Swiss sweets and snacks:

Swiss exhibitors at the 38th International Sweets and Biscuits Fair (27th-30th January 2008 in Cologne) are presenting products that are both innovative und enjoyable. With its 34 companies, the Swiss participation is (and always has been) one of the biggest groups at the event, which is not surprising, given the firms' broad range of products and extensive export activities. Along with individual stands, the Swiss participation features 17 confectionery specialists on display at the SWISS Pavilion, which is being organized and managed by Osec Business Network Switzerland, and will present a varied product range that combines tradition with innovation (Hall 4.2, K 9 / L 8 - L 39 / M 10 - M 38). In total, 1,675 suppliers from 70 countries will be exhibiting at ISM.

Swiss confectionery stands out not only through its consistently high level of quality (in the form of fine-tasting products, for example), but also through its great attention to detail. Trade visitors to the SWISS Pavilion at ISM 2008, which runs from 27th to 30th January in Cologne, will be able to experience this quality and detail for themselves. Along with the Swiss chocolate manufacturing market leader, exhibiting companies will include numerous small and medium-sized family firms whose products are well known both within Switzerland and beyond the country's borders. These products are made from high-quality raw ingredients using exclusive recipes. The companies continually refine the products and their underlying concepts, while also incorporating new trends and taking into account consumer needs. Many of these firms have long-standing experience and expertise in the production of own-brand articles, making them ideal partners for implementing the premium concepts employed by the European trade.

Swiss confectionery is an export success
The outstanding reputation enjoyed by Swiss confectionery manufacturers is reflected in their export figures as well. According to the Chocosuisse sector association, 58.7% of the total Swiss chocolate production of 168,250* tonnes in 2006 was sold abroad. The strongest growth among high-turnover finished products was recorded by large flat chocolate bars without additives, as well as filled chocolate bars. The biggest of the approximately 140 export markets for Swiss chocolate in 2006 was once again Germany, which accounted for 19.5% of such exports, and was followed by France (12%) and the UK (10.4%). At 11.9 kg per person - or 300 grams more than the figure for the previous year - the Swiss have once again increased their per capita consumption of chocolate. As a result, the country thus remains the leader in per capita chocolate consumption. Innovative product development and the highest levels of quality are the key factors that give Swiss biscuits and sugar confectionery their competitive edge and market success. In 2006, Swiss manufacturers produced 45,762 tonnes* of baked goods (31.6% of which were exported), and 26,142 tonnes* of sugar sweets and sugar-free sweets, chewing gum, sugar coated candy, marzipan, and cough sweets (source: Biscosuisse). The high level of exports for sugar confectionery (69.9%) as compared to other segments of the Swiss food industry remained practically unchanged from the prior year. Although the Swiss increased their consumption of sweets by 200 grams compared with the previous year, the 3.3 kg they consume per capita is relatively low compared to other countries. A look at the figures for sugar-free items shows that the Swiss still keep their health in mind even while enjoying confectionery articles, as the share of total consumption of confectionery accounted for by sugar-free products has consistently increased over the last few years, and now stands at 20.1%.

New exhibitors and products
Swiss manufacturers have done anything but rest on their laurels over the last few months: At ISM 2008, they are once again presenting an extensive range of new products which prove that these confectionery specialists still have plenty of ideas. Trade visitors wanting to offer customers varied products at a high level of quality will find numerous innovations at the joint Swiss stand - not only in the chocolate segment, but also with regard to baked goods, sweets, and chewing gum. The Swiss exhibitors are also being joined by two new companies this year, one of which produces chewing gum, pastilles/sweets, and specialities such as strips, tube-shaped sweets, and liquorice. At ISM, the company will present its all-new original Swiss herbal chewing gum containing a liquid core consisting of 20 herbs, as well as a soft pastille known as Hustol Plus that contains rose hips, cranberry, and lemon balm. Also to be featured are salty liquorice-coated sweets that go by the name of "Vampires". The other new exhibiting company offers the speciality of rock candy, which originated in England and the USA. These decorative and endearing sweets are carefully handcrafted in accordance with an old tradition. They are produced in more than 100 different shapes, ranging from the Swiss cross to clown, Santa Claus, heart, and clover forms. Their unique appearance makes the rock sweets small works of art that please both the palate and the eye, making it almost a pity to have to eat them.

Extraordinary taste experience
The other exhibitors at the joint stand have also supplemented their existing repertoires with innovative products. Connoisseurs of fine chocolate specialities can thus look forward to new and unusual creations. Waiting to be tasted at the Swiss stand are Grand Cru pralines, Pavés and filled chocolates, spiced truffles, coloured and cut pralines, grappa-filled chocolates, and filberts with Earl Grey Tea. One exhibitor is presenting its new praline and chocolate concept, the goal of which is to utilize only the best cocoa beans available in the world. The first tasty result of this concept is known as QUIZÀS. Another exhibiting company has focused on new varieties of large chocolate bars, including organically manufactured, sugar-free chocolate, and chocolate containing omega-3 fatty acids. In the segment for chewing gum, there is a company presenting a liquid-filled product and an extra-large bubble gum that kids especially will enjoy. There's also news on the baked goods front, as savoury snacks and olive-flavoured crackers are set to make parties even better, and a new line of premium baked products is being presented.

*Figures cited are based on data obtained from Chocosuisse and Biscosuisse member companies.

SWISS Pavilion, Hall 4.2
Stand No. K 9 / L 8 - L 39 / M 10 - M 38

The organisers of ISM are Koelnmesse and the International Sweets and Biscuits Fair Working Group (AISM), which is the conceptual sponsor.

More information can be obtained from
Osec Business Network Switzerland, Sandra Müller
Stampfenbachstrasse 85, Postfach 2407, 8035 Zürich, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 (0)44 365 54 51; fax: +41 (0)44 365 52 21
smueller@osec.ch, www.osec.ch

Information on ISM:
www.ism-cologne.de (www.ism-cologne.com)