This November’s World Bulk Wine Exhibition will be the first time that producers and wine buyers from all over the world will have been able to get together to do business at a major wine event in Europe since before the pandemic. With even more pressure on limited wine volumes to sell it will prove to be a pivotal show.
What will the WBWE be looking to offer the wine sector following more than 18 months of turmoil in global wine markets?
We find ourselves in a post-pandemic situation, in addition to complicated weather circumstances. Everything is rapidly changing; and that’s the reason why the WBWE does not stop, analyses the market and provides solutions for such a versatile industry in these current times. The wine world is changing and the use of new technologies is essential, however, face-to-face events are irreplaceable. We are aware of the sector’s difficulties, but also of its needs.
Hence, we are the first international B2B wine fair taking place this year in the West. An opportunity for buyers and sellers to come together and do business.
It’s been a while…getting back to doing business in person is going to be a welcome relief for producers and buyers
2021 has been a tough year, but there are also plenty of opportunities for those who know how to take advantage of them. The instability concerning harvests, adjustment to new technologies and the markets’ fluctuations make participating in the WBWE indispensable for those wineries and purchasers who want to be part of the global wine market.
The WBWE21 is a professional and efficient fair with clear objectives: business, networking and results. An event focused on a maximum productivity model in the shortest period of time and with maximum guarantees. If you’re at the WBWE 21, you’re in the wine business.
What are the new challenges that the fair has to face this year?
We have had to face many challenges in a very short time, and therefore we are adapting ourselves on a daily basis. The WBWE21 will be the most technological fair to date: from the registration to the entry, from the conference’s forums to the working platforms. Every effort has been made to deliver a safe and cost-efficient fair, yet without forgetting how important business-to-business is.
In terms of new initiatives we are proud to introduce the VMarket (Virtual Market), the WBWE’s exclusive and new business platform that will enable producers, purchasers, brokers and purchasing networks to close deals in a rapid, practical and effective way. It will also extend the fair on-line for two weeks after the event, which means extra time to do business.
Times are changing and we must provide answers; in order to do so the most prominent experts worldwide will participate and tackle today’s hottest issues throughout our Conference. Experts such as Richard Siddle, Robert Joseph, Felicity Carter, Robert Williams and Polly Hammond will deal with topics such as Covid’s repercussions, the market’s fluctuations, new technologies, sustainability, new packaging methods…
What role does bulk wine play in this ever changing wine market we all now live in post pandemic with different customer needs and demands?
The very fact the WBWE is open to do business is a confidence booster for the global bulk wine market
The WBWE is taking place at a crucial time in the wine industry’s history. We are all having to try and find our place again and we cannot underestimate the importance of being able to meet in person again. We are doing so at a difficult time for many with many harvests down and new consumer trends emerging. It makes the WBWE an even more pivotal forum in determining the prices and international destination for our wines.
The impact the climate continues to have on wine harvests means there are very significant shortages in some areas which has created an imbalance in the global wine market. Wineries are having to adapt like never before to cope and make the most of these new circumstances and try to benefit from any potential advantages there are. The WBWE will be the fair for new opportunities, changes and new market approaches.
Winemakers will need to come to the event as well prepared as they can be in what is going to be an intensely competitive market and they must be aware of how to take advantage of these new circumstances.
Do you think the wine industry is doing enough to tackle and make the most of new packaging opportunities like canned wines, bag-in-box wine and wines that are more occasion focused?
The WBWE has always been interested in new market trends and new packaging methods are certainly part of that debate. Design, alternative packages and bulk wine all go hand in hand. Canned wines are also helping to introduce wine culture to a different age group and open up new market opportunities around the world . We will be looking at opportunities both from a European and American perspective and will be hosting talks from leading experts including Robert Williams, Ska Fabricating and Dennis Doorakkers.
Wine on tap and bag-in-box wine will also have a key role at the fair. The increase in consumption in households during the pandemic has triggered the purchase of bag-in-box wine for convenient domestic use. They offer a more environmentally-friendly packaging alternative, involve less waste, have fewer costs and can now offer really good quality wines: a trio of factors that should certainly be taken into account.
The market has to adapt itself to a creative, convenient and sustainable environment. The increased quality of bulk wines can only help us reach that goal. So pleased come and join the #bulkwinerevolution at WBWE.
