35th ISM: Confectionery suppliers express confidence

A record-breaking 1,600-plus suppliers are expected to attend the 35th International Sweets and Biscuits Fair (ISM) in Cologne from 30th January to 2nd February 2005. The virtually complete range of products on display comes from the segments of chocolate, sugar confectionery, fine baked goods, snack products, ice cream and raw pastes. Only those end products intended for the retail trade will be displayed. In the run-up to the event, Hans Strohmaier, Chairman of the International Sweets and Biscuits Fair Working Group (AISM), outlined the current situation in Germany and its key export markets.

The confectionery business in Germany as a whole does not seem to be as strongly affected as other sectors by the pessimistic mood that is dominating German traders today. Among the reasons for this pessimism are low levels of customer demand and stagnation in the retail trade in general and the food retail trade in particular. That s the conclusion implied by current data compiled by the Federal Statistical Office on the basis of reports from the industry and trade surveys conducted by market researchers. According to the data, many confectionery companies considerably increased their turnover, production and exports in 2004. In the domestic market as well, there has been a positive development in the range of products available and confectionery sales in the food trade.
German confectionery is in demand not only among consumers abroad, but also in the domestic market. According to the market research institute ACNielsen, the food retail trade, Aldi and the impulse sales channels saw confectionery sales rise by 4.6% to €7.607 billion through November 2004 by comparison to the same period of 2003. The market researchers have determined that Aldi (+ 2.0%) alone accounts for approximately 20% of all confectionery sales in Germany at the moment. Sales growth is, however, strongest in the food retail sector, which posted an increase of 5.5% to €5.600 billion.

Sales were boosted by lower temperatures in June and July compared to the record-breaking summer of 2003. The biggest percentage increase this year has thus far been registered in the savory snacks segment (+7.5%), followed by chocolate products (+6.4%), sweet baked goods/waffles (+4.6%) and sugar confectionery (+2.8%).
The organizers of ISM are Koelnmesse and the International Sweets and Biscuits Fair Working Group (AISM), which is the conceptual sponsor. ISM will take place from Sunday, January 30, to Wednesday, February 2, 2005, in the Eastern Halls of Koelnmesse and will be open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.