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The World Food Moscow fair will open its doors on September 13th to eight exporters who will seek to increase the presence of Colombian foods in the Russian market, whose doors were opened thanks to the export health certification of meat and shrimp to that country this past March.
Colombian entrepreneurs present at Russia' s most important food fair will offer everything from beef, to shrimp and coffees in the Zao Expocentre in Moscow to exploit new business opportunities.
The fair, held since 1992, will bring together around 60,000 professionals from Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, between wholesalers, retailers, distributors, owners, managers, the hotel industry, representatives of breweries, engineers, technicians, bottlers and managers of hygiene and raw materials.
The presence of entrepreneurs is part of PROCOLOMBIA' s Support Plan for exporters affected by the heavy rains, revaluation and ATPDEA, which will benefit about 1,200 companies with 50 activities around the world.
Furthermore, is part of the strategy entitled A Taste of Colombian Flavors, which invites visitors to international food fairs to " Discover why the flavors of Colombia are in the mouth of the world" .
With products like cuts of boneless, frozen or chilled beef, raw or cooked whole shrimp and specialty coffees, super-premium type, all with great potential in this market, organizations and companies like Fedegan, Friogá n, Camaguey, Viajagual, Cartagena Shrimp, Café Quindí o , Coffee and Cafe San Alberto Mariscal will participate.
Russia is a market with opportunities
The process of opening of this market began in 2006 with a visit to Colombia by the commission of the Russian Sanitary Service to verify the actions and results for the prevention and control of foot and mouth disease - FMD, in addition to inspecting Colombian slaughterhouses to analyze compliance with the required quality standards.
After achieving the export certification, the doors were opened for entrepreneurs interested in diversifying markets.
Russia is the second largest importer of beef in the world, after the United States. During 2010, product imports totaled US$2.174 billion, represented by 626,000 tonnes of product, with Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Australia and Argentina as the leading suppliers.
Food exports from Colombia to Russia have concentrated mainly on coffee and cocoa derivatives.
According to information by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism, and figures from DANE, the sector' s total reached US$84.7 million, 17.5 percent more than in 2009.
The sale of coffee derivatives totaled US$21.2 million and 1.9 million cocoa.
On the other hand, PROCOLOMBIA has identified specific opportunities for the aquaculture industry because of the tendency to consume fish and seafood, as well as processed fruits and vegetables.
