Expoalimentaria 2010, a food trade fair bringing together Peruvian horticulture growers, exporters, industry specialists with foreign buyers, kicked off in Lima.

The event will bring together commercial delegations from 17 countries and some 14,000 visitors, nearly doubling the 7,500 that attended last year, according to event organizers. Moreover, some US$ 25 million in new business is expected to be generated as a direct result of the networking event.

Last year, 20 businesses from rural parts of the country participated, while in 2010, that number is expected to rise to 25, 90 percent of which will be small- to medium-size businesses.

In addition to the 400 exhibitors and speakers, the event is home to several parallel seminars and conventions: the Third International Convention of Organic Products, the Fifth National Aquaculture Convention and the Second International Seminar on Fresh and Processed Fruits and Vegetables.

Expoalimentaria 2010--organized by the Association of Exporters and with the support of the Peruvian Export and Tourism Commission, the Agriculture Ministry and the Foreign Relations Ministry--aims to position Peru as a strategic provider of food worldwide and a commercial food hub in Latin America.

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com