Food Ingredients Central and Eastern Europe (FiCEE), which first took place in 1999, is to be held in Berlin next year, organisers CMP announced.

The exhibition is the first to focus exclusively on the food markets in Central and Eastern European countries and is specifically targeted at food manufacturers and producers from CEE countries, eager to catch up with latest developments and link up with new suppliers and potential partners.

Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries consume a wide range of international food products, according to CMP, and growing sophistication among consumers within the CEE regions in terms of diet and food preference as well as a trend towards healthier eating have opened up further opportunities within this market.

The addition of 10 CEE countries to the European Union also makes this show an important event, giving international companies the opportunity to expand their business more easily in a homogenous region and open market.

FiCEE takes place from 25-27 May 2004 in Berlin, a city being billed as the meeting point between east and west Europe. The venue has not yet been announced.