NDO – The 2022 International Exhibition for Food, Beverages and Food Raw Materials (PRODEXPO 2022), which ran in Moscow from February 7 to 11, is expected to open up new opportunities for the food and beverage industry, after two years being affected by COVID-19. Products of Vietnamese enterprises participating in the exhibition were highly appreciated by Russian customers, in both quality and price.

In its 29th edition, PRODEXPO brought together more than 2,000 companies from over 50 countries, who showcased their best samples of food, beverages, organic food and functional food.

During the event, the Ruskhopro Company stall was crowded with visitors. The company, which majors in importing drinking water and coffee from Vietnam, has cooperated with Vietnamese partners for many years.

Anastasia Sayanok, the company's General Director, affirmed that the company wants to partner with businesses from Vietnam, because Vietnam and Russia have established a traditional cooperative relationship, long-time friendship, and mutual trust. Made-in-Vietnam products are also of high quality, she added.

In its business strategy, like many other Asian goods importers, Ruskhopro selected a company in Vietnam to produce beverages and coffee products, under their brand. Anastasia Sayanok said that products with Vietnamese flavour, won much appreciation from customers. The company is willing to discuss with Vietnamese partners for further cooperation opportunities, she stated.

Over the past years, bottled water and Vietnamese fruit products have received great interest in the Russian market. Rashad Agarizaev, who has many years of experience in trading dried fruit in Asia, said he has given his priority to products from Vietnam.

Coming to the exhibition on the first day of opening, Agarizaev hoped to seek new partners to diversify his source of goods from Vietnam. With rich flavours and good quality, Vietnamese tropical fruits have long been favoured by Russians. Made-in Vietnam products also have a variety of brands and models, with very attractive prices.

According to Agarizaev, the demand for mango and avocado in Russia, is increasing rapidly. At a time when people are becoming more interested in healthy products, dried fruits have gained popularity in the market, thanks to its advantage of easy preservation.

Although there are many opportunities remaining, fruit exporters to Russia still face many difficulties.

The stall of Kingfoods Company was located near the centre of the main exhibition hall. Nguyen Dinh Son, a representative from Kingfoods, said that when the company first entered the Russian market, it faced fierce competition, including products from Thailand. However, thanks to its vast raw material area in Vietnam and advanced production technology, Kingfoods has taken firm steps to thrive within the Russian market.

In the context of facing high freight fees, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Vietnamese and Russian firms have exerted efforts to renovate their business operations.

Nguyen Hong Thanh, Head of Vietnam Trade Office in the Far East (Russia) revealed that a project on direct cargo routes from Vietnam to Vladivostok has been built. Once operational, it takes between 8 and 12 days for goods departing ports in Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong, to arrive in Russia. According to Thanh, the project received great interest from a Vietnamese transport group and it will soon be implemented.

Vietnamese enterprises are working with the Russian side, to promote the launch of a new transport route. The first ships docked at Vladivostok port will open up opportunities, not only for Vietnamese enterprises to export goods to Russia, but also for Russian firms.