ISM trade fair set to expand with Asian 2022 edition in Japan
The global ISM sweets trade fair is set to expand into asia, making its Japanese debut in Tokyo as the event seeks to embrace the region’s strong confectionery sector, writes Neill Barston.
Despite the founding event being cancelled this year in Cologne being cancelled in Cologne, it is extending its reach with the new edition of the show set to be staged between 13-15 April, 2022.
ISM Japan is set to take place at Tokyo Big Sight and will serve as the information, communication and networking hub for region’s industry, with over 200 brands expected to participate.
It will feature a broad segment of the sector, including manufacturers, producers, wholesalers, distributors, importers, exporters, brokers and OEM own brands from the following sections will be represented at the event: Sweets, salty snacks, baked snacks, speciality snacks, frozen snacks and raw materials.
Two special sones are the Specialty Market Zone, where free-from, organic, halal and functional products will be exhibited and the Technology Zone, where the latest processing and packaging technologies for sweets and snacks will be presented.
As organisers noted, the showcase reflects the global leading role of Koelnmesse in the sweets and snacks industry as well as in the food and beverage industry.
ISM Japan is a natural enhancement of the existing food and beverage segments of Wine & Gourmet Japan as well as th established food trade fairs that are organised by the Japan Food Journal – FABEX, Dessert Sweets & Bakery Festival, Food & Drink OEM Matching Expo, Noodle Industry Fair and the Premium Food Show.
This will lead to a more efficient synergy between the events and will offer all trade visitors a wider product palette. The seven food shows under one roof will unite extensive industry competence and thus offer an optimal, business-oriented trade fair experience.
Several of the key factors that prompted ISM to enter the Japanese market are a forecasted annual 6.2% growth on the Asiatic-Pacific sweets market from 2020 to 2025 and the fact that Japan is the sixth largest sweets market in the world. In addition to this, the installation of free trade agreements with the European Union and the USA currently make the market entry more attractive for food products from overseas.
“With the introduction of ISM Japan, we are expanding our portfolio of the sweets and snacks segment to also include the Asiatic/Pacific region. We see here enormous growth potential, particularly through the strategic partnership with the Japan Food Journal, which has been on the market for over 20 years and which has expanded its trade fairs year after year.
“In this way, we are not only creating additional synergies with the on-site events, but are also consistently extending our role as the international leader in organising food trade fairs and events regarding food and beverage processing. We are confident that we are creating significant added value for the industry with this new kick-off event,” commented Gerald Böse, President and Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse.
Bastian Fassin, chairman of the AISM working group and member of the executive committee of the German Confectionery Industry Association (BDSI), also supports the move towards Japan: “The Japanese confectionery market represents a great but rewarding challenge for every manufacturer due to the very high quality demands on product and packaging. For example, Japan is already the most important export market in East Asia for the European confectionery industry, which also radiates into the entire Pacific region via its regional trade agreements.” – For further information, visit: www.ismjapan.com