Planet

Cibus 2021, the fair of restart?

September 6, 2021

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Cibus 2021 in Parma, Aug. 31 to Sept. 3, has been billed as ‘the fair of restart’. Undoubtedly, in many ways. Travel impressions and brief notes to follow.

Table of Contents

1) Scenario

1.1) Industry numbers

The fair organized by Fiere Parma and Federalimentare, interestingly, was preceded by proclamations from Coldiretti rather than the Italian food industry. Proof, unfortunately, of Palazzo Rospigliosi’s dominance over policy and public sector information.

Agribusiness-as it has been known for more than two decades-is the sector that drives the Italian economy, with slow but steady progress. The industry sector expects to reach 154 billion in sales in 2021, +6.5 percent in volume and +8 percent in value (Federalimentare data). Exports seem to be flying, +10% in the first half of 2021, toward 50 billion euros by the end of the year. (1)

1.2) The coming storm

However, revenues are not enough to express the health of the Italian agribusiness supply chain. Factors of production experience extraordinary cost increases. From +35% to +80% raw materials, +25% electricity, +200% tripled pallets, more than doubled shipping and packaging. (2) Word of Ivano Vacondio, president of Federalimentare.

The storm is coming, and the Italian Republic – instead of following the example of neighboring France in effectively enforcing the EU Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (3) – has yet to do anything. Except, on the contrary, to assume unacceptable exceptions to the UTPs(Unfair Trading Practices, EU dir. 2019/633) directive under joint pressure from Coldiretti, Confindustria and Federdistribuzione. (4)

2) CIBUS 2021

2.1) The statements

Parma hosted the first fair in attendance, almost a year and a half after the first lockdown. The numbers of Cibus 2021 marked the restart with more than 2 thousand exhibitors and–according to Fiere di Parma–40 thousand visitors. Albeit in narrow spaces compared to previous editions (-25%).

Instead, measures to contain the Covid infection would have prevented visits by importers and buyers from China, Japan and Australia. Although, according to the CEO of Fiere di Parma, there was no shortage of brokers from Korea and the US. And the‘excellent attendance‘ of visitors from Germany, France, northern Europe, Russia, the Middle East and South Africa was recorded.

2.2) Exhibitors. Quality in the lead

Italian industries and companies present at Cibus certainly gave their best. Visually striking, hospitable and spacious booths showcased the best qualities of a Made in Italy food tied to tradition and yet current. At a glance, attention is noted toward:

– supply chain projects. Outstanding among others are Oranfrizer’s 100% Sicilian pomegranate juice and Costa d’Oro’s ‘Umbro’ DOP extra virgin olive oil in synergy with Assoprol,

– biological. Peerless eggs from La Masera farm in Valmozzola (PR). And of great interest, in innovation, is Fiorentini’s wide variety of snacks,

– sustainability. Only paper for La Molisana zero-impact pasta packaging, ‘antibiotic-free from birth‘ Italian pigs used for Martelli cooked ham, etc,

– health claims, free from
. Parmigiano Reggiano DOP finally emphasizes the absence of preservatives, as well as lactose. But also the richness in calcium and phosphorus and the presence of selenium,

– veg, plant-based
. Industrie Rolli Alimentari, a historic player in quality frozen foods, also offers a wide variety of ready meals with vegetable proteins. From yellow peas, without pesticide residues.

3) WHICH FAIR?

The great efforts and investments made at Cibus 2021 do not seem to have found concrete feedback-beyond the pleasure of ‘getting together’ among friends and colleagues-in a fair that was literally deserted. And containment measures objectively do not justify the Desert of the Tartars. Importers and buyers simply have to choose where to go.

Milan-with Expo 2015, but also the Salone del Mobile and Fashion Week-is said to have buried the Parma Fairs. And yet it is almost certain that Tuttofood 2021, in turn, will lose visitors ‘who matter’. In an imbecile attempt to compete with Anuga, beyond doubt Europe’s premier trade fair for the industry.

Interim conclusions

Can the country-system still afford arrogant pitched battles, or is it instead a case of organizing an Italian food fair that can approach SIAL (Paris) or Alimentaria (Barcelona)-if not even Anuga in Cologne-with the good sense not to oppose it?

Dario Dongo