Fruit Logistica : over 35,000 trade visitors from 112 countries

Although the signing of contracts is not the primary aim of exhibitors at FRUIT LOGISTICA, substantially more deals were concluded than in 2005.

These included the contracts signed during FRUIT LOGISTICA with a value of some 100 million US dollars that were reported by the Secretary General of the Mediterranean Exporters� Union from Turkey, Selami Gedik.

Summing up the fair, Dr. Christian G�ke, Chief Operating Officer of Messe Berlin, stated: �FRUIT LOGISTICA 2006 provided a unique display of the capabilities and achievements of the entire value chain in the international fresh produce trade. The FRUIT LOGISTICA brand has developed sufficiently to become an export hit for Messe Berlin. In addition to the annual meeting of the industry in Berlin, from 2007 onwards FRUIT LOGISTICA will also staging an event in Asia, thereby giving an additional boost to the leading fair for the international fresh produce trade in Berlin�, according to G�ke. ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA will be taking place from 5 to 7 September 2007 in co-operation with the Asiafruit Congress and the first of these events will be held in Bangkok.

The trade fair was rounded off by an outstanding programme of conferences and several industry awards ceremonies, including the presentation of the inaugural FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award. From the ten entries that were short-listed the company Rijk Zwaan (De Lier, The Netherlands) received the award for the �Salanova� lettuce, whose leaves are all of similar size and which can be prepared with just a single slice through the core.

The 1,611 exhibitors from 64 countries occupied 60,000 square metres in the exhibition halls, presenting a complete overview of the market, showing the advanced logistics required to supply consumers with fresh fruit and vegetables of the best possible quality throughout the year and at any location. This year some 86 per cent of the exhibitors came from abroad. More than three quarters of the trade visitors were from other European countries and from other continents.

The exhibitors were in agreement that the most successful aspects of this year�s fair were the excellent contacts with wholesalers and retailers, importers and exporters, and with business associates from all stages of the fresh produce trade. 96 per cent of the trade visitors described the commercial results of their visit to the fair as positive. One notable feature of the trade visitors was their high standing in the decision-making hierarchy. Approximately 76 per cent were members of the management of their respective companies or were responsible for procurement decisions.