2007 Taipei International Food Show (Food Taipei)

2007-11-07

Agriculture is Central America’s most important industry. With Europe and the United States as their main export markets, Central American agricultural products are the region’s main source of income.

In recent years, the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has signed a series of free trade agreements (FTAs) with several Central American countries (including Panama, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras) in order to further strengthen economic and trade relations with its diplomatic allies.

After the FTAs took effect, thousands of agricultural products benefited from immediate tariff reductions and eliminations. Companies can now take advantage of duty-free treatment and join in the Taiwanese government’s efforts to promote agricultural products overseas by forming strategic alliances with Central American agricultural producers and kick start cooperative business opportunities.

Coffee has become the most popular and familiar Central American product among Taiwanese vendors and consumers alike, thanks in no small part to the efforts of the Central America Trade Office (CATO) in promoting the Latin American staple in Taiwan.

Of all the foreign exhibitors at the 2007 Taipei International Food Show (Food Taipei), the Central American pavilion was the most visited, with its largest booth area to date which showcased an extensive array of products. Food Taipei this year also welcomed the largest number of Central American businesses and representatives to Taiwan, who together with CATO were able to show the local food industry as well as local consumers that there is much more to Central American products than just coffee. Record-high trade volumes were also reached as a result of the show. Through CATO’s active promotional efforts of Central American products, more and more of these exotic superior goods will no doubt find their niche in Taiwan.

Food Taipei in recent years has developed into the most international and specialized food exhibition in Asia. Attendance this year soared to a total of about 40,000 visitors (from both home and abroad), among whom about 2,800 were international buyers. Held between June 21 and June 24 at the Taipei World Trade Center, Food Taipei was the second largest food-related event in Asia.

Food Taipei 2007 set a new record in joining some 600 domestic and international exhibitors who used over 1,500 booths. Aside from local exhibitors, over two dozen national pavilions were set up for foreign exhibitors who hailed from countries and regions such as Japan, the United States, Central America, Canada, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Africa, Chile, Denmark, and Mexico.

The Free Trade Agreement National Pavilion (FTA) brought together the best of Taiwan’s Central American allies, namely Panama, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras, who introduced indigenous coffee, seafood, sauces, juices, and meat products to Taiwan.

Food Taipei was held alongside the Taipei International Food Machinery and Technology Show (Food Tech Taipei) and the Taipei International Packaging Industry Show (Taipei Pack) to offer buyers every perspective on food and its related industries, from upstream to downstream – and everywhere between.