March 11, 2010

Aquatic Asia set for 2011

Following the special editions of Aquaculture in VIV Asia in 2007 and 2009, VNU Exhibitions and NEO take the next step: to present the first dedicated trade show for Asia Pacific Aquaculture business, the Aquatic Asia 2011.

It is an independent trade show to be presented in BITEC in co-location with VIV Asia 2011 on March 9-11, 2011. With this, buyers and suppliers in aquaculture in Asia Pacific will have a unique opportunity to meet key contacts active in aquaculture only or with interest in aquaculture, poultry and/or pigs. Aside from aquaculture, Aquatic Asia 2011 will also involve the related activities of mariculture and capture-based aquaculture.

Specifically, the show will focus on R&D, production and marketing of four categories: fish, mollusks, crustaceans and algae. The organisers aim to bring 50 dedicated aquaculture suppliers in contact with 5,000 trade visitors.

Aside from the main trade show, Aquatic Asia 2011 will also feature the Aquatic Asia Seminar Program which will be a series of one-hour product presentations and company visions by exhibitors and Aquatic Asia Conference which will be a program of non-commercial industry presentations about the aqua trends and developments.

Ruwan Berculo of VNU exhibitions, Asia-Pacific, said during a press conference on March 4, 2010 that Aquatic Asia 2011 "is a truly international show for aquaculture in the region." Compared to other existing trade shows in the regions which are relatively smaller exhibitions, Berculo notes that Aquatic Asia will have a more international scope bringing in professionals together with a clear focus on the aqua trade.

The dedicated aqua show responses to the vibrant aqua trade in Asia, the region being the world's market leader in aquaculture production. The organisers underscore that when it comes to the production of fish, molluscs, custraceans and algae, the majority of budgets spent are in Asia. China, India, Vietnam Indonesia and Thailand rank high on the list of the largest producers in the world.

In fact, Asia-Pacific aquaculture industry contributes over 85% to global production, while mariculture is also growing rapidly. The region's increased availability, improved distribution systems and comparative price advantage over animal protein sources has resulted in more people having access to fish at affordable prices.

Meanwhile, opportunities exist for new products and approaches in areas such as diagnostics, feed additives, nutrition, immunology, genetics, toxicology, fuel (algae culture) environmental monitoring and control and product quality assessment.

For all these reasons and more, Aquatic Asia 2011 is definitely a show to look forward to.