The China Beverage Industry Association is our honoured host for our 14th International Congress, one that we are proud to be associated with and support.

Tremendous efforts have been made over the past two years in preparation for this exciting Congress, this August 2005. The papers that have been prepared for discussion during the official programme are indeed most interesting and timely. The technical tours will allow you to see the most advanced processing facilities of apples in the world as well as to visit the most modern and advanced retail juice packing operation group, too. The social activities have been carefully planned to allow you to experience the China that we all love and enjoy.

Beijing, the capital city of China, is a cultural, political, and business centre that welcomes you to China to experience an opportunity of a lifetime in conjunction with this congress.

Our thanks go to the CBIA, especially Madam Yali Zhou and her wonderful team for their attention to detail in working to make this Congress a great success and to the IFU Technical Commission Chairman Mr David Goldberg and many others who have supported him in a most able way. Also we thank our capable Secretary General, Elisabetta ROMEO-VAREILLE for her support.

Welcome to Beijing; China has a major influence as a producing nation of processed fruits and vegetables for the world as well as being one of the fastest growing consuming nations. We are sure that you will enjoy your visit to China, especially Beijing and of course the 14th IFU Congress.

Tony Beattie

IFU President

Founded in 1993 and based in Beijing, CBIA is now composed of over 400 member enterprises and institutions from throughout China, whose production accounts for 80 per cent of the national total, and its own Scientific and Technical Committee, Vegetable and Fruit Juice Committee, Carbonated Drinks Committee and Mineral Water Committee work effectively and efficiently.

Over years, China’s beverage industry started to go into vigorous development track. In 2004, the total output amounted to 29.1243 million tons, up 22.66% from 2003, among which the fruit juice recorded the most robust growth with the production of more than 5 million tons, a 60.87% increase over the previous year. Furthermore, minor fruits (berry) embrace new trends in their processing and trading along with brisk imports and exports of concentrated apple and orange juices.

China Beverage Science & Technology Exhibition-2005 (CBST2005), the sole specialized exhibition of the fruit juice processing, ingredients and packaging industry in China, will be timed to coincide with the 14th IFU Congress, which will add another dimension to the event. CBIA is wholeheartedly inviting all delegates to the opening ceremony of CBST2005 and expecting your presence as exhibitors.

Very exciting technical excursions to Huiyuan in Beijing and Zhonglu and Haisheng in Shandong Province will be offered. On the occasion, we sincerely hope that you will touch and join in China’s beverage industry while you are feeling the state-of-the-art technology and the latest achievements in the global fruit juice business.

Welcome you to Beijing to share the achievements of the fruit juice industry in China and in the world as well.

Zhao Yali
Executive Vice President & Secretary General
CBIA