Mexican Healthy Products Summit – January 24-26, 2014

The first annual invitation-only The Mexican Healthy Products Summit will connect key buyers from Mexico's major supermarkets and health food stores with US-based natural and organic products companies who seek distribution in the Mexican Market.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The Mexican Healthy Products Summit seeks North American companies interested in breaking into or expanding distribution in the Mexican market. 80-100 Mexican buyers are scheduled to be in attendance representing major supermarket chains such as Casa Ley, Costco, H-E-B Mexico, Soriana and Wal-Mart as well as specialty health food stores, Nutrisa and GNC.

At this unique summit, exhibitors and buyers will have the opportunity to attend pre-scheduled private boardroom presentations, one-on-one meetings, and networking events; experts will present on topics ranging from reaching the Mexican consumer, healthy lifestyle trends, industry research, and best export practices.

Exhibitor Export Grants

Export grants are available for suppliers who wish to attend The Mexican Healthy Products Summit as part of the U.S. Governments effort to encourage trade between the United States and Mexico. The grants will reimburse eligible attending companies 50% of travel, accommodations, trade show fees and costs associated with exporting. The export grants are available through regional trade associations.

An Evolving Landscape

The demand for healthy food in Mexico is on the rise after recent reports of becoming the world’s most obese country, marginally surpassing the United States. Mexico’s burgeoning healthy products market is in part a result of the government’s campaign to fight obesity through education, food nutrition laws pertaining to schoolchildren, and increased access to healthier products. As Mexican consumers begin to change their eating habits, major supermarket chains and health food stores are taking note.Chuck Cross, President of Trade Show Consulting, LLC., a seasoned trade show event producer in the US and Mexico, is partnering with The Mexican Healthy Products Summit on the January 2014 event launch. According to Cross, “The Mexican healthy food market is rapidly expanding as consumers become more aware that their consumption habits affect their overall health and well-being. Mexico is at a crossroads and while healthy food is still niche, conventional supermarket buyers are catching on to the trend. It’s primetime to introduce the Mexican market to the plethora of healthy products coming out of the United States and hopefully this will spark a movement locally.”

Alejandro Calvillo, director of Consumer Power, a non-profit group focused on obesity explained, "The main cause for this [obesity epidemic] is the deterioration of healthy habits. Our country has the highest consumption of soft drinks in the world—one-hundred-and-sixty-three liters per person annually. It’s also related to abandoning traditional food and consuming junk food.”

According to the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service, while Mexico is a top 20 producer of organic agriculture, the vast majority of organic production is for the export market. Domestic organic production is mainly composed of fresh fruits and vegetables. Packaged organic foods are still in the early stages of development in Mexico but are already beginning to make inroads in the market. The distribution channels for organics are still primarily specialty stores, internet sales, small sections in select supermarkets, and weekly farmers markets such as the Mexican Tianguis and Organic Markets Network (REDAC) coordinated by the Center for Economic, Social & Technological Research for the Agro Industry and World Agriculture (CIESTAAM) of the University of Chapingo.

Prospective Exhibitor Information

The Mexican Healthy Products Summit will take place January 24-26, 2014 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The Summit seeks U.S.-based healthy products companies to attend as exhibitors who wish to explore and expand distribution in the Mexican marketplace. For details and to exhibit, please contact John Pagliaro at john@healthyproductssummit.com or 410.828.4637. For more information visit www.healthyproductssummit.com.

About Trade Show Consulting, LLC

With over 22 years experience producing consumer and trade shows in the United States and Mexico, Trade Show Consulting specializes in launching new events. The company researches trends, markets and attendee interests to identify potential shows to bring buyer and seller together in a neutral forum. Recently, ExpoNext awarded Trade Show Consulting the distinguished honor of producing one of the Top 25 Fastest Growing Shows of 2012, Fabtech Mexico. For more information visit www.tradeshowconsult.com.

Source: Compass Natural Marketing