Colombia appears to have found a winning formula in its industry-wide Bizmatch event with exotcis and organics stealing the limelight at European Bizmatch in Cartagena last month.
The event, organised by government agency Proexport Colombia, involved about 800 companies in 4,000 pre-arranged appointments between Colombian exporters and European buyers over two days.
"The whole agri-food sector was extremely important in the event which aims to promote non-traditional exports," Luis Guillermo Plata, president of Proexport told the Journal. "Our motto is opening doors, closing deals. Going to trade fairs is not enough. Exporters need practical opportunities and in those two days some €43 million of deals were done, some immediate and others more long term. We are interested primarily in the small companies and giving them help in opening up new markets."
Exotic lines were of particular interest to those buyers who made the event from the UK with interest in passion fruit, borojó and lulo and as yet unknown on the UK market chontaduro.
"But besides the business done, what is also important is the great number of opportunities identified, to which we will also do a detailed follow-up with eyes on future deals," said Plata.
This may well include help with consumer and broader market education. "It is also very important to show chefs how to work with these products, and we aim to work with exporters to help them facilitate this work and offer tastings," said Plata.
Organics is another area where there was particular interest from the UK and bananas are the biggest volume line that Colombia has to offer in this area. "The organic sector is really moving," said Plata. "The volumes in general are not big, but bananas are one of the most important product areas."
The plan now at Proexport Colombia is for another European Bizmatch next May. Importers can register their interest at www.proexport.com.co
