Local food exporters eye global market

Displaying a unified identity under the general motto “Taste Like Greece,” a large group of Greek companies is set to take part in Anuga 2011, the world’s leading food fair for retail trade, food services and the catering market. The fair opens on Saturday in Cologne, Germany, and continues through Monday. The initiative for the adoption of a common identity belongs to the Hellenic Foreign Trade Board (HEPO). The Greek organization came up with the concept on the occasion of the Cologne fair, given that a nationwide logo for Greek products has yet to materialize, despite announcements made by Development Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis 10 months ago. Meanwhile, participating in Anuga 2011 are 180 Greek companies, along with the regional authority of Crete and five chambers of commerce. Besides the unified identity, the made-in-Greece products will also be promoted in a series of events which will take place during the German fair, including tastings. Food products are a key factor in the development of the Greek export sector. In 2010 alone, foodstuffs made up 16 percent of the country’s total exports value. Overall, Greek exports in 2011 - with the exception of oil products - are expected to reach 10 or 11 percent of gross domestic product, while this figure is expected to rise into the double-digits in 2012. A major tool with regard to reaching the 2012 target is, among others, a new action plan devised by HEPO. According to the organization’s CEO, Alkiviadis Kalabokis, the plan includes 96 organized activities - 65 events, 22 business missions abroad and nine professional meetings in Greece. Out of the 96 activities, 39 will focus on the promotion of industrial products, 33 on the promotion of exporting foodstuffs and beverages and 24 on the promotion of the consumer goods sector. The events are aimed at attracting buyers in markets targeted by HEPO, in collaboration with Greek exporters. These markets include the United States, the Gulf States and South Africa as well as Latin American and Southeast Asian countries.