The Bangkok International Trade and Event Center (BITEC) hosts the tenth edition of VIV Asia, held 9-11 March in Thailand.

VIV Asia must be one of the most photographed events of the moment!

Especially when the Thai Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mr Theera Wongsamut, cut his second agricultural ribbon this week, after having opened the APVS Congress in Pattaya as well.

In the opening ceremony for VIV Asia, David C. Nelson, Rabobank International, painted a picture of the agricultural market until 2021. High grain prices are to stay – and he forecasted a growing dependence of China on grain imports.

The award for Asian Pig Personality 2011 was awarded to Surachai Suthitham (middle), Thai Swine Raisers Association of Thailand. To his left is Nigel Horrox, Positive Action Publications and to his right is Ruwan Berculo, VNU Exhibitions.

In total, 277 new companies found their way to Bangkok in comparison to the 2009 edition. Already 20,000 visitors pre-booked their attendance – and a lively buzz could be noted from the start.

Exhibitors hail from all over the world, e.g. the Canadian Swine Exporters Association (Northern America)…

Various countries had pavilions at VIV Asia, like China.

Betagro (home match as headquartered in Bangkok).

Global Nutrition (France).

Ceva Animal Health has been growing rapidly over the last couple of years. The company offered to take headshots of visitors in the booth.

Of course, larger players in the market are abundantly present, like Big Dutchman

Boehringer Ingelheim's booth was full of attractions, with for e.g. bingo and the well known green and red pig signifying its vaccine mix for M.hyo and PCV2.

At VIV Asia, Austrian feed additive company Biomin presents a new addition to its family of natural growth promoters: Biomin 3T.

Another innovation can be found at the booth of Animine – ZinPot, a novel source of zinc oxide for piglets.

Just like Austrian animal nutrition company Agromed, the French company joined forces in LinkAsia partners – jointly appearing in one booth.

At shows like these, there’s always time to party: US feed additive company Novus celebrated its 20 years of existence…

…and Danish pig breeding company Danbred is just five years older.

Plenty to see, plenty to do – and as said before – plenty to photograph!