The city of St Petersburg hosted the PeterFOOD exhibition on the 15 – 17 November 2010; this is the most popular food trade exhibition in the north-western region of Russia. At this year’s exhibition the “EU Cheese Please” program successfully participated along with over 5000 professional wholesale buyers and traders and 150 company representatives.

Record trade visitors and consumers visited the prominent “EU Cheese Please” stand which was situated in the dairy section of Pavilion 5. The stand with its signature logo and appealing photography of the 5 European cheeses (Halloumi, Kashkaval, White brine cheese, Anari and Kefalotyri) drew the interest of the buyers and traders. A professional chef grilled Halloumi cheese on site at the stand and prepared cheese platters for tastings which the uniformed hostesses happily offered to the stand visitors along with all the information and promotional material (brochures, folders and DVD’s) which were freely available for all. 

A large plasma screen situated in the stand relayed the program videos and TV spot which gave a visual demonstration of the modern and hygienic manufacturing methods used to produce the 5 European cheeses. Promotional gift bags with gifts and European cheese samples packaged in colourful and descriptive product boxes were also prepared and given away to the stand visitors.

This exhibition participation was the sixth (6) for the program from a series of eleven (11) and the first in St Petersburg. A successful “matchmaking” session was also organised so that the program stakeholders and producers were able to network professionally with the significant buyers and traders from this region of Russia. A professional interpreter was also at hand throughout the exhibition in order to facilitate and assist in negotiations between the stakeholders.

The “EU Cheese Please” cheeses were also entered into a PeterFOOD food tasting competition with Halloumi and Kashkaval winning prizes for best new products on the market.  The PeterFOOD exhibition was a very rewarding experience for the “EU Cheese Please” project,   and everyone is looking forward to returning again in 2011.