Have you ever heard of Fruit Logistica? If you work in the fruit and veg sector you will have done for sure! But for those that don’t know what it is, Fruit Logistica is the main exhibition in Europe for the fresh produce industry. It takes place every year the first week of February in Berlin and it’s a massive and popular event. You can’t miss it!

Last week (8^th to 10^th) in Berlin we were there too and, for the first time, with a really nice stand of about 25 mq in the UK hall 8.2.

But let’s start with a few numbers. Despite the Wednesday strikes at both Berlin airports that tried to slow down the event, this was a record edition: more than 75000 visitors (5% more than last year) from over 130 countries and more than 3100 exhibitors from 84 countries. Those numbers include fruit and vegetable growers, import/export companies and wholesalers and retailers.

The aim of Fruit Logistica is to meet customers, maintain a relationship with both customers and suppliers, show new innovations and, of course, generate new business. We are happy to say that our first time as exhibitors went very well!  And we presented our innovation too: “Smartleaf”

Part of our staff has been there busy with meeting with our current growers and clients, but also they were there to find new business and to explain everyone what JWE is and how we care about what we do every day.

This year Fruit Logistica also celebrated its 25^th anniversary also with a funny initiative: #25Fruits photo shooting. Started a few months ago the aim was to take picture with fruit and veg… and the shooting continued during the fair between the halls 10.1/11.1 and hall B.

As every year, Fruit Logistica defines a partner country. For this 25^th anniversary they chose the host country: Germany. In fact, Germany represents one of the largest consumer market in Europe with a continued growth and it’s one of the main destinations for the fresh produce products.

One of the main events during the fair is always the Fruit Logistica Award (FLIA). Both exhibitors and co-exhibitors can participate. The aim is to highlight the innovations in the fresh produce industry. Innovations can be products, services or technical. The competition is organized by Messe Berlin and FRUCHTHANDEL MAGAZINE. Here’s the 10 innovations that were selected by an expert jury to run for the final prize.

And after three days of voting, the public elected the 2017 FLIA award winner: Knox™– Delayed pinking in fresh cut lettuce by  Zwaan Zaadteelt en Zaadhandel BV, Netherlands. They are now the first company that has ever won the award twice in history.

New countries there for the first time: China, Far East and Middle East. South Africa and South America always participating – the entire world comes to Berlin and that always makes Fruit Logistica the best event and the best way to discover what’s new in our amazing and always progressing fresh produce industry.

In the end another great edition full of people and innovative ideas. We are already thinking about next year, so…stay tuned!