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China’s food processing industry remains relatively underdeveloped. In most local companies, equipment remains outdated, technology and know-how is behind, and end products are usually not up to international standards. Such conditions present opportunities for U.S. suppliers of food ingredients. USDA trade data indicates U.S. exports in the "other" consumer-oriented food category accounts for approximately $137 million and the USDA Foreign Agricultural Trade Office in Shanghai is confident a significant portion of that amount is the result of the food-processing sector. Fi Asia China March 1-3, 2005 provides an opportunity for U.S. suppliers to tap into this demanding market. Best Prospects include whey, lactose, tree nuts, dried fruits, frozen potato products, and frozen fruits and vegetables. Contact(s): Teresina Chin at 202-720-9423, fax 202-690-4374, or email at Teresina.Chin@usda.gov. and/or Sue Smith-CMP Information at 815-498-2286 or e-mail: cmpi@aol.com.

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Japan is the United States second largest market for agricultural exports, and purchased over $10.6 billion worth of food and agricultural products in 2003-$4.2 billion were consumer-oriented products. Projections are favorable with the 4.42 percent change shown in the first quarter of 2004. The Japanese market offers great potential for U.S. suppliers of high quality value-added agricultural products and FOODEX JAPAN is an excellent venue to showcase such products. Please join us for the 30th anniversary of FOODEX JAPAN March 8-11, 2005. The show will attract over 100,000 trade-visitors. At FOODEX 2004, the number of trade-visitors was up nearly 7 percent from 2003, with notable increases of trade visitors from Korea, Taiwan, and China. As a result of the show, projected 12-month sales of U.S. products are estimated to top $33 million in the North Asian region. Best prospects include healthy/functional foods, organic products, frozen foods, coffees/teas, and confectionaries, fruits and vegetables, and convenience foods. Contact(s):  Teresina Chin at 202-720-9423, fax 202-690-4374, or email at Teresina.Chin@usda.gov. and/or Kelly Wheatley-IMEX Management at 704-365-0041 or email: kellyw@imex.mgt.com.

 Flyer in .doc format | Flyer in .pdf format.

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   American Cafe - HOSTEX - South Africa (March 2005)

American Café.  Hostex is the leading food and catering hospitality show in the region. At Hostex there will be an American Café that will offer a unique opportunity and cost effective means for producers and suppliers of American food products to display their product lines and gain maximum exposure. South Africa, with an expanding middle class and a relatively stable economy, presents growing opportunities for U.S. exports of niche food products. In addition, with its well-developed transportation infrastructure, South Africa is ideally placed to serve as an export hub to markets throughout the region.  March 13-16, 2005.  Johannesburg, South Africa. Contact: Tobitha Jones at 202-690-1182 or e-mail: Tobitha.Jones@usda.gov.  Flyer in .pdf format.

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 International Food & Drink Exhibition 2005 - U.K. (March 2005)

IFE (International Food and Drink Exhibition) is the United Kingdom’s largest international food and drink exhibition, welcoming over 1,300 exhibitors and some 23,000 visitors in 2003, mainly from the catering and food and drink manufacturing sectors. Wholesalers are also a strong presence at the show. Recruitment efforts are now under way for the USA Pavilion at IFE London 2005.  March 13-16, 2005.  London, U.K. Contact: Sharon Cook at 202-720-3425 or e-mail: Sharon.Cook@usda.gov.  Flyer in .doc format | Flyer in .pdf format.

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This show has taken another step to confirm its position as the country’s best trade exhibition, coupling high-quality trade-only visitors with a premiere exhibition venue-the Coex Convention and Exhibition Center. Food and Hotel Korea (March 8-11, 2005) has a matchless profile among all other Korean trade events. The show features national groups from approximately 20 countries. Top quality visitors from the retail, food service, and food processing sectors attend the show. Advantages for U.S. exporters lie in consumer-oriented, high-value processed products. Total Korean imports of consumer ready products increased 9 percent in 2003 to $3.7 billion, 41 percent of which were from the United States. Imports of consumer-oriented products from the U.S. increased 16 percent in 2003, growing at a rate double that of total imports. Best prospects include Fruits and vegetables, portion-sized processed foods, confectioneries, snack foods, convenience foods, seafood, non-alcoholic beverages, wines and spirits, dried fruits and nuts, dairy products, and grains. Contact(s): Teresina Chin at 202-720-9423, fax 202-690-4374, or email at Teresina.Chin@usda.gov. and/or Ellen Demarest 201-251-2600 or email: ellend@kallman.com.

Flyer in .doc format | Flyer in .pdf format.

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Flyer in .doc format

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This USDA-endorsed event offers an excellent opportunity to introduce your products to buyers in one of the fastest growing markets in the world. Last year, this 4-day show drew 1,100 exhibitors from 43 countries and attracted more than 72,000 importers, wholesalers, retailers, and processors from all parts of Russia and from many neighboring countries. For more information, see attached flyer and contact Sharon.Cook@usda.gov or call 202-720-3425.

file in .doc format