<\/p>\n
The Nordic region\u2019s biggest co-located trade shows for natural and organic food and drink, health, beauty, eco-living and self-care products took place over 16-17 November. A record 4,912 attendees (a significant 25% increase for 2016)<\/strong> were out in force to see and sample the next-wave of new product innovations from 375 exhibiting companies.<\/p>\n Representatives from over 2,000 companies (from 68 countries)<\/strong> packed the aisles over the two day event. Notably, over one in four visitors cited a corporate spend of over \u20ac1m (16% reported over \u20ac5m). <\/p><\/blockquote>\n Highlights for 2016 included the announcement of the winners of the Natural & Organic Awards Scandinavia, plus the Nordic Organic Chef Competitions. While the show\u2019s three theatres \u2013 featuring 27 expert speakers, 14 brand pioneers and a new Eco Packaging conference \u2013 saw many sessions draw standing room only crowds. <\/p>\n Event director Anne Seeberg<\/strong> says: \u201cThe Nordic region\u2019s appetite for natural and organic has never been bigger and \u2013 like this show \u2013 it\u2019s still growing!”<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThere was a fantastic energy and enthusiasm across the show floor this year. The aisles were packed with buyers ready to do business, and many of our exhibitors have already reported significant orders and distribution deals being done.”<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s really amazing how Natural Products Scandinavia and Nordic Organic Food Fair have really caught the imagination, and attention, of everyone involved in this important sector. It\u2019s now firmly established as not just a must attend event in Scandinavia but as one of the leading events for natural and organic in the world. Combine that with a 25% increase in attendees for 2016 and we really couldn\u2019t ask for a better result!”<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cSpecial thanks must go to our association and media partners for their continued invaluable support, our exhibiting companies for helping to make the show look so spectacular, and the visitors who came out in their thousands!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n As in previous years, the majority of visitors to the show were Swedish and Danish (68%), with key buyers and managers from many of Scandinavia\u2019s biggest retailers, health stores, pharmacy chains, wholesalers and distributors, public kitchens, and supermarkets in attendance. <\/p>\n Among them were ICA Sverige, Axfood, Dansk Supermarked, Coop Sverige, Coop Danmark, Life, Life Everkost, HKC Egenv\u00e5rd, Matas, Netto, Ikea, Lidl, Aldi, Willys, Danasan, TJX Europe, Wholefood Planet Organic, Dagrofa, Svensk Cater, Dansk Cater, H\u00e4lsokraft, Helsam, Kung Markatta, Gymgrossisten, Infinity Foods, Mat.se, Nemlig.com, Reitan Servicehandel, FoodService Danmark, 7-Eleven, Ruohonjuuri, Martin&Servera, Menigo Foodservice, Orkla Foods, Urtekram, Arnold Suhr Netherlands, Bodystore.com, Matsmart in Scandinavia, Rema 1000, BC Hospitality Group, Naturkost \u00dcbelh\u00f6r, Ren\u00e9e Voltaire, and Magasin du Nord.<\/p>\n \u201cNatural Products Scandinavia is the best way to gain quick and extensive knowledge about natural and organic products in the Nordic landscape. It\u2019s the perfect marketplace for those looking to expand into the Nordic region, and looking for exciting new brands,\u201d<\/em> says Henrik Olt\u00e9ng, managing director of Weleda Nordic and chairman of NOC Sweden.<\/p>\n \u201cNordic Organic Food Fair is always an inspirational fair, that is highly useful with regards to meeting new partners, and discovering new products and trends,\u201d<\/em> says Jacob Nielsen, food buyer at Magasin du Nord.<\/p>\n \u201cThe show is excellent for all companies to gain exposure within the organic food industry<\/strong>. A great event, we\u2019ll be back next year!\u201d s<\/em>ays Alejandro Franco, co-founder of Kaffe Bueno ApS.<\/p>\n The significant surge in visitor numbers has led many exhibiting companies to hail the 2016 show as its biggest and most successful yet. Thanks to a 13% increase in exhibition space for 2016, there were an unparalleled 375 exhibitors showcasing more new products than ever. To accommodate existing numbers, and meet growing demand from a raft of new suppliers looking to reach this important market, the show organiser, Diversified Communications UK, has announced plans to host over 400 exhibitors next year. <\/p>\n Looking ahead to 2017, there will also be returning national pavilions from KRAV, Organic Denmark, Italy, Germany, Holland, and the Baltics. <\/p>\n The Nordic Organic Chef Competitions, hosted by F\u00f6reningen Ekokockar, showcased the culinary talents of top chefs from across Sweden, Norway, Finland and Estonia. Designed to promote and celebrate the valuable contributions chefs make to the organic market, the competitions also served up a host of innovative menu ideas for this year\u2019s show visitors.<\/p>\n H\u00e5vard Klempe, who works as a chef at Credo in Trondheim, in Norway, was crowned Nordic Organic Chef of the Year. Viktor Arabzadeh, from Upper House in G\u00f6teborg, in Sweden, won Sweden\u2019s Organic Chef of the Year. While the student team from Lycksele school in Tannbergskolan \u2013 Johanna Eliasson, Ebba Wilhelmsson and Moa Isaksson \u2013 were named Sweden\u2019s Young Organic Chefs of the Year.<\/p>\n Featuring new launches from the last twelve months, the show\u2019s two Natural & Organic Awards Showcases boasted a record 150 entries for 2016. The ten \u2018Best new product\u2019 winners (as voted for by visiting buyers), the Butikstrender Most Unique Product Award, plus the show\u2019s two prestigious \u2018Lifetime achievement\u2019 awards, were announced in the Natural Theatre at the close of opening day. <\/p>\n The 2016 winners include:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong>– Best New Health & Nutrition Product: Back on Track \u2013 Chia Humara \u201cWe are delighted that our passion, hard work and commitment to natural living has been recognised at this remarkable event. It is an honour to win in a category that included so many other exceptional products. It has been an excellent show and we\u2019ve met with potential partners from all over the world, not just the Scandinavian region. It\u2019s the perfect spot to launch new products,\u201d<\/em> says Merylin R\u00fc\u00fctli, co-founder of Mulieres.<\/p>\n – Best New Natural Beauty Product (cosmetics, haircare, beauty supplement): Bruns \u2013 Bruns Balsam Nr 03<\/p>\n \u201cWe are so happy and proud to win this award! We believe in this event, with its purpose to inspire innovation and help increase brand exposure. We’ll definitely be back in the future and recommend everyone to visit!<\/strong><\/em>\u201d says Johanna Lindskoug and Cecilia Nilsson, founders of Bruns.<\/p>\n – Best New Natural Skincare Product (face & body): Pharma GP ApS \u2013 Vilact 24\/7 Heel Repair Cream<\/p>\n \u201cWe are very pleased to have won this award, especially for the second year in a row. We have exhibited at Natural Products Scandinavia several times, it has given us the opportunity to meet our customers and potential distributors and present our products,\u201d<\/em> says Pernille Steenfat, partner at Pharma GP ApS.<\/p>\n – Best Organic Non-Food: OrganiCup \u2013 Organicup<\/p>\n \u201cWe, at OrganiCup, are so happy and proud to win this award. We are sure that this award, and this great exhibition, will help us increase the awareness among women of better menstrual health and of menstrual cups,\u201d<\/em> says Gitte Dalberg-Larsen, head of sales at OrganiCup.<\/p>\n – Best New Natural Drink Product: Tropicsoul \u2013 Tropicsoul<\/p>\n \u201cWe are very proud and happy. Not only is this prestigious award voted for by the industry experts attending Natural Products Scandinavia, but it is also a great recognition for being a premium product and brand. It will strengthen our brand and open up opportunities to expand in the competitive Scandinavian market,\u201d<\/em> says Peter B\u00e4ckman, partner at Tropicsoul<\/p>\n – Best New Organic Drink\/Beverage: Caribbean Vintage \u2013 K\u2019Shiri<\/p>\n \u201cThe exceptional creativity and the incredible range of new products, flavours and innovations at Natural Products Scandinavia and Nordic Organic Food Fair 2016 demonstrates, once again, that organic and natural products are more and more an ambitious and realistic new way of life in Scandinavia. The show was a real success story for us. We were particularly proud to win the award, as it is a great international recognition of our continuous efforts to provide high quality and innovation,\u201d<\/em> says Georges Sainte-Rose-Fanchine, general manager at Caribbean Vintage.<\/p>\n – Best New Organic Food Product: Go4Raw \u2013 Go4Raw Bars \u201cWinning two awards at the show has been a big success for our company, particularly as Go4Raw\u00ae<\/sup> only launched last year. It\u2019s a fantastic achievement and shows that buyers at the show recognise the extremely high quality of Go4Raw\u00ae<\/sup>and the Bulgarian organic products we offer. Natural Products Scandinavia has been a big success for us all round. We have met lots of leading retailers, distributors, private label companies etc. We have already rebooked for next year. It\u2019s simply the best show in Europe for natural and organic products!<\/em>\u201d says Plamen Medarov, CEO of Go4Raw\u00ae<\/sup>.<\/p>\n – The Natural Lifetime Achievement Award: Tom Johnsson & Maibritt Johnsson (Max Medica and Green Medicine)<\/p>\nBig name buyers flock to the show<\/h3>\n
![\"NPS2016](\"https:\/\/www.bioecoactual.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/NPS2016_STANDISLES-050.jpg\")
\u201cSustainability is a very important part of our consumer offer which we constantly evolve. The fair offers an excellent opportunity to gain an overview of new products, suppliers and trends,\u201d<\/em> says Silvie K\u00f6nigsmark, category manager beauty care & health at Coop Sverige AB.<\/p>\n400 exhibitors forecast for 2017<\/h3>\n
Nordic Organic Chef Competitions<\/h3>\n
Natural & Organic Awards Scandinavia<\/h3>\n
– Best New Natural Food Product: Biofood-Biolivs AB \u2013 Fairtrade Chocolate
– Butikstrender Most Unique Product Award 2016: Macacos \u2013 Caj\u00e1
– Best New Eco\/Natural Living Product: Mulieres \u2013 Natural Detergent \u201cRose Garden\u201d<\/p>\n
– Best New Organic Special Diet Food (vegetarian, vegan, free-from): Go4Raw \u2013 Go4Raw Crackers<\/p>\n![\"NPS2016](\"https:\/\/www.bioecoactual.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/NPS2016_FEATURES-094.jpg\")
<\/p>\n