FRUIT LOGISTICA 2013 – The Trip Of The Year For The Industry’s Top Decision-Makers

“Today at FRUIT LOGISTICA, tomorrow on the shelves of food retailers” – a statement that sums up the industry’s and consumer’s perspective of the leading trade fair for the international fresh fruit trade. From 6 to 8 February 2013, a total of 2,543 exhibitors from 78 countries will be presenting not only the entire product and service range that so amply supplies consumers with fresh fruit and vegetables, but also numerous interesting industry innovations that serve as a valuable driving force in the industry, increasing the variety of options for the consumer. Some 55,000 high-ranking trade visitors from 120 countries are expected in Berlin. 90 % of the exhibitors and around 80 % of the trade visitors will be coming from outside Germany, making FRUIT LOGISTICA one of the most international trade fairs worldwide.

Peru: Official partner country

Peru is the official partner country of FRUIT LOGISTICA 2013. According to information from PromPerú, the Peruvian Export and Tourism Promotion Commission, the South American country exported 842,000 tonnes of fresh fruit and vegetables valued at USD 1.1 billion last year. Its main exports were table grapes (USD 299 million), asparagus (USD 289 million), avocados (USD 164 million), mangos (USD 117 million), bananas (USD 69 million) and citrus fruit (USD 66 million). The country’s key trade partners include the US (36 %) and the Netherlands (24 %) as well as the UK, Spain and Hong Kong. Peru’s growing significance as an international supplier of fresh fruit and vegetables is evident in part through the following rankings: Peru is the world’s largest exporter of asparagus, holds second place in the export of avocados and third place in the export of organic bananas. The country expects growing sales potential for pomegranates, blueberries, figs and cherimoyas. In exhibiting as the partner country of FRUIT LOGISTICA, Peru aims to tap into new markets in Asia and Eastern Europe; to boost its marketing, especially of avocados and citrus fruit, in Europe and the US; and to permanently establish itself in markets with existing trade agreements.

Leading the way: Two new visitor routes

The organic and fresh convenience segments are offering increasingly exciting opportunities for further sales growth in the retail sector. A new service for trade visitors picks up on this development. The Convenience Route and the Organic Route assist trade visitors at FRUIT LOGISTICA in quickly and directly identifying exhibitors offering certified organic produce or fresh convenience products. These exhibitors are clearly identified as such in the exhibition halls and the Virtual Market Place®. This offers visitors a clear overview of all key businesses.

Global fresh produce sector facts and figures

According to the latest figures from the AMI (agricultural market information service) in Bonn, 860 million tonnes of vegetables (excluding melons) and 730 million tonnes of fruit (including melons) were produced worldwide in 2012. Production figures for both fruit and vegetables have steadily increased over the past few years.

The EU is the world’s leading import region for fresh fruit. Preliminary figures for 2012 show imports from third countries as comparable to those from the previous year. The amount of imported pomaceous fruit and bananas, however, showed a decline. The amount of fresh vegetables imported into the EU is less notable, as there is very intense trade of vegetables between the individual EU countries. The US and Russia are also key countries when it comes to the export of fresh fruit and vegetables outside of Europe.

Compared to the previous year, the EU fruit crop decreased by more than 8 % in 2012 (that is, 2012/13) to around 34 million tonnes. Lower yields were registered for stone fruit and pomaceous fruit in particular; kiwi and soft fruit crops also saw somewhat lower yields. Even citrus fruit crops were harvested in somewhat lesser quantities. With approximately 61 million tonnes, the EU vegetable harvest in 2012 is likewise expected to show a decrease of around 3 % compared to the previous year.

The innovation of the year

The famous words “And the winner is …” will once again be pronounced at the ceremony to present this year’s FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award (FLIA) on 8 February. The FLIA is considered the fresh produce industry’s most sought-after innovation prize because it honours outstanding new products and services in the fruit and vegetable sector that give the sector a real boost. The jury drew up a short-list of ten nominees from all the entries received. Trade visitors to the FRUIT LOGISTICA will be able to vote for their innovation of the year at the FLIA stand between Halls 20 and 21.

The supporting programme: with its finger on the industry’s pulse

A wide-ranging series of lectures, seminars and podium discussions will provide trade visitors with plenty of information about current issues, challenges and trends throughout the sector.

Visitor information

The FRUIT LOGISTICA 2013 will take place from 9:00 to 18:00 hrs on 6-8 February. Tickets may be purchased online at the preferential rate of EUR 25 for a one-day pass and EUR 55 for a three-day pass. This compares to EUR 32 and EUR 73 respectively for admission at the door. The three-day pass can be combined with entry to the Fresh Produce Forum for EUR 85. Tickets include a trade fair catalogue and access to all hall forums. A complimentary shuttle bus will operate at 30-minute intervals between 8:00 and 19:00 hrs on 6-8 February from Tegel and Schönefeld Airports to the trade fair complex (North and South entrances). FRUIT LOGISTICA will also offer a free shuttle service between numerous hotels and the trade fair complex.