From 23 to 25 May 2013, the annual BioFach China was once again held at INTEX Shanghai. The 7th BioFach China was jointly organized by China Green Food Development Center and NürnbergMesse GmbH, co-organized by China Organic Food Certification Center and NürnbergMesse China Co., Ltd., under the patronage of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). After seven years’ development, BioFach China has become the most influential and authoritative organic trade fair in China. This year, the exhibition attracted 261 exhibitors and 16,235 visitors. Comparing with last year, there is a 38% increase on the number of exhibitors. The result of the onsite survey reflected that both the exhibitors and visitors were very satisfied with the quality of the show.

The first edition after the implementation of the new organic regulations, demonstrated the recovering Chinese organic industry
On July 1, 2012, the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the P.R.C (CNCA) issued the new implementation rules with higher requirements for the producing, certification and the standard of selling for organic products. In addition, a traceable system for organic products was established. Both of these activities led to a higher barrier of entry for organic products and will urge a dramatic improvement on the structure of the Chinese organic market. After one year’s recovery, BioFach China 2013, as the first edition after the new policies, attracted 261 exhibitors to present the new look of the Chinese organic industry. Leading companies such as Tony’s Farm, Just Organic, Organic and Beyond Corperation, Jiangxi Jinyuan, Shanghai Organic, Tang Dynasty Farm, Plusone, Organic Milk Deluxe of Mengniu, Satine Organic Milk of Yili turned up with big and well designed stand to show their brand image and enhance of marketing campaign. Comparing with last year’s BioFach China, a dramatic 38% increase on the number of exhibitors vividly indicates the overall recovery of the Chinese organic industry.     

 
“It is a great honor to be invited to BioFach China. This is our first time participation in BioFach China, which is very fruitful. We have shown our star products from our base farm in Chongming, Shanghai: the organic vegetables, rice, organic free range chickens and eggs, which have won general approval among both the professional trade and ordinary visitors. By making the most of the capability of our group’s restaurant, we prepared a large amount of organic food tasting samples for the show and it attracted many visitors to try our products. BioFach China provides us with the latest information about the industry and the great opportunity to communicate with other organic companies. Besides, we can have face to face contact with customers. We really appreciate the intimated service from the organizer which made our participation a great success,” said Mr Duan Xueqing, General Manager of Tang Dynasty Farm.

The expanding market makes organic maternity and baby products the new spot lights of the show
According to relevant survey, with the contribution of the domestic baby boom, China has become the second largest market in the world for maternity and baby products since 2000. The huge consumer group in China has drawn special attention of the producers of organic maternity and baby products. This year’s BioFach China successfully caught the eyes of many leading companies from organic maternity and baby industry. Such as the French Babybio organic infant formula presented by Vitagermine (China), German Topfer organic infant formula presented by Beijing Baihui Zhiye Science & Technology, imported American organic infant formula by Kehe (China) Food, they all became the focus among trade visitors of the show.

In addition to the organic baby food, organic baby clothes and organic toys were the new highlights of the show as well. Organic cotton baby clothes, socks, respirators and toys brought by exhibitors such LydiaRnC form Korea and Natures Purest Textile (Beijing) surprised many consumers who value organic lifestyle. Besides, many eco daily products designed for infant & mom attracted consumers’ great attention as well, such as ECOVER eco detergents from Belgium and Natracare organic sanitary napkin from UK.

Diversified accompanying programs and popular topics
The accompanying events such as BioFach China 2013 Conference on International Organic Food Market and Development, Match-making Conference for Manufacturers and Dealers, Symposium of Taobao Agricultural Channel’s Merchants Network provided independent platforms for both exhibitors and visitors to know more about the market trends, to discuss the selling models for organic products as well as negotiate future cooperation.

The two-day BioFach China 2013 Conference on International Organic Food Market and Development invited more than twenty experts from government, certification centers, organic companies as well as independent experts to make speeches about the five main topics: the policy and law for Chinese organic food development, the development trend of global organic market, the analysis and expansion of the organic food sales market, organic product, organic culture and healthy life, organic agriculture and innovative development. These wonderful speeches stroked a chord with the onsite audiences. 

The Match-making Conference for Manufacturers and Dealers also invited representatives from six organic retailers and purchasing agents to share their experiences with the audiences, which contributed to the effective business matching. Besides, following last year, Taobao Agricultural Channel once again participated in the show and presented their achievements in the development of promoting organic. In addition, from the perspective of organic E-commerce, the Symposium held by Taobao Agricultural Channel’s Merchants Network provided a rare platform and valuable information for small and medium-sized organic enterprises. The abundant accompanying activities not only provided more opportunities for the development of organic companies in addition to the exhibition, but also injected new vitalities into the structural adjustment of the organic industry.

Successful switch of the show concept, from organic agricultural to organic lifestyle
With the concept of organic striking a deeper chord in the hearts of consumers, an increasing number of consumers and organic producers have recognized the close link between organic products and healthy lifestyle. As the only domestic platform which aims to promote organic products, BioFach China also repositions its show concept to promote organic lifestyle. Mr. Songhe Fan, the Managing Director of NürnbergMesse China said, “BioFach China not only grants the trade visitors the opportunity to communicate and negotiate with their business partners, but also provides the consumers a best platform to get close to the organic product and life.”

Accordingly, BioFach China 2013 arranged a variety of onsite activities to help promote the organic lifestyle, such as the selection of the best organic rice, organic tasting area, and lectures about organic lifestyle. Aiming at better highlighting the authority and uniqueness of the exhibition, as well as raising consumers’ confidence at organic products, the organizer also arranged a stand for onsite visitors to track the organic codes.

To enhance the brand awareness, many exhibitors prepared various interactive activities on their booth to attract visitors’ attention. Exhibitors like YanTai Shinho WeiDaMei Food and Shanghai Organics invited Michelin-starred chef to do the onsite cooking. Organic Milk Deluxe of Mengniu brought the interactive vending machine which used to be presented in the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA). These innovative activities contributed to the high participation of the consumers. 

During the show period, a continuous stream of visitors came to different booths to take business exchanges and cooperation, looking for partners and purchasing organic products. The active participation from more and more visitors indicates the huge potential of a growing organic market, and the credibility of consumers on organic products is increasing year by year. With the new positioning of itself, BioFach China will become the best platform in China for promoting the organic lifestyle, and will witness the booming Chinese organic industry.

Contact for exhibitors
Ms. Tracy Feng, Project Manager
NürnbergMesse China Co., Ltd
Rm. 3508-3510, Kerry Everbright City (Tower 1), No.218 Tianmu Rd. (W)
200070 Shanghai, PR China
Tel +86 (0) 21. 60 36 12 00
Fax +86 (0) 21. 52 28 40 11
Email tracy.feng@nm-china.com.cn