A traveling trade fair of quality Italian wines and foods will be making two stops in Russia this year, a clear sign of the growing importance of this emerging market.
Vinitaly Cibus Russia 2007 kicks off Tuesday here in the Russian capital and for two days will see 140 wine and cheese producers present their best to Russian sector operators, the specialised press and opinion makers.
The event will be opened by Italian Agriculture Minister Paolo De Castro, who on Monday met here with his Russian counterpart, Alexi Gordeiv.
"Italy is very interested in cooperating with Russia through joint ventures, transferring technology and working together in scientific research and development. This market represent a great opportunity for the food sector," De Castro said on Monday.
According to the Italian Foreign Trade Institute (ICE); Italy last year exported 282 million euros in food goods to Russia, a 21.1% increase over the previous year.
This include increases of 51.8% pickled products, 51.1% for dairy products, 43% for oils, 40.5% for fruits and vegetables, 30.7% for pasta products, 30.3% for sweets and baked goods, 27.7% for wines and 22.5 for coffee.
Some 600 Russians are expected to attend the two-day event in Moscow and another 300 when Vinitaly Cibus makes a one-day stop in St Petersburg on June 7.
Vinitaly Cibus is an offshoot of Vinitaly, Italy's most important wine trade fair. It has already been staged this year in India and after Russia will travel to the United States, Japan and China.
