Chile is introducing itself at Prodexpo, one of the biggest specialist food fairs in Russia and Eastern Europe and an industry leader over the last 20 years.

Chile’s pavilion will be there with 11 companies: Viña Ralco, Cremaschi Furlotti Winery, BDP Chilean Food, Bodegas y viñedos de Aguirre, FL Wines, Maola Wines, Agrosuper, VIA Wines, Pacific Nuts & Sutil Family Wines, Mercofrut and Nerkinhue Vineyards.

“Our participation in this fair has increased over time. Last year, 9 companies attended and this year there are 11,” emphasized ProChile’s Trade Attaché in Russia, José Campusano.

Mr Campusano added that initiatives like this are designed to increase Chile’s presence in this market whose geographical location and climate mean it is counter-seasonal to the Southern Hemisphere. This, together with the fact that it has a population of 142.9 million people, makes it an important market for imported food products.

Attending this trade fair is part of the “Foods from Chile, Source of Life” campaign which presents the Chilean food industry through five attributes: quality, innocuity, traceability, international guarantee and natural flavour.

Prodexpo takes place in the city of Moscow from 8 to 12 February and is expected to attract hundreds of importers and buyers, as well as Russian officials related to the food industry.

Trade relations between Chile and Russia

Chile is the main supplier to Russia of frozen mussels, whole trout, unshelled walnuts, prunes, fresh blueberries and the biggest supplier of wine from the New World.

In 2015, Chilean exports to Russia exceeded US$588 million, putting it in 14st place in the ranking of markets. 97.7% of this total corresponds to the food industry, being salmon, trout, pork meat, grapes, fruit pulp, vegetables and apples the main products imported by Russia.

“At 2015 our total food exports to Russia totalled US$588 million and we can still continue to grow. This is why this trade fair is an excellent showcase for Chilean products,” said Campusano.