The world’s largest trade fair for fruit, vegetables and agricultural products will open its doors in Berlin from 07-09FEB24 and a new record number of participants is on the horizon. A total of 2,750 exhibitors from 94 countries have registered, which is an increase of around 10% compared to last year’s trade fair. The 26 halls at the Berlin exhibition grounds are therefore almost fully booked by exhibitors, much to the delight of the organizers. And the event has a few new features. This was made clear by experts at the digital press event on Thursday 01FEB24, in the run-up to the Berlin trade show.
As Event Director Kai Mangelberger emphasized at the beginning of the call, the importance of digitalization, automation and AI is also rapidly increasing in the agricultural industry. He called for participation in a symposium on innovation next Friday (09FEB24), at which companies – especially start-ups – will present new developments. In his preview of this year’s trade fair, he pointed out a global trend in the agricultural sector with recognizable effects on supply chains and trade: The spread of risks. This is because the pressure on producers is constantly growing, for example due to increased red tape set up by politicians and authorities, the consequences of climate change with a lack of precipitation and high temperatures which lead to crop failures and the desertification of usable agricultural land, rising energy costs for producers, and the decline of consumer spending due to price hikes caused by inflation in many countries.
From outdoor to indoor production
Due to their urgency, such critical topics are listed much higher on Fruit Logistica’s 2024 agenda than in previous years. It seems that the days are gone when exhibitors mainly presented their products to the public in neat and attractive packaging. Now it is all about the future of the industry, including its air and maritime transport partners, as well as trucking and warehousing.
In his presentation, Tom Stenzel, Managing Director of the Controlled Environment Agriculture Alliance (CEA), USA, illustrated the gradual change in the cultivation of vegetables and fruit. CEA is an exciting and highly topical subject. It plays an important role in the Berlin event program and is the focus of this year’s Trend Report, which will be published at the trade fair. Stenzel said that meanwhile 85% of all tomatoes planted and harvested in the U.S., are grown indoors. According to him, the advantages of indoor farmed products over those grown on green fields are: “that they can be marketed 365 days/year, irrigated and harvested whenever needed. Compared to field grown tomatoes, their quality is superior when it comes to freshness and flavor. Less manpower is needed, and transportation costs are lower.”
New trends
In addition, two other topics take precedence on the agenda of this year’s Fruit Logistica: vertical farming and emerging markets. Vertical farming is a growing phenomenon, especially in urban areas. However, it is likely to remain a niche product in the longer term due to small-scale production limitations, remarked Mike Knowles, MD Fruitnet Europe, UK. This example illustrates his statement: “To meet its residents’ demand, Paris would need 16,000 hectares of roof and vertical cultivation area to supply its dwellers with sufficient fruit and vegetables.”
Another focus is on emerging markets. “Kenya and large parts of Africa will become Europe’s future basket for fruit and vegetable supply,” predicts expert Knowles. The cultivation of agricultural products is growing rapidly there, many of which are exported by air or ocean carriers to markets in the northern hemisphere.
Networking opportunities are also taken into account
As Managing Director Mangelberger said, there will be an “Innovation Of The Year Award. Exhibitors and media representatives can take part in the voting. After-work events are also scheduled and will take place at the North and South exits of the fairground for networking purposes and to create a pleasant atmosphere for participants. Exhibitors, visitors, and media representatives alike can take part in these events.
CargoForwarder Global will be represented at the trade show. Anyone interested in a personal meeting or discussion, should send an e-mail to info@cgofor.eu no later than Monday afternoon (05FEB24).
