KINGSTON, Jamaica – Three Jamaican companies are among the 12 regional companies slated to bring the Caribbean Kitchen Pavilion to this year’s ANUGA 2013 Food Show at the Koelnmesse GmbH exhibition centre in Cologne, Germany, from October 5 to 9, according to a release from the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export).

Caribbean Export will be partnering with the Deutsche Geselleschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to make this a reality.

Jamaica’s Country Trader’s Limited, Honey Bun, and Tijule Company were selected to be a part of the Pavillion that will showcase 12 Caribbean food suppliers from seven different countries, displaying a range of beverages, condiments and selected items. Caribbean Exporters said the trade fair will provide European Union industry professionals the opportunity to sample first-hand the diverse flavours found within the Caribbean region.

The 12 companies were selected from 40 submissions following the April 2013 Expression of Interest call. The release said the companies were selected based on the “the products that have potential to enter the German/EU market and their capacity to export”.

“It was extremely encouraging to receive the number of applications from our regional agro-processors, food and beverage manufacturers. These industries have always been important to the Agency in view of their importance to the region and internationally, said Pamela Coke-Hamilton, executive director for Caribbean Export.

“Moreover the European market has also always been fascinated by Caribbean culture and food, and for those who are unable to sample within the Caribbean, we want to ensure they can still find Caribbean food and beverage products in their local specialty or gourmet shops or perhaps supermarkets.”

Visitors to ANUGA, “the world’s largest and most important trade fair for the food and beverage industry with around 6,700 exhibitors from about 100 countries” according to the release, will be able to experience “condiments such as hot sauces, jerk seasonings, marinades, jams and jellies oozing with traditional flavours made from regional produce. In terms of the beverage sections local coffees, teas, and of course Caribbean rum, beer and malt will also be present.”