Fruit Logistica: the logistics and technology hub as well
With more than 70,000 high-profile trade visitors from over 130 countries, Fruit Logistica remains the largest industry event in the history of the fresh produce trade.
According to Messe Berlin CEO Dr. Christian Göke, “Fruit Logistica marked a special milestone this year with an unprecedented 70,000 trade visitors. We are delighted by the new attendance record as well as by the high intensity of business and professional networking. The international scope of this event could be experienced in a very unique way.”
Some 2,891 exhibitors from 84 countries presented a complete market overview of the fresh produce industry. Along with the many opportunities to initiate and conclude business transactions, the global attention attracted by the trade fair was especially important to exhibitors. The high level of innovative strength in the sector was clearly demonstrated by no less than 27 world premieres. For the first time the jury also presented a special award, which went to Stoffels from Belgium for its Automato tomato vending machine. Different-coloured cherry tomato varieties are dispensed from three boxes directly into a paper bag.
Logistics Hub was a new series of events this year presented in Hall B. The sessions addressed ten current issues relating to the logistics chain. The well-attended sessions and positive feedback from trade visitors confirmed the growing importance of logistics in the industry. Logistics Hub enabled producers, exporters and traders to find the information they need to help them take the right logistic decisions when it comes to transporting their goods.
Genuine Coconut, mini tomatoes, Enjoya striped peppers among the winners
World’s Coconut Trading from Spain is the winner of the FL Innovation Award 2016 for its organic Genuine Coconut. Genuine Coconut comes with a patented seal and straw, and is a simple, genuinely refreshing coconut water drink with minerals and a high nutritional value. Visitors at FL chose the Northern Greens Kitchen Minis tomato from Denmark as the competition’s runner-up. This small, compact and visually attractive cherry tomato plant produces up to 150 fruits in all seasons and grows to only between 9 and 11 cm wide and 35 cm high. The tomatoes weigh just eight to ten grams. Enjoya, a yellow/ red striped pepper grown by the Dutch enterprise Terra Natura International, was chosen as the third-best entry. Enjoya has an aromatic and tangy flavour and contains lots of vitamin C.
Egypt catapulted to international success
More than 90 Egyptian companies supported the Egyptian Agriculture Export Council by exhibiting under its banner at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2016. Their participation in an area of more than 1,700 m2 did not go unnoticed, capturing the attention of hundreds of international enterprises from all over the world. Egypt, which was the official Partner Country of FRUIT LOGISTICA 2016, held more than 700 business meetings during the trade show and is ready to expand its agricultural exports beyond its loyal partners.
“We have put our trust in this show since 1999 and this year we’ve broken all the records of participation,” said the Chairman of the Egyptian Agriculture Export Council, Ali Eissa. Egypt boasts vast swathes of new land untouched by pollution or disease.
These new areas are ideal for the cultivation of high quality produce and Egypt is now maximising this potential by expanding its agricultural area through major reclamation projects. Furthermore, its unique geographic location is conducive to high quality production, which employs more than 32% of the country’s workforce. In 2014-2015, the country exported over two billion dollars’ worth of agricultural products, not including rice, which represents more than 14% of Egypt’s GDP.
This article appeared on page 8 of issue 142 (March/April 2016) of Eurofresh Distribution magazine. Read that edition online here.
