IFFA 2022 to focus on alternative proteins
80% of the usual visitors of the IFFA trade fair are planning to attend o physical event in the near future, according to a recent poll conducted by Messe Frankfurt. By the early booking deadline at the end of March, organizers have received more registrations for the coming fair than at the equivalent point in time of the previous IFFA, underlines Johannes Schmid-Wiedersheim, IFFA Director, Messe Frankfurt.
"The market leaders from home and abroad have signed up again and we see an increase in demand for exhibition space of around 10%. This is really encouraging and once again shows that IFFA is the 'place to be' when it comes to subjects of topical interest to the sector. And it is an indication of just how much both exhibitors and visitors are looking forward to a resumption of personal encounters and an international exchange of ideas and experience. On the whole, the meat and protein business came through the corona crisis relatively unscathed. Accordingly, the companies have lots of ideas and sufficient funds for investments," he declared.
In fact, next year, the trade fair will add a new theme for both exhibitors and visitors, as the food industry is reshaped by alternative protein products.
"Together with our advisory council of experts and exhibitors, we decided last year to expand the IFFA product spectrum and to include process technology for vegetable products and meat made from cell cultures. Now, we have taken this step officially for IFFA 2022. However, this subject is not completely new for the fair because more and more plant-based projects have been developed here over the years. In the meantime, consumer demand for alternatives to meat and fish has risen significantly and a rapidly growing market for vegetarian and vegan products has come into being worldwide. Naturally, this also calls for the establishment or transformation of manufacturing capacities. The IFFA nomenclature has always covered all process stages of the meat industry, from processing, via packaging, to sales. The processes and technologies for products made from alternative proteins are very similar and many of our exhibitors are already working successfully in this segment. Thus, it is only logical for us to put IFFA on a broader footing and to open the event up for alternative sources of protein alongside its traditional themes," added Mr. Schmid-Wiedersheim.
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