Business was booming at the leading Nordic trade show for organic and sustainable products, which returned to MalmöMässan last week on 17-18 November. Attracting important buyers, independent retailers, distributors, wholesalers, and supermarkets from across the world, Eco Life Scandinavia and the Nordic Organic Food Fair welcomed 3,675 attendees – including senior professionals from COOP, Lidl, Ikea, Hemköp, ICA, Life, Netto, Holland & Barrett, Midsona and more.
With the Covid pandemic causing the closure of face-to-face events, this year’s Eco Life Scandinavia and the Nordic Organic Food Fair were critically timed to inject a new-found business confidence into the sustainability sector. As well as this, the show is integral in helping to shape the organic industry, and most importantly, find solutions to the eminent climate crisis.
Event director, Melina Viking comments: “It was incredible to see the organic and sustainability community in high spirits last week at Eco Life Scandinavia and the Nordic Organic Food Fair. After an unprecedented time of uncertainty, finally, we had the green light to put on an unmissable event for our industry.”
She continues: “The success of the fair is a testament to the resilience of the people that make it – and having Danish Minister Rasmus Prehn open the show, for the first time, indicates not only the importance of promoting organic food and drink – but the importance of ‘face-to-face’ events for the economy. Thank you to all our wonderful supporters, partners, visitors, exhibitors and team members who pulled together to make this an unforgettable two-days.”
Despite the Covid restrictions, visitors from across Europe, including Poland, France, Finland, UK, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany and Poland, came eager to ‘get back to business’ and meet the 450 exhibiting companies. For some, it’s the only fair they attend in the year. Magnus Agnarsson, owner of Veganmatur comments: “There are so many great brands to follow up with here, and absolutely incredible innovation across the show-floor. This is the one show I come to find true vegan innovation. Although the event is on the smaller side (compared to Anuga, Biofach), this is where I actually source my products!”
“Eco Life Scandinavia and the Nordic Organic Food Fair is an important event to find the latest products for our stores. We were very happy with the variation of innovative products on show this year. We look forward to attending again next year,” says Tone Kragh Langfeldt, Purchasing & Category Manager, LIfe AS
Danish Minister Rasmus Prehn opens the show
Denmark is a country with high ambitions for its organic production. With an increased focus on sustainability, globally. Rasmus Prehn, Danish Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries was there to open the show and attend a panel session to discuss the Danish government’s plans to support the organic sector.
During the opening ceremony, Rasmus Prehn commented: “It is a big honour to open this year’s Nordic Organic Food Fair. I’m especially happy to see both producers and retailers here because the development of the organic sector depends on a close co-operation between you and the rest of the private sector, and us in the public sector. Together we can, and will, drive forward the organic way of producing sustainable products for the consumers to enjoy.”
The important panel discussion on the theme of ‘Organic as a part of our sustainable future – increasing the organic market share to reach the EU target in 2030’, chaired by Paul Holmbeck was attended by the Minister and was organised by Organic Denmark and Food Nation. During the session, the Minister said to achieve “three visionary goals for organic” the Danish Government would be allocating €484 million, as part of a new political agreement for Danish agriculture.
“Great energy, results and debates”
The show’s three theatres (Natural Theatre, Organic Theatre and Natural Beauty Theatre) were full of inspiring talks and lively debates across the two days. Expert speakers included senior representatives from Coop, Lidl, Organic Denmark, Weleda, Oatly, NATRUE, Natural Products News, Sproud, Tree of Brands, and more. The Organic Theatre also hosted the first ever ‘pitch to the buyer’ session with Lidl Sweden – where all 6 brands were chosen by Lidl buyers to have further conversations. These included: ALFAGEL, Consorzio Gourm, Germinal Italia, Bio Poland, Conapi Mielizia, and Freezco.
Paul Holmbeck, director of Holmbeck EcoConsult (& IFOAM Board Member) says: “It has been great to see Nordic Organic Food Fair grow and become a dynamic meeting place for the Scandinavian organic sector. There was great energy, results and debates this year. I will definitely be back!”
Natural & Organic Awards Scandinavia 2021
The Natural & Organic Awards Scandinavia celebrated the best new products at the show, which were presented by Event Director Melina Viking, and Diversified Communications’ Managing Director, Carsten Holm. Voted by visitors across 12 categories (with the help of Diana Malcangi, External Scientific and Regulatory Consultant to NATRUE to judge the beauty categories), Intersa Labs, HAGI, Eliah Sahil Organic Care, Super Garden, Ekofrisa, Sip Sap, Lupinta, Wunderfish, Tinymark, WellAware and Rokecto all took home awards for 2021. ‘Best New Innovation Product’ (sponsored by Butikstrender) went to ICEBLIZZ for their Gotland Plant Based Ice Cream.
For the full results, please visit www.ecolifeshow.com/natural-organic-awards-scandinavia-2021-winners.
“Quality visitors” and “strong leads”
Many brands were thrilled with the result of the show and praised the ‘quality of visitors’ and ‘strong leads’ over the two days. Martha Jeuken from Symfonio says: “We had a good show with a lot of interest. Very relaxed with good quality visitors! We hope to come again next year.”
“We’ve made some super contacts with five or six very strong leads. It’s really been a joyful experience for us since the troubles of 2020,” says Gintare, Didziokaite, Head of Exports, Straikas UAB (Sip Sap).
“It was an extremely important event. We have opened new export directions for our brand, we have acquired new and prospective contacts, and we have met some excellent people in the industry. I hope that we will meet again next year,” says Lukasz Barbacki, Export Manager at Miya Cosmetics.
Eco Life Scandinavia & Nordic Organic Food Fair 2022
Eco Life Scandinavia and the Nordic Organic Food Fair will return to MalmöMässan Malmö, Sweden, on Wednesday and Thursday 16-17 November 2022. For more information, please visit www.ecolifeshow.com or www.nordicorganicfoodfair.com.
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