This year’s Expoalimentaria fair, its fifth edition, generated business of U.S. $ 620 million, according to Eduardo Amorrortu, president of the Association of Exporters (ADEX).
A number that, he clarified, was derived from an estimate based on information recorded in the business sessions, in which entrepreneurs from all over the world participated.
"It is a mixed fair. It offers agricultural and fishing products. However, the balance does lean slightly in favor of agriculture and agribusiness, so there have been higher sales in this sector but just barely," he said.
Amorrortu said that their initial expectation was to close deals of $ 500 million, a goal that was by far exceeded. He noted that there had been a 65% increase compared to last year, when deals amounted to U.S. $ 375 million.
He also noted that more than 700 business appointments had taken place within the first two days of the fair, apart from the meetings held at the exhibition stands of the participating companies.
Furthermore, he noted that there had been 22,000 visits recorded on both days, 2,377 of which were international attendees (last year there were 2000). "The fact that the number of visitors increases generates more business. We expect 2,500 international visitors to have attended the fair by its end and we’ll surely have 15% more next year," he said.
He explained that the main buyers came from North America and Europe, but that, in this edition, there had been a good turnout of Asian visitors promoted by Peru's commercial offices in the countries of the continent.
Turnover doubled
The Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Milton Von Hesse, said that if the preliminary report - which states that Expoalimentaria 2013 generated business for $ 600 million – were to be confirmed, it would mean that the fair’s sales volume doubled over the last year, which would be a support for domestic producers.
Source: Agraria.pe