Trade promoter PS8 is urging small food and drink businesses to take advantage of overseas opportunities while sterling’s exchange rate remains favourable to exports.
Speaking at the Anuga trade show press conference in London on June 4, PS8 co-founder Sandra Sullivan highlighted the benefits Anuga could offer firms, including access to new markets and contacts.
This year’s show has seen a growth in applications from first timers, particularly in the areas of own-label, convenience and ethnic food. “Demand for speciality food items is growing, particularly from countries such as Brazil and India,” said Sullivan.
The door was wide open to smaller businesses, with help available in the form of grants of up to £1,400 from UK Trade & Investment support via the Tradeshow Access Programme.
Smaller exhibition spaces made costs more feasible for smaller companies, with the further benefit of large and small UK exhibitors being grouped together, meaning newcomers would benefit from regular, higher-profile traders.
“Experienced exporters with a higher profile will stay within the UK group, which benefits smaller firms who might pick up business from their regular visitors,” said Sullivan.
The world’s largest trade fair, Anuga 2009 takes place from October 10-14 in Cologne. At the 2007 show more than 163,000 visitors walked the 304,000m2 exhibition space seeking innovative products from more than 6,600 suppliers from 95 countries.
Also speaking about the forthcoming show, Michael Gerling, executive director of the German Food Retail Association and co-founder of Anuga was confident that the poor economic outlook would not deter visitors. “We have to eat,” said Gerling.
Applications for support need to be submitted to PS8 no later than eight weeks before the event starts. For details contact Paddy Edwards paddyedwards@btconnect.com at PS8.