FRUIT LOGISTICA 2009 CLOSING REPORT
Exhibition Executive Dr. Göke: "FRUIT LOGISTICA shows its importance in difficult financial times" – Event attracts 50,000 trade visitors from 125 countries
Berlin, 6 February 2009 – FRUIT LOGISTICA 2009 underlined its role as the leading global trade event for the fresh produce trade. Exhibitors and trade visitors alike praised the international character of the event and the fact that it attracted a large number of top decision makers. Emphasis was also placed on the excellent contacts with wholesalers and retailers, fruit and vegetable growers, importers and exporters. The leading exhibition for fruit and vegetable marketing once again attracted 50,000 trade visitors from 125 countries. According to exhibition executive Dr. Christian Göke, "FRUIT LOGISTICA continues to gain importance in the international produce trade. There was no trace of crisis in the air this year. Despite difficult financial times, the industry's leading trade fair confirmed its status as the leading marketing platform for all players in the global value chain. The event provided an important impetus to the fresh produce business".
This success of FRUIT LOGISTICA 2009 was confirmed by key exhibitors at the 3-day trade fair. Commenting on the event, Stuart Symington from the Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum (South Africa) said, "In today’s challenging financial times, FRUIT LOGISTICA pulled out all the stops to foster confidence and build relationships in the global fresh produce industry. Fantastic!" The impact of FRUIT LOGISTICA 2009 on the fruit and vegetable trade was highlighted by Dalia Kabeel, Portfolio Manager for the Egyptian Exporters’ Association: "Export sales of fruit and vegetables from Egypt add up to EUR 100 million per year. 70% of this amount is generated by companies during the three days of FRUIT LOGISTICA".
A record-breaking 2288 exhibitors (2008: 2110) from 80 countries (2008: 68) presented the full spectrum of the logistics services required to ensure a year-round supply of top-quality fresh fruit and vegetables to consumers all over the world. The exhibition space for this year's event was increased to 88,000m² (2008: 81,000m²). Around 89% of the exhibitors came from outside Germany.
The share of international trade visitors increased to 80% this year (2008: 75%). Most of them came from EU countries (68%), primarily Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Great Britain/Northern Ireland. 25% of the foreign visitors came from the Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania. The vast majority of trade visitors said that FRUIT LOGISTICA 2009 had a positive impact on their business.
FRUIT LOGISTICA 2009 was officially opened by Ilse Aigner, Germany's Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection. The trade fair was also attended by Chilean Minister of Agriculture Marigén Hornkohl representing this year's FRUIT LOGISTICA partner country. Other officials at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2009 included Egyptian Minister of Agriculture Amin Abaza, Greek Minister of Agriculture Sotiris Chatzigakis, Trade Minister Lic. Fredis Cerrato from Honduras, Jorge Ruede Sousa, Mexican Minister for Europe and Italian Minister of Agriculture Luca Zaia. 39 Ambassadors and a number of national delegations were on hand to represent their countries and set up new business contacts.
MARKET INFORMATION
In calendar year 2008, the United States exported a total of almost $9.6 billion worth of fresh fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, and dried fruits. More than 22% or 2.1 billion U.S. dollars worth of fresh produce was destined for European countries, primarily the EU. At FRUIT LOGISTICA, U.S. exhibitors can reach buyers from most major markets around the globe. Trade visitors from the European Union, however, accounted for 68.3% of total visitors and an additional 11.1% came from other European countries, Central and Eastern Europe, and Near/Middle Eastern countries. Depending upon the area of destination, the show offers good market opportunities for practically all fresh and ready-to eat packaged fruits, vegetables, dried fruits, and nuts.
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