Biofach - The world's largest organic trade fair

Beaming faces and a super mood among the 33,002* trade visitors (2004: 29,556*) - a plus of almost 12 % - and 2,045* exhibitors (2004: 1,897; +8 %) after four extremely successful days of exhibiting at BioFach 2005 in the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg from 24-27 February. In line with a good tradition, Renate Künast, the Federal Minister for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture, opened the annual industry occasion. "Organic is booming, is becoming a global player and stock market hit, and has a permanent place in society and the economy," said a delighted minister during the opening ceremony and her extensive tour of the exhibition.

Welcome to the land of milk and honey for organic connoisseurs
The success of the exhibition proved the minister was right again. This year's global range of products was presented by exhibitors from 69 countries, with over two-thirds of them from abroad. The "gourmet countries" Italy, Spain and France were traditionally strongly represented. The new EU neighbours also attracted attention with distinctly more exhibitors from Poland and the Czech Republic. The quality and variety of Hungarian organic products have been valued by trade buyers for years. Laos und Panama gathered initial experience as BioFach newcomers in 2005. The number of German companies exhibiting rose again parallel to the strong growth of the German organic market in 2004.

"The great economic success of the industry throughout the world certainly also ensured the unique atmosphere at BioFach 2005," enthuses Project Manager Heike Slotta. "The variety was excellent: Almost 150 more exhibitors - the buyers certainly used this opportunity and were also willing to travel long distances." 34 % of the trade visitors came from abroad. Altogether 104 nations were represented, especially Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Great Britain, France and the Central & East European EU countries. The German trade visitors came mainly from Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony.

As expected, a good quarter of the visitors came from the retail trade, almost a fifth of them are producers, and 12 % represented the wholesale trade. Many farmers and direct marketers, service providers, industrial caterers, restaurant proprietors and students also took a look round the exhibition. They all mainly wanted to source information about new products, obtain general guidance on the organic market, exchange views, prepare the ground for or cultivate business contacts, observe the competition, improve their knowledge, and naturally prepare for purchasing decisions and close direct orders. The interest in the product groups was broadly based, according to the results of the survey conducted by an independent institute. Around one-third (multiple answers) of the experts were interested in each of the product groups food and raw materials, natural personal care, and organic agriculture and marketing, and a good quarter in natural products. In the organic food segment, the visitors were especially interested in fruit and vegetables, delicatessen, health products, spices, dairy products, drinks, baked products, meat products, and convenience products. Their tour of the exhibition encouraged a good 70 % (!) of the BioFach visitors to include new products in their own range. Over 98 % are satisfied with the products offered on the stands- a genuine compliment for the exhibitors!

It is therefore no wonder that the exhibitors also regard the results of the exhibition as extremely good. Almost all companies look back on a successful exhibition. A good 94 % reached their key target groups and 92 % made new business contacts. 70 % of the exhibitors have already decided to certainly exhibit again at BioFach 2006.