As the largest and most respected food and drink trade exhibition in Russia, WorldFood Moscow promises to be a significant event as its global appeal strengthens. Over four days, key industry exporters from around the globe will convene in Moscow to meet the country’s senior-level buyers: wholesalers, distributors, retailers and restaurateurs.

Over 56 countries have already confirmed their participation at this year’s event, which will welcome an increased presence from Asia and Europe. In particular, Greece and Spain will see a considerable increase in exhibition space. It should, therefore, be no surprise that Europe accounts for the largest share in Russia’s traditional fruit and vegetable market.

Highlighting Russia’s demand for European fruit, George Kallitsis, export director at Protofanousi Fruits SA, Greece, comments, “Russia is a very important market for us since exports to Russia amounted to almost 40 percent of our turnover in 2012, up from 27 percent in 2011. We still see a big potential in the Russian market, more so in the supermarket sector with more retailers sourcing directly from growers and exporters like our company. At WorldFood Moscow we will exhibit a range of fresh fruits, including: kiwis, strawberries, cherries, mandarins, plums, peaches and nectarines.”

Last year, Russia became the most important sales destination for Spanish fruit and vegetables; Spain’s increased participation at WorldFood Moscow mirrors this development. FIAB, the Spanish Food & Drink Industry Federation will be returning to WorldFood Moscow with a substantial increase in exhibition space.

Likewise, AgroFresh, the Spanish export consortium who aid the country’s fresh fruit and vegetable exporters, will also display an array of fresh produce from strawberries to garlic. Elena Rest, Commercial Department, ArgoFresh, comments, “WorldFood Moscow is an excellent opportunity to provide specific information on the activities of our company; improve our sales and brand awareness, and find new clients within the Russian market.”

WorldFood Moscow 2013 will comprise 11 specialised sectors, including a dedicated fruit and vegetable pavilion, which is the second most represented sector at the show and spans a staggering three exhibition halls of Moscow’s Expocentre.

Space bookings indicate that the fruit and vegetable sector will grow in importance as companies from 27 countries have already confirmed their participation. These include a new national group from Portugal and leading USA cranberry fruit producer, Ocean Spray.

According to Fruit-inform, the consulting agency for CIS countries, Russia is one of the largest importers of fruit and vegetables in the world. Moreover, in 2012 the Russian market imported 8 billion US dollars worth of fruit and vegetables.

Russia’s comparatively high demand for fruit and vegetables can be illustrated by the country’s 2012 fruit consumption. In 2012, per capita, Russians consumed 15 kilograms of bananas annually; almost double the European average of 8 kilograms. Furthermore, apples and citrus fruits were highly sought after.

WorldFood Moscow is due to return to the Russian capital’s Expocentre on September 16 to 19, 2013.