ANUGA – Bringing the World to Cologne

‘There is no other better food expo than Anuga’. That was the overwhelming verdict from 92% of exhibitors and 94% of visitors who attended the show.  It’s estimated that almost 170,000 trade visitors from 201 countries travelled to Cologne for this year’s food and drink extravaganza, which boasted ten different events under one roof. Such is the demand for places that booking for the 2025 show is already underway.

This year’s Anuga featured a series of exclusive shows in addition to the regular industry stands. ‘Cultivating Change in Food Innovation’, was the central theme for Anuga Horizon, which highlighted innovative technologies, trends and solutions that significantly influence the market of tomorrow.  Elsewhere, Anuga Organic on Stage presented product trends, panel discussions and topical lectures, while the vibrant Organic Supermarket took centre stage in a blaze of colour to showcase the diversity of the entire organic range.

The ‘Taste Innovation Show’ in the North Boulevard featured the latest groundbreaking products and creative concepts nominated for special recognition by a panel of expert journalists and market research analysts. Ten products selected as being especially innovative included Sushi Rice Platter, Bettafish (vegan), Melis Pickle Soda, Apricot Kernel Yoghurt, Crispy Mushroom Chilli, Hexa Cream, Vegan No Egg White, Milk Garum, Dried Mushrooms and Mixes and Chica Mexicana Wheat Tortilla Beer.

Anuga identified seven big food trends set to dominate the market in their respective categories: Alternative Meat Protein, Clean Label, Convenience and Snacking, Free-From and Health Foods, Plant-Based Proteins or Foods, Sustainably Produced or Packaged and finally Superfoods and Ancient Grains. Superfoods are especially valued by consumers who have discovered the benefits of health-boosting ingredients such as quinoa, teff, amaranth, millet and sorghum. Similarly, ‘conscious diet’ choices play an important part for intolerance issues, with increasing alternatives to gluten, lactose, or fructose becoming available to the wider public.

In the Anuga Trend Zone, knowledge partners Innova Market Insights B.V. and Euromonitor International Limited teamed up with other distinguished speakers to share their insights on the main theme of Anuga 2023: sustainable growth encompassing environmental concerns and solutions in the food industry, as well as the associated economic and humanitarian aspects. Here and throughout the show participants made the most of unrivalled opportunities to network with the international gathering of food trade professionals.

Continuing demand for kosher products was evident at Anuga, with new kosher ranges on display, as well as those launched the previous year. Statistics reveal that North America, the largest market for kosher products, accounted for 55.6% of all kosher food and beverage launches between July 2021 and June 2022, keeping its place as the largest market for kosher products. Next came the Middle East and Africa showing a growth rate of 9% that represented 13.6% of all kosher launches between July 2021 – June 2022.

Kosher food certification provides assurance for consumers that the highest standards of safe food practice are being met. For this and many other reasons, brands and food manufacturers choose to have their products certified by leading kosher certification agency, KLBD, recognising that kosher certification is an asset for generating additional sales revenue. Quite a few KLBD certified companies showcased their products at Anuga, reflecting the benefit of certification to international food and drink products in all categories.

Asia Coconut Processing JSC is a leading supplier of non-dairy creamer, coconut water, coconut milk powder and desiccated coconut products based in Vietnam. Internationally acclaimed for quality and value, the KLBD logo is proudly displayed on niche product ranges. Chocolatiers Bostani Chocolate Belgium showcased a mouth-watering selection of stylishly designed chocolate with gourmet flavours. Currently the company benefits from kosher certification only for specialised B2B productions.

KLBD certified SuperGarden (Geld Baltic UAB) produce high quality freeze-dried berries, fruits, vegetables, together with a host of other products, from their manufacturing base in Lithuania, while fellow exhibitors Bonoil displayed their exclusive range of sunflower kernels and oil which also carry the distinctive KLBD logo.

SuperGarden freeze-dried snacks from Lithuania

Visitors to Toumi Foods stand discovered a diverse range of rice flour, dehydrated rice stick and rice vermicelli. Currently only the rice is KLBD certified by the Thai manufacturing company.  Another exhibitor displaying the KLBD logo was Amru Rice, a Cambodian company that produces processes and exports organic rice worldwide. The company demonstrates its priority of sustainable practice by investing in farmers across the supply chain.

A selection of superfood chia seeds, popcorn, chickpeas and sunflower seeds was showcased by Snack Crops of Argentina, renowned for producing speciality crops.  Regarded as a gourmet snacking food for choosy consumers, the products are further enhanced by KLBD certification.  Similarly KLBD certified, Agthia Egypt displayed its own portfolio of frozen fruit and vegetables and fruit and vegetable concentrates to the delegates.

In addition to the headlining shows, Anuga guaranteed a unique platform to not only witness the latest product innovations first hand, but also the chance to meet the exhibitors promoting them.  Exhibitors could also take advantage of outstanding press services to obtain global media coverage.

Anuga 2023, in Cologne, was a phenomenal success and a perfect launchpad for food and drink products across the world.