Celebrating 100 Years of Anuga in Cologne

This year marks the 100^th Anniversary of the world renowned Anuga Trade Fair in Cologne, an incredible testament to the status it has maintained as the leading exhibition for food and drink worldwide.

Steeped in history, the first Anuga trade fair for food and beverages took place in Stuttgart in 1919.  At that time the General Food and Luxury Exhibition, as it was then known, attracted around 200 German exhibitors and the organisers decided the event was sufficiently successful to warrant a touring exhibition to different venues each year.   Major cities such as Munich, Berlin, Dortmund and Cologne were all chosen to host the annual event, but it was the participation of 360 exhibitors and the attendance of 40,000 visitors to Cologne in 1924, that persuaded the organisers to make Cologne the permanent base.

Anuga 2019 is taking place from 5th – 9^th October and organisers anticipate record-breaking numbers of exhibitors (almost 8,000) and visitors to attend its milestone centenary event.   Anuga’s unique capacity to stage 10 sector-specific trade shows simultaneously enables participants to experience a massive range of product types under ‘one roof’.  These include Anuga Dairy, Anuga Organics, Anuga Hot Beverages, Anuga Fine Food and Anuga Culinary Concepts amongst other categories thus enabling exhibitors to be easily found according to their relevant grouping.

Anuga has also highlighted 11 specific food themes currently dominating, or projected to develop within the industry, and food professionals will be queuing to see the latest product innovations and food trends placed conveniently in their respective sections.    ‘Products with Protected Designation of Origin’ (PDO), ‘Products Based on Fair Trade’, ‘Superfoods’, ‘Vegan’ and ‘Functional and Free From Products’ comprise just some of the fascinating themes.

The continuing trend for vegetarian products is strongly represented and embraces lactose intolerant and flexitarian consumers, as well as non-meat eaters and millennials seeking out new and tempting vegetarian food experiences. Innova Market Insights report that in 2018, 8.6% of all food and drink launches had a vegetarian claim and nowadays restaurant menus routinely incorporate vegetarian and vegan options.

Kosher Products will again be prominently featured at Anuga, as global demand for the stringent standards associated with kosher products continues to rise exponentially.  Around 18% of exhibitors are expected to offer some kosher certified products and leading global certification agency, KLBD, will be on site for a couple of days to offer support to existing and future potential clients. Statistics show Latin America to be the fastest growing region for kosher launches and North America to be the largest market for kosher certified products.

Companies carrying the distinctive KLBD logo are instantly recognisable, as complying with the highest standards of safe food practice and many KLBD companies will be showcasing their products. Valencia based company; Primo Mendoza will be exhibiting their extensive bee products range of honey, pollen, royal jelly, beeswax and natural cosmetics products on Stand A041 in Hall 11.1.

Another KLBD certified company exhibiting is prolific exporter of Egyptian frozen fruit and vegetables, Givrex, on Stand C038, Hall 4.2. The company is privately owned by the Mansour family. Based in Alexandria, Egypt, the raw products used for processing are grown mostly in the rich, fertile soil of the Nile Delta. Pay a visit also to Stand D052 in Hall 8.1, hosted by family run firm Iftekhar Ahmed & Co, one of Pakistan’s largest exporters and whose KLBD certified fruit juice concentrates, purees, date syrup and tomato paste comprise a selection of a larger product range.

Walnut lovers should make their way to Hall 1, Stand A079 where Chilean company, Exportadora Anakena Ltda specialises in the exclusive production of delicious walnuts and have built their reputation on strict quality controls, enhanced by KLBD certification.  In Hall 3.1, Stand B062, Bunker Specialities will be displaying the ingredients they supply to the food and feed industries, including chia, sunflower and sesame seeds, flax and beans.

Family run firm, Mackays, have been making a wonderful selection of tasty marmalades, preserves and chutney products for over 70 years and hold the distinction of being the last remaining producers of the iconic Dundee Marmalade, made the authentic way in copper pans. Orange marmalade with lemon and ginger is another offering bound to spice up the average breakfast and the entire range of Mackays’ KLBD certified products can be seen and sampled on Stand F067 in Hall 10.2.

A visit to Hall 5.1, Stands F072 and F090, will find the fantastic range of Bioitalia organic products, including KLBD certified olive pâté, artichokes, pesto, juices and sauces. Bioitalia credit a combination of organic farming and advanced industrial technologies for being able to produce high quality foodstuffs at an affordable price. On Stand D059 in Hall 2, family run Schneider’s Gemuseland will be displaying the high quality organic fresh and frozen vegetables they have been producing for over 40 years, in mixed or single varieties. Ireland’s largest exporter of dairy products throughout the world, Ornua, can be visited on Stand G020 in Hall 10.1 and is KLBD certified.

An inspiring programme of excellent speakers, congresses and exclusive award ceremonies has been lined up to ensure participants keep up to speed with all the latest developments in the industry.  These include the E-Grocery Congress aimed at food technologists, manufacturers and retailers, as well as the Innovation Food Conference hosted by the German Institute of Food Technology.  Networking opportunities will abound and participants signing up to the ‘Matchmaking 365’ app can even arrange trade fair appointments from their mobiles, as well as accessing a host of other benefits.

For a detailed insight into Anuga for the kosher buyer, please contact Sharon or Russell.