Taking place for the first time in three years, the International Food and Drink Event – a flagship moment in the UK’s food and drink calendar – is returning to London’s iconic ExCeL centre from 21-23 March. Off the back of record trade success for its food and drink exports globally in 2021, Brazil will send seven home-grown businesses to fly the country’s flag.
Annual destination for food and drink
Apex-Brasil, the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, is partnering with specially selected Brazilian food and drink businesses to offer a taste of the country’s vivacious flavour palettes during the three-day industry event. Attended by food and drink specialists from across the UK, IFE attracts industry titans including multi-chain restaurant operators, boutique restaurant entrepreneurs, food critics, manufacturers, and international export partners. The UK Government’s Department for International Trade will also be a primary supporter of the event to help build bridges between UK businesses and global counterparts in new overseas markets.
With almost every country’s cuisine due to be present at IFE, this calendar event promises to showcase the latest innovations in food and drink, provide lessons about the cultural essence behind a country’s iconic products and flavours, and allow attendees to discover new trading opportunities that could raise the bar in culinary experience.
Brazil in the limelight
The Brazilian pavilion, led by Apex-Brasil, will feature seven exciting businesses creating world-renowned products that Brazil is famously known for. Three exhibitors that process and export the country’s iconic fruit, the açaí berry, will showcase how the berry can be used for a wide-range of healthy dishes and snacks that European consumers are increasingly on the hunt for to suit their changing tastes and lifestyle preferences. As well, they will be joined by Brazilian fine wine specialist, Garibaldi; speciality meats brand, Seara; confectionery producer, Florestal; and Brazilian grocery specialists, Gaya Foods during the event.
Marcio Rodrigues, Agribusiness Manager, Apex-Brasil, commented “The UK continues to be a major market for international trade and its demand for products that are new and exciting has only increased in recent years. Brazilian produce continues to perform well with this in mind and the country’s use of innovative technologies and sustainable agricultural practices continues to uphold its reputation as a crucial element of the world’s global food supply chains.”
Offering tastings of the famed açaí berry to IFE visitors, Xingu Fruits, Petruz Açaí and Polpanorte’s range of products inspired by its healthy properties will be available to try at the Brazilian pavilion. Visitors will get the chance to meet the exporters, taste the anti-oxidant rich berry for themselves, as well as try a range of delicious snacks and treats inspired by its versatility.
The açaí berry originates from, and continues to be grown deep within, the Amazon rainforest, and thrives in its humid weather conditions. It is a totally organic product and 95% of the açai consumed in the world comes from the state of Pará, in Brazil. The rarity of the fruit positions it as an exotic addition to the plates of diners and consumers across the world, but in particular, it has caught the attention of European tastebuds. The berry’s success in terms of exports around the world in recent years is attributed to steps taken in agricultural innovation and sustainable business practices by Brazilian fruit producers.
To read more exclusive features and latest news please see our February issue here.
Media contact
Rebecca Morpeth Spayne,
Editor, International Trade Magazine
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922
Email: [email protected]
