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| BioFach Japan 2009 From 7th to 9th October 2009 BioFach Japan will be inviting the organic products sector to the metropolis of Tokyo for the ninth time. For all those who are interested in the organic products markets and the products of the Asian-Pacific region, this event is an absolute must. Like many other countries in the Asian-Pacific region, Japan, the motherland of Tamari, Tofu, Miso and Sushi, offers foodstuffs which are very much in demand in Europe. The best opportunity to get to know the market locally is offered by BioFach Japan and its parallel event, Natural Expo, at the Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Centre. Last year over 14,500 visitors and 240 exhibitors took this opportunity. In addition to a broad range of foodstuffs, the trade fair duo present the best range of organic products in special sections dedicated to wine, cosmetics and textiles. Despite the tense, difficult economic situation in Japan, the event is continuing its stable trend. Japanese customers make purchasing decisions in a different way to their European counterparts. Japan is regarded as a premium market. The broad, well-off middle-class enjoys purchasing brand products and treats itself to luxury items from time to time. Western goods enjoy a high status. The Japanese have a very highly developed eating culture and attach great significance to fresh ingredients and natural food preparation methods. Health is right at the top of priorities. Market experts are therefore certain: the interest in high-quality organic food and non-essential provisions, exquisite cosmetics and clothing in environmentally-friendly natural materials will continue even in times of economic recession. Success products in the non-food sector: eco textiles and natural personal care products Worldwide sales of clothing and home textiles produced using organic cotton rose in 2008 to 3.2 billion US Dollars, according to the latest Organic Cotton Market Report published by the American lobby group for organic cotton, Organic Exchange. This corresponds to an increase of 63% compared to 2007. Worldwide, around 30 million tons of natural fibres are produced each year, around 25 million of them accounted for by cotton. 2009 was declared by the United Nations as International Year of Natural Fibres. The aim of this is to draw customers' attention to the hard work of the producers in the developing countries. The cultivation of organic cotton eliminates the health risk associated with conventional, spraying-intensive cultivation, the higher prices enable a fair deal for the farmers. As far back as 1990 the Non-Profit organization Japan Organic Cotton Association, JOCA, was founded in Japan. Today it has around 150 members, certifies and issues a corresponding label, whilst also supporting sales and marketing. At BioFach 2008 this was reflected for the first time in a special exhibition section: in the Cotton Street feature 15 companies presented themselves and their products. Following the successful premiere the special exhibition section will enter its second phase in 2009. Natural personal care is already being presented as a further key Non-Food segment at BioFach Japan for the second time in a special section. Asia is one of the international dream regions for natural personal care companies as demand is booming. The high-quality cosmetics are not only held in very high esteem in Japan and Korea. German brands are particularly popular. In 2008 total turnover for certified natural personal care articles was around 580 million EUR in Japan alone, which corresponds to 4% of the total Japanese cosmetics market. Japanese customers discovering organic wine According to a current report published by the American Ministry of Agriculture, USDA, a total of 1.3 million hectolitres of wine was imported by Japan in 2008 alone. Sales increased from 2007 to 2008 by 5%. The Organic Wine Pavilion, which in 2009 will already be held in its third edition, enables Japanese wine connoisseurs to immerse themselves in the world of organic wine enjoyment. On the joint stand around 30 vineyards can present their exquisite creations and trade visitors are invited to sample the wines at the event. In recent years a whole host of wine growers already found new fans and distribution possibilities for their top wines in Asia. Foodstuffs from Germany enjoy great trust The image of foodstuffs from Germany is especially good in Japan. This is the conclusion reached by a survey conducted by the Central Marketing Association of the German agriculture industry (Centrale Marketing-Gesellschaft, CMA), in 2008. When it comes to import articles, 90% of Japanese managing directors and export managers pay attention to German origin. When asked about the food trends, 34% regarded the theme of health and wellness as important, while 29% believe that organic products in Japan have a great future. Reason enough for the international organic products sector to participate at BioFach Japan from 7th to 9th October 2009 at the Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Centre. Australia, Brazil and Mexico have already booked exhibition space for a joint stand. At the parallel event, Natural Expo, South Korea will present its range within the framework of the country pavilion. Other BioFach dates: * BioFach America, Boston 24–26 September 2009 * BioFach Japan, Tokyo 7–9 October 2009 * BioFach América Latina/Expo Sustentat, São Paulo 28–30 October 2009 * BioFach India, Mumbai 18–20 November 2009 * BioFach and Vivaness, Nuremberg 17–20 February 2010 * BioFach China, Shanghai 27–29 May 2010 write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Exhibition News :: home page |