Leading Asian distributor shows a taste for British

FFB’s Asia Pacific Workshop proved fruitful for four British companies identified as having good potential in Asia by Jean-Pierre Chesse, Chief Executive of leading Chinese distributor Sinodis.

The Workshop – which featured presentations from Stephen Winterhalder, Managing Director of UK consolidator Foods of Europe; Johnny Lo, Director of Hong Kong importer and distributor Metro Alliance; Rob Eynon, Strategic Account Manager at leading UK freight forwarders Agility Logistics Ltd; and Alan Jack, Export Manager at Tyrrells Potato Chips – offered producers the opportunity to discuss their products’ potential in the dynamic markets of Asia.

The success of the four companies was based on their product range and international experience. It demonstrates the growing awareness of the quality and imagination of British food and drink in the so-called ‘ASEAN’ (Association of South East Asian Nations), a market that is still stronger than China in terms of GDP per capita.

Companies seeking to tap into the ASEAN appetite for British products should consider the 2008 Food Asia show in Singapore on 22 – 25 April 2008. While the population of Singapore is only 4.5million, Singapore is the gateway to ASEAN, due to its high levels of re-exports to other lucrative markets. When the population of these re-export markets is taken into account, the population accessible through trade with Singapore is 60million people – the size of the UK population.

FFB is offering three options to companies interested in exhibiting at Food Asia and exploring their potential in ASEAN: a small ‘pod’ stand, an individual stand and or products displayed in a showcase (ambient products only). For more information about Food Asia, contact Sarah Briones on sbriones@foodfrombritain.co.uk or visit FFB’s Food Asia 2008 page.

09 November 2007