More visitors and exhibitors than ever before took part in Asia Fruit Logistica last week, making this sixth edition of the event the biggest and best yet.
Fruitnet.com reports that a record 5,722 visitors from 64 different nations attended Asia Fruit Logistica 2012, which took place on 5-7 September at AsiaWorld-Expo Centre in Hong Kong.
The visitor numbers, which marked a 7 per cent increase over last year’s attendance, confirmed Asia Fruit Logistica’s status as the must-attend event for Asia’s rapidly growing fresh fruit and vegetable business.
But it was the top-quality of the visitors - and the range of global countries they represented - that continued to define the success of Asia’s leading trade fair for the international fresh produce business.
“We’re delighted with the number, quality and international scope of the buyers and trade visitors this year,” said Gérald Lamusse, managing director of event organiser Global Produce Events GmbH.
Official visitor survey results revealed that 84 per cent of trade visitors held leading management positions in their companies, while 86 per cent were closely involved in the purchasing and procurement decision-making process.
“This high calibre of visitors is a key factor in the continued strong business outcomes for our participants,” Lamusse added.
Asia Fruit Logistica 2012 set records on a number of other fronts, not least exhibitor numbers, which climbed to 341 exhibitors, representing 30 different countries.
The balance of regional representation was similar to previous years, although Asia, which accounted for the largest number of exhibitors (38 per cent), continued to expand its share.
A quarter of exhibitors came from Europe, followed by Latin America with 12 per cent, Oceania (10 per cent), Africa (8 per cent) and North America (7 per cent).
Unsurprisingly, China remained the single largest country in terms of exhibitor numbers with 87 exhibitors, up from 77 in 2011.
European companies were out in force once again, and leading the way was Italy, which retained its position as the second-largest exhibitor country at the show with 29 individual exhibitors.
Italy’s significant presence was anchored by the launch of the ‘Piazza Italia’ concept at Asia Fruit Logistica, which is already a popular theme of the country’s national pavilion at Fruit Logistica in Berlin.
