The World Trade Center Miami welcomes you to the Americas Food & Beverage NEWS, offering you updates from the industry and useful information on the 12th Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference.

REGISTER NOW TO ATTEND THE SHOW FOR FREE SCHEDULE ONE-ON-ONE APPOINTMENTS INDUSTRY RELATED NEWS
INDUSTRY RELATED NEWS

• Large Grocers, Wholesalers Appeal to Latinos
• Mexico Continues to Increase its Production and Consumption of Snack Foods
• More Grocery Chains Say Bienvenidos to the Hispanic Market
• Pork Demand Rebounding in Mexico, but Excess Inventory Must Be Worked Off
• Argentine Asparagus Growers Aim for Greater Share of U.S. Market
• U.S. - Canada Agreement for Organic Trade Equivalence Announced
• Hormel Foods and Herdez Del Fuerte Announce Launch of MegaMex Foods
• 2009 Independent Grocers Survey Results Releases

FEATURED EXHIBITOR – Belize Pavilion
The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (Beltraide) and the Inter-American Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) are bringing a pavilion of small enterprises from Belize to the 12th Americas Food & Beverage Show. Their objective is to assist companies in diversifying and increasing their exports to foreign markets, including the United States. Participating in this year's Americas Food & Beverage Show is the final stage of a 3 phase export competitiveness development program, where Belizean producers will be showcasing their premium products to the North American Market. For more information, visit www.belizeinvest.org.bz

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Register to Attend Show for FREE

Sign up now for FREE Sign-up now for FREE to attend the 12th Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference. Attendees will see the hottest trends in foods and beverages from across the U.S. and around the world. The event will take place November 9-10, 2009 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Check out new foods and ideas from hundreds of exhibitors representing 17 countries. There will be thousands of great products on display for every need and budget. The popular "New Products Showcase" is back for you to discover all that's new. Click here to register.

Schedule One-on-One Appointments

The Americas Food & Beverage Show is the place to be for buyers looking for new ideas, products and solutions for their businesses. To help buyers zero in on the products they want, the show has partnered with ECRM Group to deliver a "one-on-one appointments" program that matches retailers, foodservice buyers and distributors with exhibitors that meet their needs. Click here to participate in the program.

Industry Related News

Large Grocers, Wholesalers Appeal to Latinos
Several major chains are expanding their specialty offerings to capture business from Latinos. Other retailers are opening new stores that target Hispanic shoppers. Developing new stores or venturing into new markets may seem like a dicey proposition during a recession, but a recent U.S. Census report shows the Hispanic population grew 3.2% between 2007 and 2008. Better serving an existing and rapidly growing population could pay off well for retailers, according to The Associated Press. Full Story 6/15

Mexico Continues to Increase its Production and Consumption of Snack Foods
New product lines now stress health quality and are being promoted through strong campaigns by large manufacturers. Younger consumers are open to new and innovative products, and are the primary consumers of imported products from the U.S. FAS Report 6/11

More Grocery Chains Say Bienvenidos to the Hispanic Market
With the popularity of cooking Mexican cuisine at home on the rise, it's no surprise that retailers, specifically grocers are paying more attention to Hispanic markets. More and more stores are bringing the Hispanic foods out of the ethnic aisle and into the mainstream sections of the stores. Yumsugar 6/17/09

Pork Demand Rebounding in Mexico, but Excess Inventory Must Be Worked Off
Mexico was a high consumption country for U.S. pork exports through the first four months of 2009, totaling more than 390 million pounds. valued at $265 million, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Although this is a 61% increase in volume and a 50% increase in value over the same period last year, these results reflect the impact of the H1N1 influenza outbreak. Full Story 6/16

Argentine Asparagus Growers Aim for Greater Share of U.S. Market
The Association of Argentine Asparagus Growers exports one million kilograms of asparagus worldwide but aims to double that figure, to two million, by leveraging more North American business, reported The Packer Online. Full Story (Subscription Required) 6/17

U.S. – Canada Agreement for Organic Trade Equivalence Announced
An agreement was reached between the U.S. and Canada to accept each other's organic standards and products. The "equivalency agreement" follows a review by both nations of the other's organic certification program and a determination that products meeting the standard in the U.S. can be sold as organic in Canada, and vice versa. The agreement goes into effect June 30. Canada is the largest estimated export market for U.S. organic products. Full Story 2/12-6/30

Hormel Foods and Herdez Del Fuerte Announce Launch of MegaMex Foods
Hormel Foods and Herdez Del Fuerte, S.A. de C.V., reached a definitive agreement to create MegaMex Foods, a 50/50 joint venture to market Mexican foods in the U.S. The venture expands an existing agreement between the two companies and the portfolio includes brands such as Chi-Chi's, Herdez, La Victoria, Embasa and Dona Maria, among others. Full Story 6/19

2009 Independent Grocers Survey Results Releases
The National Grocers Association and FMS Solutions released the 2009 Independent Grocers Survey, which showed a positive 4.31% increase in same-store sales over last year, prior to adjustments for CPI Food at Home. Overall store margins posted a solid increase, reporting 26.94% in 2008 versus 25.55% in 2007. Full Story 6/19

Sponsorships

The 12th Americas Food & Beverage Trade Show & Conference offers a variety of sponsorship opportunities for our corporate partners. By becoming a sponsor, your company will have the opportunity to promote its range of products and services before a captive audience of food and beverage professionals from 87+ countries around the world at the 2009 Show, and access a worldwide audience through targeted marketing, a strong internet footprint and a large media presence.

Sponsorship range from directional banners ($1,000), welcome banners ($2,500), coffee breaks ($3,000 -$6,000), and receptions ($5,000). To receive further information, please call Jelena Meisel at 305-871-7910 or email: jmeisel@worldtrade.org. Visit: www.americasfoodandbeverag.com