Fine Foods from Israel at Anuga 2009 – Prominent appraisal

Cologne/Tel Aviv, 16 October 2009 – The exhibitors at the Israeli National Pavilion at Anuga 2009 look back satisfied at five successful days at the world’s major food and beverage fair. An abundance of positive business contacts and the official visits of two EU Commissioners prove that Israeli products enjoy an increasing popularity in the international food and beverage sector.

For the first time in ten years, Israel participated with a National Pavilion at Anuga. After officially opening the trade fair, Günter Verheugen, Vice-President of the European Commission and EU Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry, visited the Israeli National Pavilion as part of a round tour. On Tuesday, finally, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mariann Fischer Boel, convinced herself of Israels’s culinary diversity in the presence of Israel’s Ambassador to Germany, Yoram Ben-Zeev.

At the Pavilion, 16 exhibitors presented a broad range of innovative high-quality products. The product range reached from traditional pastries, marmalades and honey over spices, salads and cheese to frozen desserts, ice cream and preserves.

“It was nice to be back in Cologne after ten years – especially with such a welcome. The visits of EU Commission Vice-President Verheugen and Commissioner Fischer Boel were a great honour for us”, underlines Michal Neeman, Business Development Manager in the Food and Beverage Sector of the Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute (IEICI). The IEICI – a nonprofit organization, founded as a joint venture between the Israeli government and the private sector – organized the Israeli presence at the fair.
A Culinary Crossroads

Israel's vibrant and growing food industry has become synonymous with exceptional quality, rich ethnicity, and outstanding creativity. In addition to Israel's reputation for its signature produce, the country is well known as an innovator of nutritious and delicious processed foods. Israel enjoys free trade agreements with the European Union, Turkey, United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Jordan, and Egypt.

Ethnic Mediterranean Food

Geography and demographics combine to make Israel a culinary crossroads, where European, Middle Eastern, and North African cuisines blend together, resulting in diverse original Mediterranean and ethnic-style foods. Israel's Mediterranean cuisine is based on a wide variety of freshly grown fruits and vegetables, olive oil, dairy products, fish, and poultry. Israeli food is produced and exported to the best markets of Europe, the U.S., and other locations to meet the growing demand for eclectic foods. It competes well throughout the gourmet market.

Specialty and Gourmet Food

Rich culture, authentic recipes, personal approach, and the unique harmony of high quality ingredients are the secret to Israel’s broad range of gourmet and specialty foods. These artisanal products, which capture the essence of Israeli food, are made using traditional methods, often in small villages throughout Israel. Wrapped in appealing decorative packaging, these products entice consumers with a message of luxury and indulgence.

Health and Organic Food

Health awareness, which remains at the top of Israel’s agenda, has driven the country's extensive offering of meatless, sugar-free, and organic products. Placing a
heavy emphasis on R&D, many Israeli health food manufacturers have developed innovative health foods, including gluten-free and lactose-free products that are exported worldwide.

Kosher Food

The recent global growth in kosher food consumption by Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and vegetarians has increased the demand and preference for Israel's kosher food to peaks not projected 5 years ago. Consumers of kosher food wish to manage their health and nutrition, and tend to believe that "kosher is healthy." The "kosher" seal on a food package promises higher than average quality and reliability, as well as a higher level of supervision over the production process than is conducted in the conventional food market. Israel is the second largest producer of kosher food in the world, after the United States.

About The Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute:
The Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute (IEICI), a non-profit organization supported by the government of Israel, advances business relationships between Israeli exporters and overseas businesses and organizations. Representing the majority of Israel's food exporters, IEICI’s Food & Beverage Division’s mission is to promote Israel’s industrial capabilities through business cooperation on all levels: trade shows, purchasing delegations, professional tasting events, etc.

Contact Information:
Ms. Michal Neeman
Business Development Manager
Food & Beverage Division
The Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute
29 Hamered Street, Tel Aviv, Israel 68125
Tel: +972 3 514 2859
Fax: +972 3 514 2881
E-mail: michal@export.gov.il
Website: www.export.gov.il

c/o Media Consulta Deutschland
Mr Robert Anders
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Tel: +49 (0) 221 3500 316
E-mail: r.anders@media-consulta.com

This release was published on openPR.