The world demands products which are increasingly innovative, convenient and competitively priced, this represents a challenge for Peru, whose business structure is made up of mostly of medium and small enterprises. In that sense, initiatives such as the Innovation Competition at the Expoalimentaria Fair become really important; 27 semifinalist products have already qualified.
Expoalimentaria, the most important fair in Latin America, that will be held in September, is organized by the Association of Exporters of Peru (ADEX), with support from the Ministry of Production (Produce), Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MINAGRI), Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RR.EE.) and PromPeru.
Research and Development (R & D) is key for the development of companies. Indeed, the seventh edition of the contest will award the ingenuity and entrepreneurial creativity in the development of new products of the food industry in a total of 6 categories.
Semifinalists in the ‘Canned and Dried Food’ Category are Andinas Amor Pasta, Trigano Amor Pasta, Picarones with quinoa and honey purple corn, garden quinoa, ‘actiday’ (instantaneous mix of Kiwicha, quinoa, maca and cacao), quinoa with cilantro and vinaigrette line of exotic fruits.
In the ‘Beverages and Liquors’ Category the semifinalists are La Patriota (Belgian style beer with corn base), Chicha Tu Mare (modern version of “chicha de jora”) and Brown Ale Cocoa Beer. In the ‘Refrigerated, Frozen and Precooked Products’ Category are the frozen natural line of pulp and fruit juice, breaded squid rings and ‘delicia of corncob’ in tray.
The ‘Coffee, Cocoa and Byproducts’ Category includes as semifinalists Choco Biotics (milk chocolate with organic coconut palm sugar), Devil’s Jungle (powder mixture of toasted barley, camu camu and ‘Siete raíces’ extract), Andean Super Bites (organic bitter chocolate with maca, “popeada quinoa” and chia seeds) and organic Tawa Café Especial.
In the ‘Confectionery and Snacks’ Category, the products that compete are Salad Simi (maca chips snack), dried pineapple and toasted sacha inchi), Hearty Flakes (cereal from purple corn, quinoa, yacon and cocoa), Sweet Simi (maca chips snack, dried mango and macambo chips) and banana bar with quinoa and amaranth.
In the ‘Gourmet and Delicatessen Products’ are Cofre origin chocolates, instantaneous hummus (nutritious and tan product), Honey cocoa, Easy Fruit (fruit pulp: pineapple, mango, strawberry and passion fruit) Spicy Passion Fruit Coulis (sauce made by cooking passion fruit and chili tabasco) and Palm Hearts Spread (to accompany with hors d'oeuvres or just with a cookie and olive).
Recognition
The awards will recognize winners of the 6 categories. The main prize, "Best Innovative Product of Expoalimentaria" will be selected based on the score obtained in the vote in the Hall of Innovation.
The novelty of this year is the award for food trends, whose objective is to create greater awareness about the health, the environment and the pursuit of pleasure and entertainment. The awards are for the Healthy Life Trend, Practicality Trend and Pleasure Trend.
Peruvian and foreign companies registered as exhibitors will participate in Expoalimentaria, according to the category established for the competition, which they applied until 11 July. The list of semifinalists was published on 25 July and the finalists will be announced on 5 September. The award ceremony will be on 30 September as part of the fair. Winners will be selected by a jury of mixed character and is made up by personalities and institutions specialized in food innovation.