Medfel celebrated its 10th birthday from the 24th to the 26th of April at the Exhibition Centre of Perpignan. Saint-Charles Export, the biggest delegation service at the exhibition, was present with 58 companies (56 last year) over a surface area of 537 m², including a collective area and individual stands.
The Occitanie Region and the Perpignan Méditerranée Invest Economic Development Agency helped Saint-Charles Export set up this space, and organised activities over the 3 days.
A successful 10th birthday
During the inauguration, the Vice-President in charge of food-processing and viticulture, Mr. Cazaubon, was keen to emphasize that since its creation, Medfel, organised by the Region and its driving force, the Ad’Occ Regional Economic Development Agency, “has become an essential for the fruit and vegetable sector”. In fact, Medfel became prominent in the fruit and vegetable sector by introducing its Mediterranean offer in terms of production, as well as transport and logistics. Over the years, Medfel evolved by welcoming increasingly numerous exhibitors in the MedTech section, by offering a relevant conference programme, not to mention putting innovation under the spotlight with the Fel’Innov challenge. Furthermore, emphasis was placed on organic produce, which has been one of the exhibition’s development axes for the past 2 years.
It goes without saying that Saint-Charles Export is totally in sync with this concept. In fact, the group of SME exporters is composed of production and international trading companies, which reflect the evolution of the market with a range of conventional products, accompanied by an increasing proportion of organic products.
Efficiency first
“Here, we are immersed in reality and business”, a comment from an exhibitor at Saint-Charles Export who wanted to emphasise that the essential aim is extremely clear: as many business meetings with qualified buyers as possible. There is also a friendly atmosphere at the exhibition, as once the contacts have been made, and business has been concluded, a moment of relaxation is always appreciated. And there is no shortage of opportunities, especially thanks to the sponsorships by certain founding members of Saint-Charles Export. Thus, everyone made the most of the lunch, co-organised by the Banque Populaire du Sud, as well as the nocturnal cocktail party on 25th April, co-organised by Crédit Agricole Sud Méditerranée. Professionals, representatives of activities associated with the sector, and institutional players had the opportunity to exchange in a friendly context about the business climate and perspectives for 2018.
For this 2018 edition, there were three highlights concerning the platform directly:
Firstly the interprofessional organisation, Interfel, which the National Syndicate of Importers/exporters of Fruit and Vegetables (SNIFL) of Saint Charles International is a part of, held different meetings on site, and in particular a meeting about the “Preparation for the Summer Campaign”, where the forecast for Melons, Cherries, Plums, Peaches, Nectarines and Apricots was reviewed. It was also an opportunity for Interfel’s teams and administrators to come to Saint-Charles for a presentation of the platform.
Secondly, on the last day, the Perpignan-based platform welcomed a group of some twenty “VIPs”, buyers and journalists, for an overall presentation of the activity, followed by a quick tour of the “Perpignan Saint-Charles Container Terminal” with a demonstration of container transfers.
Thirdly, the SNIFL brought together quality teams from signatory companies from the “Saint-Charles Quality Strategy” at the exhibition in order to review different audits carried out during the previous campaign, as well as new elements regarding legislation and perspectives for 2018-2019. This was an enjoyable and eagerly-awaited meeting, in the context of the sixth renewal of the three-year agreement between SNIFL and DGCCRF*, which is scheduled to be signed in late 2018.
In conclusion?
Among Saint-Charles Export’s exhibitors, satisfaction was a requirement. All visitors from Northern Europe arrived unhindered, without any significant delay, and discussions begun as early as Tuesday morning. During the first and last day, connections were pursued, as the Wednesday was, as usual, a very busy day. This event was also an opportunity to meet up with buyers invited by Saint-Charles Export at past buyers’ receptions organised by the group over the past few years.
The exhibition was also an opportunity for some of the foreign visitors to become acquainted with the city of Perpignan and the Pyrénées-Orientales department.
The exhibition is firmly-entrenched with professionals in the sector, which already has its regulars in terms of the exhibitors, as well as the buyers, evidenced by its attractiveness.
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Saint Charles Export