FRUIT LOGISTICA 2007, the unique exhibition focusing on the international fresh produce trade presented from 8-10 February, exemplified first-class quality with a comprehensive market overview of the entire fruit and vegetable value chain, high quality stand presentations and top-ranking trade visitors with decision-making authority. The world's leading international trade fair for fruit and vegetable marketing broke a new attendance record again this year.
More than 42,000 trade visitors from 120 countries (2006: 36,000/110) were on hand to learn about the products and services available at all levels of the global fresh produce trade. This represents a 16% increase over last year's figures. FRUIT LOGISTICA attracted agricultural ministers from Egypt, Ghana, Greece, Israel and Italy as well as from this year's partner country, the Netherlands. Exhibitors and trade visitors alike praised the presence of top industry decision-makers as well as the excellent contacts to wholesalers and retailers, importers and exporters. The FRUIT LOGISTICA "Organics" and "Convenience" product segments attracted more exhibitors than ever before.
With the aim of providing a first-class marketing platform for the fresh cut and convenience product industry, Messe Berlin will stage a new trade show for this fresh produce sector next year. FRESHCONEX will take place parallel to FRUIT LOGISTICA 2008. According to Messe Berlin COO Dr. Christian Göke, "FRESHCONEX will further strengthen the leadership role of FRUIT LOGISTICA.
This unique event will be the world's only combined trade exhibition to bring together all major trade and business players with a focus on the rapidly-growing market for fresh-cut products". In addition to the annual industry event in Berlin, the new ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA trade exhibition will be staged for the first time in conjunction with the ASIA FRUIT CONGRESS from 5-7 September 2007 in Bangkok.
FresQ/Rainbow Growers Group wins Innovation Award with Vitamini’s
The Vitamini’s vegetable snack produced by the FresQ/Rainbow Growers Group (De Lier, Netherlands) is the winner of this year's FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award. Vitamini’s are ready-to-eat vegetables packed in a plastic bag. The unique mini vegetables are available in three attractive varieties: sugar-sweet mini tomatoes, crispy-tart gherkins and mild & tender orange-coloured peppers. Vitamini’s are ideal as a healthy snack food.
The rectangular shape of the package makes Vitamini’s suitable for vending machines. Vitamini’s will be marketed to compete with conventional snack products sold at filling stations, kiosks, supermarkets or fitness studios. The products will be launched on the German market within the next six weeks. The FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award is presented to honour outstanding new products and services that have significantly contributed to the fresh produce sector and were introduced to the market between November 2005 and October 2006. The industry innovation award is sponsored by Messe Berlin GmbH and FRUCHTHANDEL MAGAZINE, Düsseldorf.
Covering 72,000 square metres of indoor exhibition space, FRUIT LOGISTICA 2007 attracted 1,867 exhibitors from 74 countries (2006: 1,611 exhibitors, 64 countries, 60,000 sqm). The trade exhibition presented a complete market overview of the complex logistics that supply consumers worldwide with top-quality fresh fruit and vegetables year-round. Around 86% of the exhibitors at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2007 came from outside Germany. More than 75% of the trade visitors were from other European countries or other continents. Some 850 media representatives from 50 countries reported from the trade exhibition site in Berlin.
Exhibitors highly satisfied with achievement of exhibition objectives
Key objectives for exhibitors at FRUIT LOGISTICA include company presentation/image building, new business development and furthering customer relationships. Exhibitors also focused on providing information to industry professionals and presenting new products and services. Nearly all exhibitors reported that they were highly satisfied with their achievement of these objectives.
Although business contracts were not among the top priorities, nearly 50% of all exhibitors reported concluding new orders. 88% of the exhibitors rated the commercial success of their presence at FRUIT LOGISTICA as being positive. Some 86% of exhibitors said they anticipated good post-exhibition business. 72% of exhibitors assessed the economic situation for the industry as (very) good. As a result, 95% of the exhibitors rated their overall impression of this year's FRUIT LOGISTICA as positive. 92% said they would recommend the trade event to business partners and colleagues and 94% indicated that they planned to be back for FRUIT LOGISTICA 2008.
Trade visitors: Commercial results positive for 99%
The commercial results of their participation at FRUIT LOGISTICA were given a positive rating by 99% of trade visitors. 81% managed to establish new business contacts and 76% of the trade visitors anticipated further negotiations and business transactions as a result of these contacts. Trade visitors came to Berlin to establish new business contacts, find new suppliers, preview new products and services and gain an overview of the entire fruit and vegetable market along with the technical aspects of the logistics chain. Trade visitors were primarily interested in fresh produce as well as packaging and packaging equipment.
The trend toward increasing internationalisation continued at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2007. Some 22% of trade visitors came from Germany. Compared to last year's trade exhibition, the share of foreign trade visitors increased from 76% to 78%. Of those, around 70% came from EU member states and 8% from other countries in Europe. 10% came from the Americas, 6% from Africa, 5% from Asia and 1% from Oceania. Most of the trade visitors identified themselves as representatives from import/export companies, fruit and vegetable growers or wholesale/retail companies.
Despite the significant increase in the number of people attending FRUIT LOGISTICA this year, the share of trade visitors with high-level decision-making authority remained unchanged. Around 78% (2006: 74%) of the trade visitors attending the event are managing directors, directors or department heads. 76% (2006: 74%) said that they are directly or indirectly responsible for procurement decisions in their organisation.
Next date: 7-9 February 2008
FRUIT LOGISTICA 2007 was organised by Messe Berlin GmbH in cooperation with Fruchthandel Magazine (Düsseldorf). The next edition of FRUIT LOGISTICA is scheduled for 7-9 February 2008. The new FRESHCONEX trade show for fresh-cut and convenience products that debuts next year will take place in conjunction with FRUIT LOGISTICA and share the same dates and venue. |
