Nasik based wine company, Fusion Wines which showcased its range of wines-Fiorato, Vita and Amoroso and the company Deccan Plateau.
 EU’s participation in the event comes at a time when there are still intense negotiations going on regarding the establishment of a EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA). India’s stand on the labelling rules pertaining to the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) is creating havoc in the imported wine and spirits segment.
Interestingly EU’s presence at the Annapoorna World of Food India also signifies Europe’s focus on India as a major export market for agri-based products. EU exports to India over the last ten years have been oscillating around € 250 – 300 mn. On the other hand, the import of Indian agricultural produce into the EU currently stands at € 2.7 bn, of which a large part is accounted for by Basmati rice followed by coffee, fruit and nuts, vegetables and spices.
Speaking about the fair in an earlier statement, Monique Pariat, Deputy Director-General, DG Agriculture, European Commission said, “European foods and wines are known throughout the world for their high quality and tremendous diversity. But much more than this, Europe has very high standards for food safety, environmental protection and animal welfare. The EU and India are working together to draw up a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This will enable Indian consumers more than ever to experience the tastes of Europe. And likewise, the FTA will also enable Europeans to enjoy India's unique culinary traditions. Indeed, a future FTA will present significant benefits to consumers from both countries.”
 According to official data, EU’s agricultural product exports have been growing steadily over the past few years from 0.9 per cent of total exports in 2009 to 1.3 per cent in 2013 and are set to increase even further.
This annual event is organized jointly between Koelnmesse YA Trade fair Pvt Ltd., and it’s Indian subsidiary GmbH, Germany and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
Rojita Tiwari
Rojita Tiwari is an independent writer and consultant in the fields of wine and spirits, travel and hospitality. She is a WSET certified wine professional and is listed as one of the TOP TEN WOMEN OF WINE IN INDIA by the Indian Wine Academy. With more than 11 years of experience of working for several publications and more than 8 years of heading the editorial of India's leading alcobev magazine, she is now busy tasting, traveling, judging, writing and curating the first "Selection of India's Finest Wines" list. She tweets @rojitatiwari.
If you Like this article please click on the Like button
Tags: Annapoorna World of Food India |