From the “world granary” to a “supermarket”: Tecno Fidta exhibits the latest technologies to process food

The food that is consumed by a great part of the world is produced in Latin America. Currently, the region generates food for more than a thousand million of people, a seventh of the world population. But said production is essentially primary, and there are a few countries that stand out for including added value products in their dispatches abroad.

For a time, Argentina has set among its economic goals to go from being the "granary" to be a "supermarket of the world", a change aimed in this sense. In our country you can find, throughout the food and agriculture value chain, a great variety of goods and services suppliers that contribute the necessary technology to bring the rural production to the supermarket aisles.

These companies will gather on September 18-21 in Tecno Fidta, the International Food Technology, Additives and Ingredients Trade Fair that celebrates its 14th edition.

"Our country is renowned worldwide due to the quality of its farming and meat, and this prestige is also transferred to food and food technology in general. For this reason, we highlight the importance that the public and private sector work hand in hand to promote the food sector", says Fabián Natalini, Manager of Tecno Fidta.

To measure the importance of the food and beverage industry in Argentina, it is enough to consider certain figures. According to the Association of Food Industry Suppliers (AdePIA) and the Department of Foreign Relationships and Worship, 2,700 companies, mainly small and medium ones (70%), employ more than 300,000 workers. 67% of these companies export part of their production, even to non-traditional markets such as the ones in Africa and Asia. 94% of the firms are national ones and 60% have more than 40 years of experience.

"We have a very strong potential. In Tecno Fidta, we see it one edition after the other when we receive visitors from all parts of the world, and Page 2 Tecno Fidta 14° International Food Technology, Additives and Ingredients Trade Fair Costa Salguero Center Buenos Aires, September 18 - 21, 2018

mainly from Latin America, attracted by Argentine technology and knowledge", states Natalini and adds: "it is true that we still have lots of challenges, such as improving production systems and mainly commercial ones, and to learn how to sell ourselves abroad".

The I+D investment is also a priority. To reach all the markets and fulfill the increasingly demanding standards, it is necessary to develop new technologies for processing and keeping food. In this sense, Natalini highlights: "this is another very important part of the exhibition, the promotion and diffusion of new knowledge related to the industry. For this reason, in each edition we summon a great number of experts and representatives of scientific organizations that exhibit the latest developments and advances. This is also an aspect in which the public and private sector should work together and we seek to make it possible in Tecno Fidta", ends the executive.

Tecno Fidta will be held from 18 to 21 September, 2018 in Costa Salguero Center.