From 1964 till 2014 SIAL Paris has always become the highlight of world agrifood.
It mostly satisfied the exhibitors as well as visitors. It occasionally could not perform as expected mostly because of global crisis or regional disasters. It was held this year for the 50th anniversary of universal interactions. Throughout the world, food professionals have been designing and constructing our food future. This is where they met, because for 50 years SIAL has been the unmissable trendsetter! Its long-lasting success, combined with undeniable international prestige, has made SIAL the absolute benchmark for France and well beyond our frontiers. It is a multicultural network, a focus of interaction and inspiration supporting enterprises in achieving their future success. Turkish culture constitutes a big portion of that multicultural network and contributes a lot to that international composition. Food Turkey asked questions to Turkish exhibitors to evaluate Sial Paris and their own experience during this year’s edition of this major event. We asked 4 questions:
1. How was SIAL Paris this year? Were you satisfied?
2. Can you compare this year’s Sial with previous years if you had attended before?
3. Which products did you exhibit in Paris this year?
4. Which two or three international food fairs are the most important for your company? What other fairs do you participate in?
The answers of different exhibitors are below. You will find very interesting ideas and evaluations:
FATIH KARADORUK, EXPORT MANAGER, ÇIZMECI GIDA:
We were satisfied with the quality and number of visitors at SIAL Paris 2014. We met with our current buyers and also introduced our company to many new companies. This is the 5th participate for me to SIAL Paris fair. Comparing the previous fairs, it was quite good but of course not like the before European Economical crisis since 2010. But we got very good signs from customers and market that economical growth starts again in European area and buyers look forward for more development in marketing. We introduced our new Plain Wafer Line (SLIM 20gr and Wafer Master Gofrette 40gr) products to our visitors. We were much satisfied with our buyers and new visitors’ feedback on those products. Number one fair in the industry for us is Gulffood Dubai, then comes Sial China which is followed by Anuga Food Fair in Germany. We will participate in below fairs in 2015: ISM Sweet Fair in Germany, Gulffood Dubai, Thaifex Thailand, FHC China, Confitexpo Mexico.
JASMINE ILKNUR KAFADAR, FOREIGN TRADE EXECUTIVE, FOODIE:
SIAL Paris was very good this year and our Foodie stand was very busy at all days. We were fully satisfied. As an exhibitor it was the first experience for us but we were visitors at 2012. The 2012 edition of the show was more crowded. We exhibited pasta, soft drinks, energy drinks, cooking oil, skimmed and sweetened condensed milk, tomato paste, cube bullion, and powder drink. First three shows in the industry are FOODEX, ANUGA and FANCY FOOD. We will participate in Foodex & Anufood.
HAKAN KEFOGLU, EXPORT MANAGER, ANA GIDA:
This year SIAL was very satisfactory for our company. We could meet our branded product distributors and also our international competitors from Spain and Italy. That gave us a chance to understand the global olive oil market at olive oil business, just right before the harvest in Turkey. SIAL France is always the high light of the year. It is always a pleasure for us to attend. We exhibited KOMILI, KIRLANGIÇ and MADRA branded olive oil, sunflower oil and corn oils. Also we had a chance to launch our spaghetti for the first time at this exhibition. This year, we are participating in 11 exhibitions worldwide. FOODEX Japan, FHC Shanghai, Gulfood Dubai, SIAL Sao Paolo are the most important ones besides SIAL Paris.
GULTEN MIFLEH, TRADE MANAGER, KEMAL KURKER:
n terms of number of visitors and in terms of being specialized customer SIAL Paris was satisfactory. Our company participated in the SIAL exhibition in previous years and obtained new export connections. We established new connections this year also and we received first orders during the fair for our new distributors. We displayed a wide range of products this year at SIAL Show: The Products that we produce in our Eskisehir Factory: Vinegars: Gourmet vinegars and organic vinegars; Sauces: pomegranate sour, lemon sauce, some of our new products such as sumac sour sauce, unripe grape sour sauce, cherry sour sauce and etc. The Products that we produce in our Izmir Factory: Pickles: Cucumber, mixed, rosemary, sweet pepper, hot pepper, frenk, lombardini, sliced jalapeno, roasted red pepper, cabbage, beet, brined grape leaf, Syrups. The products that we produce in our ADANA Factory: Red turnip juices: Hot and sweet turnip juices. We participate in SIAL, GULFOOD, ANUGA, FANCY FOOD.
YAVUZ SAMYANLI, GENELAR MANAGER, CILOGLU GIDA:
Compare the past years it was a great show for us. We have met with very relevant and serious buyers. All our visitors were Professional buyers and traders. We were satisfied to meet with them. It was more crowded this year compared to previous years. We can say that we have seen many different clients from all over the world. We displayed Jelly gums, Turkish delight, snacks and olives. We would definitely participate in ISM-Cologne, ANUGA-Cologne, SIAL and CNR. We are also planning to participate in GULFOODDubai.
ALTUG KAYA, EXPORT MANAGER, FUSKA NATURAL SPRING WATER:
The fair did not perform well at all and we were not satisfied. We exhibited our variety of natural spring water. For us, Sial Abu Dhabi and Sial China are important shows and we will participate in those fairs.
ALIM OZSERT, EXPORT MANAGER, TAT MAKARNA:
Actually, the organization was good but the participation number was so poor. It was obvious that there weren’t too many visitors from African countries. As we heard that the France government did not give visa to many African traders because of Ebola virus. We displayed pasta and semolina. The most important food fairs are, of course, Sial, Anuga and Gulfood and we take part in these important international shows.
ESRA ERIS, FOREIGN TRADE DIRECTOR, HAMIDIYE SPRING WATER:
Of course, we had a great fair. As you know, these kind of fairs offer lots of opportunities to companies for introducing their products. Also Sial Paris 2014 is one of the most important fairs about food and beverage. Besides our target European nations, we could meet with lots of different companies from different geographies. This was our 4th participation. If we compare last one with the others, we can tell that we had a less intense fair. Maybe it was an effect of Ebola virus, we couldn’t get the performance we expected from African costumer participation. This year we exhibited the following products:
– PET GROUP (0,33LT,0,5LT- 1,5LT,5LT,10LT) – CUP GROUP (110CC,125CC,180CC,250CC)
– GLASS GROUP (0,33LT,0,75LT)
– BAG IN BOX GROUP (9LT,12LT,20LT)
Gulfood and Sial fairs are the most important fairs for my companies. We try to participate in maximum number of fairs considering the intensity of our business. Except Europe, after checking import data of countries, we find the right country which has the potential opportunity for our products, then we attend the fair.
MURAT CEVIK, EXPORT MANAGER, FRIGO-PAK:
Sial Paris 2014 was successful and we were quite satisfied it. Sial is an essential meeting place for market professionals and it is a good place to find new business opportunities. It is also a good opportunity to meet with existing customers. Actually we were not exhibiting in last 3 Sial Paris but we had been there as a visitor. We realized that more Turkish companies were exhibiting in Sial Paris 2014 compared to previous years. We have 3 sections in our facility, canned fruits-vegetables, frozen fruits-vegetables and beverages (juices, ice tea and soft drinks). Our canned products and juices were exhibited in Sial 2014. Anuga should be the most important international food fair for anyone involved in the food sector. Fancy Food Show (NY USA), Gulfood (Dubai), Worldfood (Moscow) are very important international food fairs for us.
Hakan KALELI, BEYZADE FOOD:
This year, it was the 50th anniversary of SIAL Paris so we had had great expectations. The participation was good but unfortunately the number of visitors was not enough. One reason is because Turkish pavilion was at the very back of the 3rd Hall and the other reason was Ebola virus. There were not enough African visitors. Thus, we were not 100% satisfied. This was our first year in SIAL Paris but we had attended in SIAL ME and SIAL China before. We exhibited all kinds of Beyzade Olive Oil. We have also exhibited our new product Early Harvest Olive Oil and 100 ml PET bottle products for the first time this year. Anuga, Gulfood and Fancy Food are important shows for our company
IHSAN MERT, FOREIGN TRADE MANAGER, KADOGLU EDIBLE OIL:
As it is known, SIAL Paris is one of the biggest food shows in the world. It was a prosperous and successful exhibition for us. We have been satisfied with the number of the visitors. We found the chance both to meet with the existing customers and potential ones. The location of Turkish pavilion in hall 3 was good. As for the visitors, there was a noticeably decrease in the number of the African visitors. We believe that the Ebola virus problem in Africa effected a lot for their attendance. The visitors from other regions were satisfactory. We exhibited our sunflower oil, olive oil and vegetable ghee products. We also shared our new line of bottle types with our visitors. Our company regularly participates in Sial, Anuga and Gulfood exhibitions. We believe that these three exhibitions are the most important food shows in the market. Besides, we also participate in FHA Singapore, Hofex Hong Kong and FHC China exhibitions.
SULEYMAN ERDOGAN, EXPORT MANAGER, KRISTAL KOLA:
The fair was good. We were satisfied. SIAL Paris was better this year when we compare with the previous event. Last time attendance was less because of the bad timing coinciding with the eid. Thousands of Muslim trader had not come to the show. We displayed energy drink, ginger, raspberry and mastic flavored fizzy drinks. We got good feedback regarding these products. We participate in Gulffood and Anuga trade fair through companies that buy products from us.
SELAMI OZPOYRAZ, CHAIRMAN, POYRAZCAN OLIVE OIL:
It was a very good exhibition to promote our products to many customer from different countries. We had a chance to do a lot of business connections during the exhibition. So, we were fully satisfied. As I have mentioned above it was our first participation in Sial. However, as Poyraz Olive Oil Company we plan to participate in Paris, SIAL continuously. The products we displayed at Sial were Poyrazcan brand Pure Olive Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil products. Paris SIAL is one of them. It is a very important exhibition for our company. Other than SIAL, we plan to participate FHC China in Shanghai, Gulf Food in Dubai, Moscow Foodex, Fancy Food Show New York and Anuga in Germany.
ILGAZ ERGEN, EXPORT MANAGER, ANT GIDA:
This was the first SIAL Paris exhibition of us after the take-over of the company by Mermerler Group. Last time that we had attended SIAL was 8 years ago. I think we will show our face more frequently at such fairs from now onwards. 8 years ago we were only a Table Olive and Olive Oil Company. Now with Billur Tuz, which is our sister-company after the take-over by Mermerler, we have many more products to exhibit and present such as table salt and industrial salt. With this enhanced product spectrum we received more attention from visitors and buyers at this year’s Show in comparison to 8 years ago. In short we can say that we were satisfied with the interest of those potential customers who could find the chance to taste our black and green olives and see our broad range of salts. SIAL-Paris and Anuga are the two must-attend exhibitions that we are planning to take part every year. Additionally exhibitions specifically aimed at the Gulf market, US market, Russian and Far East markets are the ones that we are priorily planning to participate in the years to come. Of course we will also keep an eye on different regional exhibitions.
TAMAY OLGUN, EXPORT AREA SALES EXECUTIVE, TAMEK:
SIAL Paris was satisfying enough both in terms of visitors and exhibitors. As it was a multinational fair we had the chance to meet visitors from various regions. It was very well organized compared to previous years. There were enough officers to guide both exhibitors & visitors. We have presented our fruit juices, ready to eat dishes, tomato and pepper products, canned vegetables and jams. The most important food fairs are Anuga, Gulfood and Sial for our company. We participate in all these three exhibitions.
LEYLA AYDIN YUKSEL, EXPORT MANAGER, AROMA:
We got the chance of meeting new customers besides being able to seeing the customers we already work with. The 2014 edition of the show was quieter than the past events because of Ebola virus. We witnessed smaller number of visitors coming from the African countries. We displayed fruit juices, carbonated drinks, natural spring water and fruit juice concentrates. We will participate in Anuga and SIAL China.
DAVUT KAYA, GENERAL MANAGER, INTERSWEET:
Dating back to 1952 our group has been exporting since 1995. Today we have the proud of selling almost to 130 countries throughout the world. That’s why the fairs are of utmost importance to us. We meet existing and prospective clients at these platforms. SIAL Paris was the same. The main problems in Europe are visa difficulties and transportation/accommodation prices. These setbacks reduce the number of visitors as well as exhibitors in European fairs. This time, the Ebola virus hit the show a little. Still, the fair was good for us. We made lucrative meetings. The main exhibit at our stand this time was our croissants line. It was our pride to successfully display our croissants produced at the largest croissant plant of the world in SIAL in France, which is known as “the castle of croissants” and to receive positive feedbacks and returns. It motivated us. We also exhibited liguorice product category, our new products, and Balaban products which were acquired by our Elvan Group. Gufood and ISM Cologne are the most important shows for us. The Moscow show is also in our priorities. Besides, we have target markets such as South America, Far East and China because of the opportunities in these geographies.
MUSTAFA KURTAY, KUREX FOOD:
We were happy with the crowd we had during the show but still, it was a little less busy than our expectations. However, we can easily say that we had a satisfactory exhibition where we met potential clients from many parts of the world. It was significantly busier this year for our stand. I think this was because the location of our stand which was on one of the yellow-signed routes which visitors follow when interchanging between halls. We were there with all of our product range, which consists of bouillon and stock cubes, soups, juice powder drinks, cake mixes and dessert mixes, mac&cheese as well as hot drink range of ours, which mainly have a wide range of variety in coffee mixes. SIAL PARIS, ANUGA COLOGNE and DUBAI are the most important ones throughout the year, we also participate in other exhibitions like Alimentaria Barcelona, Miami food and beverage show, Sial Middle East.
OSMAN BAKIR, EXPORT & IMPORT MANAGER, ARM FOREIGN TRADE:
It was much better this year than previous years and we were satisfied. We have already started with 3 new countries. We exhibited in 2012 and it was very bad because of wrong exhibition dates. It was after Eid and none of Muslim countries were in Expo. We are specialist in spreadable chocolates with 8 flavors in 160 different packaging. We exhibited these spreadable chocolate items. The most important Exhibition for us is Gulfood. Second one is SIAL and third one is ISM. However, because of the organization and high price levels we don’t exhibit every year. Nowadays, we are looking for new markets and new exhibitions.
EVRE DAVRAN, EXPORT MANAGER, TARIS OLIVE OIL INC:
Sial is one of the most important fairs that we participate in every two-year. We meet with our current customers and also have a chance to meet with potential buyers coming from different countries. It was very satisfying for us this year in terms of visitor number and profile. Overall we noticed a decrease in the number of exhibitors but Turkey participated with more companies than last Sial. Also although there was a decrease in the number of visitors, the visitor profile was satisfying. We both displayed our retail and specialty product range. This year visitors showed special interest in our organic extra virgin, Taris Special, First Harvest and Çig Yag Extra Virgin olive oils and stuffed green olives.
MEHMET ALI KILIC, GENERAL MANAGER, MERAY DRY FRUIT FOOD INDUSTRY:
SIAL 2014 was very good. It was above our expectations. We were fully satisfied. Since this was first time experience for us, unfortunately we can’t compare with previous editions of the show. We displayed dried nuts such as Turkish pistachios, hazelnut, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, maize, cashews and dried raisins. The most important fairs and the fairs that we participate in are Gulfood of Dubai and Alimentaria of Spain.
A. AYSEN OVEN, GENERAL MANAGER, GATA KIMYA VE GIDA:
In terms of interest for our product Sial Paris was incredibly good this year. In general, we were satisfied. Sial Paris may have had a greater number of visitors in previous years, however, since we had the correct product this year visitors were comparatively more. This year we exhibited spray-cooking oils (extra virgin olive oil, organic extra virgin olive oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, vegetable oil, extra virgin olive oil with natural flavors and baking sprays). The most important international food fairs are SIAL, Anuga, Fancy Food and PLMA and our company participates in all of these exhibitions.
FIKRET YILDIRICI, SALES COORDINATOR, SULTANLAR GIDA:
To us, SIAL Paris is one of the most exciting events of the year. It is a good opportunity to present new and developed items to the market as well as to the visitors. Unfortunately, it was not as good as we have expected. We were hoping to meet hundreds of visitors in our booth in order to present them our products all over the world but mostly Europe and Middle East. But the variety of countries and the visitors were so limited. Hence, we do not think that it was satisfactory. The variety of visitors was more satisfactory before, compared to SIAL 2014. Additionally, the number of visitors and business meetings were higher before. This year, there was a definite decrease at all these. It is our hope to be better for the coming ones. We have exhibited pudding, whipped topping, baking powder, vanillin, crepe mix, traditional Turkish desserts, yeast, cocoa, soups, custard, cream caramel, jellies, sauces, spice mixtures, corn flakes, cereals, pastry creams, corn starch, rice flour, powdered sugar, cappuccino, hot chocolate and cake mix. We usually prefer to exhibit at Sial and Anuga
KEKSIN KESKINOGLU, MEMBER OF THE BOARD, KESKINOGLU
The fair was good for us. We made very lucrative contacts. We hope that they will be finalized with trade agreements soon. The importance of the Sial fair is increasing every year. 266 Turkish Companies attended to this exhibition this year. Turkey is in the global market from now on between the most assertive countries. The provided continuity in the quality of the products has begun to carry the Turkish manufacturers to the deserved position in the global market and it is proud to see that. I believe that in the coming years we will see more Turkish companies in Sial fair. Besides of our chicken meat products, we promoted and let tasted in this exhibition our olive oil with our brand Ravika. In addition, the chicken shawarma promotion during the exhibition attracted a great attention. We participate in Gulfood Dubai show
