What role will organic products play in the confectionery sector in the future?

The 38th International Sweets and Biscuits Fair (ISM) is taking place from 27th to 30th January 2008, and for the first time the fair features a presentation platform especially for the trend-setting organic segment. The "Organic Avenue" in Hall 11.2 is the venue for a concentrated presentation of the latest organically produced and processed confectionery products and snack items. The Organic Avenue is open to producers of organic products and all ISM participants who would like to take advantage of a second presentation area at the trade fair where they can put their organic offerings in the spotlight. And the supporting programme is also focusing on the organic trend. On the Tuesday afternoon of the fair, an illustrious group of experts are to take part in a panel discussion addressing the future role of organic products in supermarkets.

The programme at a glance:
How are organic confectionery and organic snacks developing in the supermarkets? - What role will organic products play in the confectionery sector in the future?

- Alfred T. Ritter, CEO of Alfred Ritter GmbH & Co KG, has confirmed his participation.
- Hans Vriens, Board of Management member and CIO at Barry Callebaut, will discuss the purchasing of organic raw ingredients
- Hermann Sievers, smk-Beratung, Hamburg, and former head of marketing at Edeka Zentrale, knows the market from a trade perspective.
- Nutritionist Iris Löhlein of the Frankfurt agency Relations will discuss the nutritional science background of organic confectionery.
- A 100% organic manufacturer, Georg Rösner has been producing premium-quality organic products for many years.
- Dr. Uwe Lebens, Deputy Chairman of the International Sweets and Biscuits Fair Working Group (AISM), will attend as a special guest.

Bernward Geier, former director of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), is hosting the panel discussion addressing the organic segment.

Organic products are conquering supermarket shelves.
The trend towards organic product ranges is drawing additional impetus from all sides. Retail merchants are looking at their product assortments and noticing that organic products have not yet made a significant impact on the confectionery shelves. Only a limited assortment of items from umbrella brands is available. If a broader and deeper range of products were offered, the result could be more substantial turnover and good profits.

Markus Rippin, a market researcher at Agromilagro research, is providing an overview of the latest market data for organic confectionery in the various segments and sales channels.

The panel discussion will then address the following issues:
- Organic raw materials and market volume
- Which products are well represented in the specialist trade?
- Organic confectionery that is already available in conventional supermarkets
- Which organic confectionery products will be in strong demand in the future?
- Manufacturers' and retailers' responses to current consumer trends
- Confectionery and health - how can these two concepts be combined?

Manufacturers respond to consumer demand and are beginning to produce organic confectionery products. Even as recently as ISM 2007, numerous exhibitors were already presenting organic products in the segments sugar confectionery, chocolate, pralines, biscuits and savoury snacks.
Date: Tuesday, 29th January 2008
Time: 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Venue: Europasaal - Koelnmesse's Eastern Halls
Simultaneous interpreting: German/English
It is not necessary to register in advance.

A total of 54 suppliers will be taking part on the "Organic Avenue". The 38th ISM will feature 1,675 exhibiting companies from 70 countries, a record-breaking turnout. ISM, the international confectionery industry's leading trade fair, is open only to specialist buyers from the wholesale and retail trades.
The fair is open from Sunday, 27th January to Wednesday, 30th January 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

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

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

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