PeriLog – fresh logistics Asia 2017: upgrade again!

With the fast development of the e-commerce sector in China, the fresh produce segment has demonstrated great market potential, which has in turn driven the development of the logistics industry. Xu Jia, Chief Operating Officer, Messe Muenchen Shanghai Co., Ltd, the organizer of PeriLog-fresh logistics Asia, shares her thoughts on this year’s event.

Q: Can you give us a review of last year’s PeriLog-fresh logistics Asia?

A: The event was successfully held in Shanghai New International Expo Centre from June 14 to 16, 2016. Co-organized by Messe Muenchen Shanghai Co., Ltd and Zhengzhou Minghai Huibo Exhibition Planning Co., Ltd, the trade show was upgraded to a total of 14,000 square meters (it was 10,000 sqm in 2015). 200 leading exhibitors (142 in 2015) from home and abroad showcased the entire spectrum of products and services. Based on the concept of “Delivery Fresh & Healthy Life”, the trade show attracted 13,190 professional visitors (10,275 in 2015).

Q:  Can you give us a preview of the 2017 event? 

A: PeriLog – fresh logistics Asia 2017 is devoted to providing a trade platform for the entire industry chain, connecting places of origin to the customer’s doorstep. With a larger number of industry leaders, the trade fair will discuss cost and loss reduction measures in all segments of the industry, from procurement, quality control, warehousing and freshness preservation to cold-chain transportation and distribution, to ensure a perfect experience for products' end users.

The event this year will again be upgraded to a new level with 20,000 square meters of exhibition space, attracting more than 250 leading exhibitors. It is aiming to build Asia’s largest trading platform for the whole fresh logistics industry.

This year, PeriLog – fresh logistics Asia will be held alongside another new show called fresh food Asia. This new event is uniquely positioned to focus on the fresh produce market. It is devoted to promoting the build-up of Chinese brands and will bring together brand enterprises of fresh produces that need refreshing and heat preservation from the field to the table. These two concurrent shows will provide a one-stop procurement for “fresh” and “logistics” to lead the development of the fresh industry.

Q: Can you name some of major exhibitors for PeriLog – fresh logistics Asia 2017?

A: The event covers the fresh logistics industry in the entirety, which includes fresh delivery services, refrigerated logistics equipment, temperature control warehousing and handling equipment, pre-cooling, cold-storage, preservation and packaging, pharma logistics, refrigeration materials and accessories. Many leading companies will showcase their innovative and latest products onsite, such as Sinotrans, GLP, Ice Bear, KF Mobile System, Aucma, Zhejiang Xingxing, Meluck, ASSA ABLOY, Jingxing Logistics, IFCO, STL Technology, Shandong Refine, Panasonic, G7.

Q: Who is the targeted audience?

A: These two trade fairs have the same target audience. That is why we decided to organize the two events together. Our targeted visitors include members of the fresh food industry, including agricultural products, meat, seafood and dairy products; chain supermarkets, department stores, hotels and restaurants; fresh e-commerce, new farmers; pharmaceuticals and bio-medicines industry; transportation and logistics service providers.

Q: What are the main factors that attract exhibitors and audiences to PeriLog – fresh logistics Asia? 

A: I think it’s because PeriLog – fresh logistics Asia is the leading bellwether in the fresh logistics market. It will give you a comprehensive look at Asia's fresh logistics industry and new impetus for people’s business success. With the concept of “Logistics Makes Life Fresh”, PeriLog – fresh logistics Asia is devoted to providing an effective business and networking platform for the entire industry chain. Besides, as an important part of PeriLog – fresh logistics Asia, some high-quality conference programs, salons and matchmaking events will attract large numbers of professional visitors to discuss cost-reducing and loss-reducing measures in all segments of the industry. This year, about 20,000 people are expected to visit show.

Q: What are the main factors that constrain the development of the fresh logistics industry development? 

A: A lag in equipment and technology, lack of industry standards and a perfect fresh logistics system are the main factors. With the rapid development of the fresh and cold-chain logistics industry in China, the professionals need a professional platform like PeriLog – fresh logistics Asia to explore new products and technologies, exchange experiences and knowledge for better solutions, as well as communicate with the peers.

Q: Will there be conference events held during the exhibition period? 

A: The accompanying programs are the highlights of our trade fair and they gather many high-caliber professionals who can provide insights into the latest trends and innovations of fresh logistics. For example, the “10th Asia Cold Chain Logistics Forum”, held by Messe Muenchen Shanghai Co., Ltd., Branch Association of Cold Chain of China Association of Warehousing and Distribution and Shanghai Association of Refrigerated Warehouses, will interpret the fresh food safety traceability and cold chain storage diversified construction. The “3rd International Forum on Fruit-vegetable Supply Chain & Farmland Direct Supply”, co-organized by Produce Report, will explore the new mode of Fruit-vegetable Supply Chain. The “New Retail New Fresh: 2017 Industry Innovation Forum”, co-organized by Iyiou, will discuss new retail and fresh e-commerce. There are also many onsite fresh tasting activities to connect the upstream and downstream enterprises, expand sales channels and improve procurement efficiency.

Q: The fresh food Asia 2017 will be held concurrently with PeriLog – fresh logistics Asia 2017. Could you give us some details about the event?

A: With the arrival of the “New Normal” economy and the change of people’s consumption habits, China’s e-commerce sector is rapidly growing. Fresh foods have demonstrated an unlimited market potential, so we believe the one who wins the largest market share of fresh foods will win the market in the future. On the other hand, with the introduction of the two-child policy and intensified aging trend, the newly-born and elderly population will become a vital force in the consumption of fresh, healthy and high-end foods, leading to increasing market demands.

Under these circumstances, we decided to hold fresh food Asia which focuses on the “fresh” produce market. It aims to build the most recognizable trade platform in Asia, bringing together brand enterprises of fresh produces from the field to table and that need refreshing and heat preservation throughout the whole process, and helping providing professional trade sourcing for from fresh e-commerce companies, supermarket chains, new vegetable markets in communities, importers and exporters, dealers and retailers to hotels, restaurants and central kitchens. This will cater for the food demands of the people.

There are nine exhibition sectors of the trade show covering every aspect of the fresh food industry, which includes meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables, dairy products, frozen products, eggs, bean products, flowers and retail chains, e-commerce and direct selling.

Q: What is the development plan for the event?

A: In 2018, PeriLog – fresh logistics Asia and fresh food Asia will be held together again and also in conjunction with transport logistic China 2018, air cargo China 2018 and track & trailer China 2018, which will create the first comprehensive platform linking the whole industrial chain of transportation, logistics and fresh food industries. It will show all of us that “Logistics Make It Happen!”