◊ By Benefit Publishing Bureau; photos & infographics by NürnbergMesse
 

• 2,982 exhibitors from 98 countries participated
• 51,488 trade visitors from 144 countries
• Total exhibition space: 82,800 sq mtr
• 9,458 Congress participants received intelligence from 139 individual events
• Dedicated sub-segments for Olive Oil, Wine and Vegan products
• 33% of trade visitors from retail sector; 24% were wholesale traders/exporters/importers; 18% manufacturers
• Maximum number of international visitors hailed from Italy, Austria, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Great Britain/Northern Ireland and Belgium
• An onsite visitors’ survey revealed 37% of trade visitors were interested in fresh products, 26% in raw materials and 24% in sweets and snacks

 
BIOFACH, the world’s leading trade fair for Organic Food, along with its concurrent event, VIVANESS, the international trade fair for Natural & Organic Personal Care, was hosted from 13-16 February at the exhibition centre Nuremberg, Germany.

With a total exhibition space of 82,800 sq mtr, BIOFACH welcomed 51,488 visitors—50% from outside Germany. Trade visitors drew inspiration from the wealth of products on show from 2,982 exhibitors belonging to 98 countries, and discovered novelties, trends and innovations from around the world.

Pure & Eco India was BIOFACH’s International Media Partner and the print magazine was available onsite for trade visitors and exhibitors alike.

 
Browse through BIOFACH 2019’s photo album.
 

Petra Wolf, member of the management board, NürnbergMesse, comments: “The atmosphere in all 10 exhibition halls was amazing. The enthusiasm for the sector was palpable right from the outset – the level of energy there was fantastic. The market is currently developing very dynamically. So we’re all the more pleased that our exhibitors and visitors have BIOFACH and VIVANESS down on their calendars as the most important forum for trading and sharing ideas, especially in such busy times! We’re already looking forward to seeing everyone again in 2020.”

Louise Luttikholt, executive director, IFOAM – Organics International, comments on BIOFACH and the Congress conducted therein, “As patron of BIOFACH, we were delighted by the growing number of exhibitors and visitors at BIOFACH 2019. This growth reflects the increase in the number of organic farmers, organically farmed area and market turnover. Behind this growth is the increasing influence of the organic movement in general. At the trade fair in 2019, we looked in particular at the effects of organic food on health. The inseparable link between health and soil, plants, animals, people and the planet was explored at the Congress from various angles. We are looking forward to continuing these conversations at BIOFACH 2020 and to consolidating the contribution of organic farming to the objectives of sustainable development.”

BIOFACH & VIVANESS 2019 hosted 2,982 exhibitors from 98 countries and received 51,488 trade visitors from 144 countries

Pure & Eco India was BIOFACH’s International Media Partner; photo ©Benefit Publishing Pvt Ltd

9,458 Congress participants received intelligence from 139 individual events

LATEST MARKET STATISTICS DISCUSSED AT CONGRESS

With 9,458 delegates and participants in its discussions, the Congress confirmed BIOFACH’s position as the largest international platform for knowledge transfer and networking. Congress participants gathered intelligence from 139 individual events. The fora included Forum BIOFACH, Forum Sustainability, Forum Science, Forum Politics and Forum German Organic Trade. Delegates this year evinced particular interest in the sessions on market statistics.

VIVANESS drew 143 participants to the session, ‘The Natural and Organic Cosmetic Market 2018: Facts, Figures and Market Forecasts’, while the corresponding session at the BIOFACH Congress, ‘The German Organic Market: Facts, Figures from 2018 and Analysis’, brought together 251 industry representatives.

BEST NEW PRODUCT AWARDS, ORGANIC WINE AWARD & OLIVE OIL AWARD

Once again in 2019, the ‘Best New Product Awards’, which recognise outstanding new products in 7 different categories, were conferred. Whereas SPEICK Naturkosmetik, Weleda and URTEKRAM won Best New Product awards in VIVANESS, Käserebellen, Schrozberger Milchbauern and Georg Thalhammer were recognised for their Best New Products at BIOFACH.

Furthermore, the international organic wine award, ‘MUNDUS VINI BIOFACH’, as well as, the ‘Olive Oil Award’ for the best olive oil, were conferred at BIOFACH.

 
Full List of participants who won ‘Best New Product Awards’ at BIOFACH 2019
 

TRADE VISITOR BREAK-UP

Trade visitors at BIOFACH to the tune of 33% belonged to the retail sector; 24% were wholesale traders/exporters/importers; 18% were manufacturers, and 9% were agriculturists/aquaculturists.

A majority of 89% of trade visitors were decision makers responsible for making purchasing decisions in their companies.

The maximum number of international visitors belonged to Italy, Austria, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Great Britain/Northern Ireland and Belgium. Of all trade visitors, 68% were from the European Union; 11% from the rest of Europe; 11% from Asia, Oceania and Australia; 7% from America and 3% from Africa.

An onsite visitors’ survey revealed 37% of trade visitors were interested in fresh products; 26% in raw materials; 24% in sweets and snacks; 24% in fairtrade products; 24% in vegan products; 23% in cooking and baking products; 22% in vegetarian products; 19% in beverages;17% in non food items; 16% in gluten free products; 15% in frozen foods; 11% in technology and equipment; 10% in suppliers with direct delivery specialties; 9% in lactose-free products; 3% in HORECA and 3% in kosher/halal products.

EXHIBITORS’ FEEDBACK

A whopping 87% of exhibitors were satisfied with the overall success of their participation, with 91% confirming they were able to reach their priority target groups at BIOFACH. Of all, 90% were successful in forming new business relations and 89% were satisfied with the quality of visitors.

Below-mentioned are the observations of three exhibitors at BIOFACH 2019.

Mandorella

Family-owned company Mandorella is run by Isabella Latrofa and her sons, Gabriele and Leonardo. They travelled to BIOFACH 2019 from Puglia, Italy. They presented their vegetarian and vegan specialities made from regional Italian almonds, including the original almond butter. Their products attracted a lot of interest and they are longstanding exhibitors, participating in BIOFACH for the 20^th time. “A lot of importers from other EU countries, USA, Canada and Dubai noticed our products and expressed their interest,” says a delighted Mandorella team.

87% of exhibitors were satisfied with the overall success of their participation, with 91% confirming they were able to reach their priority target groups

90% of the exhibitors were successful in forming new business relations and 89% were satisfied with the quality of visitors received

Naturfrisk

When even after 30 years, the founder of the company himself stands at the exhibition booth to greet visitors, it is quite a statement. Nils Romer, director of Danish organic drinks maker, Naturfrisk, is happy to confirm: “BIOFACH is our most important trade fair for export business. But for us it is much more, namely a think tank and a platform for trends, developments and news from the organic sector. It inspires me to be here again and again,” says the organic pioneer from Denmark.

Proveg International

‘Experience the world of VEGAN’ has become popular at its location in the international hall 4A. Silke Hellemann, event manager at Proveg International, is delighted by the positive response: “For us it is always a wonderful event. The context of appearing with a lot of other international organic companies is very valuable to us. We appreciate the opportunity to come into direct personal contact with visitors interested in plant-based nutrition. Especially helpful in this respect are the cooking show and snap talks, which were consistently well attended.”

BLOCK YOUR DATES FOR BIOFACH 2020!

BIOFACH is the most sought after event for the organic industry across the world because of the immense exposure it offers. Despite increasing area, the waiting list of exhibitors is often long and sometimes, exhibitors are turned away due to want of space. Therefore, if you’re considering showcasing your products to the world in 2020, do book your space on time to avoid disappointment.

The next BIOFACH and VIVANESS will take place from 12-15 February, 2020, in Nuremberg.

A majority (95%) of this year’s visitors have already blocked their dates and have confirmed their attendance. Will you join them?

To book your booth, contact BIOFACH’s Sales Team.