Czech food products and technologies shine at Melbourne trade fair
05.09.2024 / 04:25 | Aktualizováno: 05.09.2024 / 04:36
Food products and equipment from the Czech Republic were successfully presented at the Fine Food Fair in Melbourne, Australia, on 2-5 September 2024. The Czech exposition was realized within the framework of the economic diplomacy project prepared by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Canberra in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic.
A total of ten presented Czech brands included traditional Czech producers with products such as beer from the Rakovník brewery, plum brandy from Rudolf Jelínek, hops from TOP HOP, syrups from the Kitl provenance and soft drinks from Kofola and Vinea. Visitors could also taste Czech sweets and delicacies. The technical part of the exhibits was represented by the manufacturers of Lindr cooling and dispensing equipment and Lukr beer taps.
The Fine Food Fair is the largest in its field not only in Australia, but in the entire southern hemisphere, annually welcoming more than seven hundred exhibitors from all over the world and 20 thousand visitors from the professional public. Melbourne and Sydney regularly alternate hosting the fair. This year's edition was the 40th.
During the fair, the Czech stand with an area of 36 m2 was visited by about 300 people interested in Czech production. In addition to tasting Bakalář beer from Rakovník brewery or plum brandy from R. Jelínek, they were interested in business cooperation. A cocktail maker has expressed interest in Kitl syrups, another interested party and the operator of seventy restaurants is asking for a private label beer from our country. Cocktails are the hit of the season, as confirmed by the local representative of Lindr, a company that specializes in the production of cooling and tap equipment. A large part of the local representative's offer is focused on cocktail taps, in addition to the traditional beer tap. The Lukr beer taps were introduced by a Czech brewer who also presented the history of beer production in our country, including Czech beer culture, to the interested parties. The interest in his demonstrations was enormous. He showed the Australians the untypical for them beer with rich foam and traditional Czech tapping styles. At a separate stand of a local representative, the Retigo company was presented, supplying conveying machines for professional use in restaurants, hotels, etc. The technology demonstration was complemented by a Czech chef offering visitors meat prepared in their convection ovens.
Despite the relatively limited market, the potential for sales of Czech food products is considerable. This is underscored by the large number of different immigrant communities, including from Europe, who are constantly interested in Czech beverages and other products. According to a preliminary survey, local small breweries are very interested in Czech beer production methods and Czech hops or production technologies. This corresponds with the consideration of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Canberra, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, to prepare an incoming mission to the Czech Republic in 2025, focusing specifically on the brewing industry. Another dimension of cooperation between the two countries is the preparation of the production of Czech-style beer under the supervision of a Czech brewer, using Czech hops and Australian malt in the state of South Australia.
Milan Vágner, Economic Diplomat, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Canberra
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