IFFA 2013: The No. 1 for the meat industry consolidates its position

IFFA 2013 closed its doors with outstanding results in terms of exhibitor and visitor numbers and exhibition space occupied.

or six days, 960 companies (2010: 942) from 47 countries presented their latest products to an audience of trade visitors. Particular mention must be made of the high level of internationality at this year’s leading trade fair for the meat-processing industry and the butchers’ trade. With 60,266 trade visitors (2010: 58,245) from 142 countries, IFFA grew by 2.5 percent. 61 percent of all visitors came from outside Germany. The proportion was similar on the exhibitor side: 57 percent of companies are based outside Germany. Additionally, the exhibition space occupied rose by six percent to 110,000 square metres (2010: 103,900). “At this year’s IFFA, there were only winners. Exhibitors and visitors are extremely pleased with the fair and the results achieved. The increases in all main indices reflect the high level of dynamism in the sector”, said Wolfgang Marzin, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Messe Frankfurt, summing up the situation. “IFFA is unrivalled as the leading innovation platform and meeting place for the meat-processing sector.”

The majority of visitors from outside Germany came from the Russian Federation, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Austria, the USA, Switzerland and China. There were also large numbers of visitors from Australia, South America and East Europe. For the industry, the large proportion of international visitors is an important factor for the positive rating given to the fair. Correspondingly satisfied was Berthold Gassmann, Chairman of the Meat Processing Machines Association of the Federation of German Machine and Plant Manufacturers (Verband Deutscher Maschinen und Anlagenbau – VDMA): “As in the past, this year’s IFFA demonstrated impressively that it is the world’s leading event for the meat-processing sector. The level of internationality has risen again, the number of visitors is up and, in particular, the visitor standard was extremely high. The top decision makers of companies of all sizes from Germany and the whole world were there. And this shows that, thanks to its unequivocal focus on meat, IFFA is held in high regard by all experts.”

As at the previous edition of the fair, one of the biggest groups of visitors was the butchers’ trade. Speaking on its behalf, Heinz-Werner Süss, President of the German Butchers’ Association (Deutscher Fleischer-Verband – DFV), also drew a positive conclusion: “Three successful special shows, seven great competitions, innumerable productive discussions with colleagues from home and abroad, as well as countless new impressions, impulses and ideas – IFFA 2013 was no less important and valuable for me as a master butcher and company owner than as a representative of the German butchers’ trade.”

Both exhibitors and visitors gave the world’s leading trade fair top ratings for quality. On the exhibitor side, the positive overall rating rose from 81 to 86 percent and, on the visitor side, from 94 to no less than 97 percent. The Messe Frankfurt poll also reveals a positive view of the economic situation in the sector. 89 percent of exhibitors rate it as being satisfactory to good, an increase of five percentage points. The perspective on the visitor side is similar with 88 percent giving a satisfactory to good rating.

One of the main aspects at this year’s leading trade fair for the meat-processing sector was the sustainable use of energy and resources whereby particular attention was paid to automation on the production side. Another very important subject was food safety because hygiene, labelling and traceability along the whole process chain are vital for consistent high quality in the meat-processing sector. Other important subjects for the butchers’ trade at this year’s IFFA included regionalism, convenience products and takeaway sales.

Another focal point at IFFA was on ingredients, spices, additives, casings and packaging materials, which are used in both the butchers’ trade and the meat-processing industry. Other subjects discussed included clean labelling, the reduction or exchange of additives and allergens that have to be declared and artificial aromas and ‘walking food’, i.e., products catering for the way of life and eating habits of younger target groups. In this case, the spotlight is on characteristic sauces or appealing takeaway packages.

The next IFFA will be held from 7 to 12 May 2016.