Shanghai, on May 21st 2009, SIAL China challenged the global economic recession, and managed to bring to exhibitors and visitors a growing success compared to last edition.

- SIAL China 2009 reports a new record of 28 528 visitors who came to learn about the latest news and meet new contacts at the Asian Food Marketplace (an increase of 3% compared to 2008).

- 13% of the visitors came from outside China, mainly from Korea, Japan, Australia, and south-east of Asia.

- 49% of the domestic visitors came from the Shanghai area and 38% came from the rest of China.

- SIAL China is also more international than ever with 1,057 exhibitors, from 50 countries and regions from all over the world came to join the three-day business sourcing.

- A total space of 40,250 sqm makes SIAL China the unique show with a perfect mix: 50% international and 50% national exhibitors in the F&B industry.

- Among the International pavilions, visitors could notice a strong presence of Europe, via France, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Poland, Italian and German regions. For its second consecutive participation in the middle of these European countries, a European booth, crossroads of the European gastronomic patrimony.

-The other continents were well represented with collective participations of United States 2nd largest international pavilion with 462 sqm and 30 exhibitors, South Africa, Tunisia, Vietnam, South Korea, Argentina, Uruguay.

- Very important to mention, a strong participation of Taiwan Region, with the 3rd largest pavilion of this session of SIAL China. In the domestic part, exhibitors were split into 5 specific zones: Dairy products; Wine & Spirits; Snack & Sweets; Condiments & Ingredients; and Coffee.

- 3 Mainland Chinese provinces had also a strong presence: Shandong, Zhejiang, Ningxia

Numerous events gave rhythm to this 10th session of SIAL China:

- Tasty Europe

A high-level European delegation led by EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Mariann Fischer Boel attended the opening ceremony of the SIAL China on May, 19th. Mrs Mariann Fischer Boel spent the complete first day on the show to promote the "Tasty Europe Booth". SIAL China is proud to have welcomed the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, so proving that SIAL China is the best platform to develop food business between China and Europe.

- Cooking Trends Area

The Escoffier Chefs disclosed their culinary secrets during the 2nd session of Cooking Trends Area. And on May 20th, they awarded also the title of best Young Asian Chef to XING Paul from China (Hotel: Banyan Tree Sanya), after a final competed between 6 countries and regions (Thailand, Korea, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore and Mainland China).

- Trends & Innovation

Trends & Innovations competition, showcase of the latest food and beverage new products, gave for its 5th session the special award to the Chinese company Yili Diary Group for its Chocolate Ice Cream product, perfect mix between ice cream and cookies with elaborated receipts (studied for the Chinese market) conditioned by 5 units in a basket packaging particularly simple and practical.

We can note also that among the twelve products retained for their innovative character three come from this leading company of the dairy industry in China. This company has three different activities: powder of milk, milk and ice creams. The innovative products of SIAL China 2009 advanced the aspects of pleasure (new tastes, new textures, vegetal ingredients, and premium products), health, and new packaging (easy to cook, easy to handle)

"SIAL China the number 1 Wine & Spirits trades show in Mainland China"

- A success for the new event "Wine Innovation Forum"

An area dedicated to the wine industry with the grapes area on the international scale and a focus on high value brands. 15 conferences and wine tasting organized with a participation of more than 1 000 visitors coming from Chinese wine activity.

More than 270 bottles of wine have been tasted during the 3 days.

- China Wine & Spirits Competition-Best Buy

For its 10th session, a panel of judges made of wine buyers from retail, sommeliers,bar tenders from hotels, journalists from professional wines & spirits magazines performed a blind taste of the wines and spirits submitted by exhibitors. Each expert evaluated the wines and spirits on taste, appearance and nose, but also on above all on the best value for money ratio.

7 prizes have been given in 6 different categories.

Still red Wine < 3€: Vignerons de Carthage, Tunisia, Domaine de Lanserine

Still red Wine 4€ to 7€: FTI, France, Bad Boy (Bordeaux)

Still red Wine 10€ to 15€: Ozyard International, Australia, Shiraz Premier

Still red Wine > 15€: Alexander Minn Wine Group, USA, Corte River (California)

Dry White Wine < 6€: 2 winners, Vinos De Alborea, Spain, Mizaran (Castilla la Mancha) and Vogus Wine, France, Transparence (Languedoc Roussillon)

Sweet Wine: Chang Yu, China, Golden Valley Diamond Ice (Ice Wine)

The SIAL China Wine & Spirits Dinner, organized this year in partnership with the European Dinner Gala at Hyatt on the Bund has been a great success with more than 350 attendees.

The EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mariann Fischer Boel has honored the gala dinner and awarded the European winners of the China Wine & Spirits Competition.

The Tasting room welcomed this year besides the tasting of wines of the exhibitors, 2 very original and amazing tasting of mineral waters.

Always close to its market, this year SIAL China organized a specific area, called SIAL China Retail and Distribution area with the participation of Carrefour, Metro, Sinodis, Goodwell, Spar, City Shop, and Imported Food United Association of China. More than 300 meetings have been organized between the buyers of these prestigious retailers and distributors and the SIAL China exhibitors.

Save the date for the 10th anniversary of SIAL China in 2010, during the Shanghai World Expo, to make the most of international food business in Shanghai.