Poland is the partner country of fish international 2008
The Polish fish industry produces in over 400 companies and the total value of their fish production amounts to over one billion US dollars per year. In 2006, these companies supplied about 325,000 tonnes of fish. About 157,000 tonnes or just under 50 per cent of production go into export every year, particularly to Germany (60 per cent), Denmark , Great Britain and the Czech Republic.
"These figures speak for themselves. Germany is still the most important export partner for this expanding production segment in Poland which supplies to markets in many countries throughout the world. These excellent prerequisites made Poland an obvious choice for the partner country of fish international 2008", says Hans Peter Schneider, the Managing Director of fair organisers MGH Messe- und Ausstellungsgesellschaft Hansa GmbH.
The organisers of the Bremen fair were able to take the three most important associations of the Polish fish industry on board for the event: the Polish Association of Fish Processors, the Fish Market Development Association, and the Association of Polish Fish Importers. All of them will be presenting themselves together with Polish companies at a joint pavilion.
"For Germany , Poland is the most important supplier of canned herring products and marinades. Last year they exported a total of 26,081 tonnes. In comparison, Denmark supplied only 6,900 tonnes in the same year", says Jerzy Safader, the Chairman of the Association of Polish Fish Processors , to illustrate the dimensions.
German importers are also interested in salmon, herring, cod and sprat, however, mainly as ready processed products... with a rising tendency.
Andreas Maak, the Sales Manager at the smoked fish processor's Laschinger in Bischofsmais (Bavaria), shares this opinion: "Exports to Germany will continue to rise especially in the convenience products segment because the market for processed fish products and ready meals is set to grow in Germany, too", is his prediction.
Poland is already one of the "heavyweights" in the export segment for smoked salmon. Eighty per cent of the German retail sector receives supplies of smoked salmon from their eastern neighbour. The salmon smokehouse Morpol is in the meantime the market leader. Based in Ustka, the company is not only the biggest but also the most modern smokehouse in Europe . After merging with the German smokehouse Laschinger in May this year the company will in future be processing 60,000 tonnes of raw materials per year to smoked salmon.
The good economic relations between the two countries also have a positive effect on German exports. "The Polish market will become increasingly interesting for products from Germany , especially in the delicatessen sector", underlines Andreas Maak. "For example, in comparison to Germany , proportionally more fish is eaten in Poland than in western Europe and due to rising income levels high-value products and salmon are becoming increasingly important, too."
Alexander Krause, the Managing Director of Gewaerzmuehle Nesse, is convinced of the fact that Poland is a growth market. Gewaerzmuehle Nesse has been represented on the Polish market by the company Boom from Kolobrzeg since 1996. "As far as the product portfolio for fish processing is concerned, Poland is very innovative. This is particularly true of tastes in the salad and matje herring segment", says Alexander Krause to give some examples of fish processing that will be on display at fish international 2008 in Bremen . And by the way: Gewaerzmuehle Nesse will be taking over 30 of its most important customers from Poland , Russia and Ukraine , plus other partners, to the Bremen fair.
On Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 February the East-West Forum will pick up the topics catering, retailing and processing. "The topic on Monday will be the Polish catering market and will include its market and distribution channels, as well as its convenience products with a special focus on trends, price structures and quality but also on logistical know-how. Visitors will find answers to questions such as: Where and in what form is fish sold at the retailer's in Poland ? What regional conditions exist in Poland ? Which are the major retail chains?", says Sabine Wedell, the Project Manageress of fish international, naming some of the topics of the two-day fair programme. Information on fish trading structures in Germany and opportunities and perspectives for companies from the partner country will also be of interest to Polish exporters.
The main topic on Tuesday will be processing. The focus here will be on the latest developments in the packaging sector and the processing of convenience products.
The eleventh fish international will take place at the Bremen Exhibition Centre from Sunday 10 to Tuesday 12 February 2008 from 10:00 to 18:00. For further information please visit our homepage at http://www.fishinternational.com/
Note to Editors: Recent pictures in printable quality are available for downloading in the press section of our website at http://www.fishinternational.com
Further information:
MGH Messe- und Ausstellungsgesellschaft hansa gmbH
Jutta Never, Phone: +49(0)4 21 / 35 05 - 4 47, Fax +49(0)4 21 / 35 05 - 3 40
E-mail: never@messe-bremen.de; Internet: http://www.messe-bremen.de
MGH Messe- und Ausstellungsgesellschaft Hansa GmbH
Theodor-Heus-Allee 21-23
28215 Bremen, Germany
Geschaftsfuehrer: Hans Peter Schneider
Sitz der Gesellschaft: Bremen
Registergericht: HRB Bremen 13551