2013 EXPOAPEN concludes successfully

Sept. 30, 2013 - PRLog -- The EXPOAPEN conference exceeded the US$37 million that were projected for this year’s purchase intention, besides having included new products for the exports market, such as processed foods. During the event, 80 international buyers and 257 national exhibitors participated offering agro-foods, tourism, handcrafts, technology, textiles, garment, leather and footwear services and products.

National exhibitors had the opportunity of participating in business sessions with international buyers, mainly from the United States, Europe and Central America, with the purpose of selling their products. Even though the fair has already concluded, these business sessions are still being held and the final report with detailed sales figures will be presented until this Friday, October 4^th.

Sigrid Morales, Director of Exports of the Nicaraguan Producers and Exporters Association (APEN, for its acronym in Spanish), declared that France, the United Kingdom and Italy were particularly interested in buying tubers and roots, something new since their traditional demand is for coffee and sesame.

“The areas that stood out this year in the European sector were fruits, vegetables and also chia seeds”, highlighted Morales. She also detailed that France showed interest in dragon fruit, plantain and mangoes; the United Kingdom in tubers and roots; and Italy in roots and fruits. “If these negotiations are finalized, these would be new products exported to Europe”, explained Morales.

On the other hand, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala were interested in processed foods. Jelly, toasted coffee, jam, seasonings and honey were part of the most appreciated processed foods of the event, although it was the first time they were exhibited.

EXPOAPEN is an annual, international fair organized by APEN in Nicaragua with the objective of creating a promotion platform for the exporting offer of the country. The conference facilitates commercial contact in sectors such as food, organics, information technologies, tourism, handcraft and services.