Page 88 - AMEFT Journal 2021-2

EVENTS
Anuga 2021: Focusing on food ‘TRANSFORM’ation
Across the continents, COVID-19 is having a sustaina- ble impact on peoples' lives. The pandemic is having a magnifying glass effect and is revealing the health policy, economic and social weak spots. A representative survey carried out among the exhibitors and visitors of Anuga 2019, in which 60% stated that the industry is facing signi- ficant change. It is no longer purely about how to feed the approx. 10 billion people in the future, but how a sustai- nable food transformation can be achieved with the aid of digitalization and technological progress and with regards to the climate-related challenges. The organizers of Anuga are aware of this transition and are thus placing the focus on food transformation this year in the scope of their key topic 'Transform'.
Being the largest trade fair for food and beverages world- wide, Anuga sees itself as an international business net- work and central communication platform. "We are not only observing how the implementation of the food trans- formation is occurring within the agricultural sector, in the production of food and beverages, or in the global supp- ly and value chains, it is also demanding a new approach with regards to eating habits and consumer behavior. On top of this, there are additional current challenges such as export and travel restrictions, the increased demand for products that are beneficial to health, the virtual standstill in the out-of-home market as well as an area of tension between different systems, for example, globalization ver- sus delocalization or convenience versus sustainability and zero waste. Anuga 2021 will offer new formats here, which will make the many transformation processes visible," ex- plained Stefanie Mauritz, Director Anuga.
In addition to the 10 trade shows, the already an- nounced, new, digital platform, Anuga@home, which is enhancing the physical trade in 2021 and thus providing a hybrid format, will tread new paths and provide further inspiration. This gives the customers of Anuga the option
BIBITA GROUP, ANUGA DRINKS
( Source: Koelnmesse GmbH)
ANUGA FROZEN FOOD
( Source: Koelnmesse GmbH)
to participate even without physically visiting the trade fair. From panel discussions to online seminars, corporate and product presentations, through to the virtual café, there is something for everyone.
Anuga 2021 demonstrates that the food and beverage industry is encountering the challenges of transformation with new approaches and innovative products. The mega- trends include the themes sustainability, health, and digi- talization, which were also confirmed by a representative survey of the exhibitors and visitors of Anuga 2019. The additional food trends include alternative meat proteins, clean label, convenience & snacking, free from and health foods, plant-based proteins or foods, superfoods and an- cient grains as well as sustainably produced or packaged and focus themes like halal, kosher, gourmet and specialty foods, and private label.
Anuga Frozen Food
In Germany, almost every household (97.5%*) buys and appreciates frozen products. With over 17,000 frozen items on the retail market, there is a wide spectrum of products. The annual per capita consumption in Germany is in the meantime around 47 kg. This is a quantum leap compared to 1960 when the average per capita consumption was 800 gm. (*Source German Frozen Food Institute e.V.).
Considering this, Anuga played a key role in the theme frozen food from the very start, because in 1955 this was where frozen products were presented to a wide audience outside of the USA for the first time. And at this year's An- uga (9th to 13th October) the frozen food industry will once again be presenting the industry's most important new
88 AMEFT 2 2021
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