FRUIT LOGISTICA 2015 will be the global fresh produce sector's most significant and comprehensive industry event ever. There will be a total of 2,750 exhibitors from 83 countries – 150 more exhibitors than last year. Ninety percent of the exhibitors are from outside Germany, as are 80% of the expected 60,000 trade visitors from more than 130 countries. That makes FRUIT LOGISTICA one of the world's most international trade fairs. The event takes place in Berlin on 4 to 6 February.
Messe Berlin CEO Dr. Christian Göke: "Few trade fairs worldwide lead their sector as clearly as FRUIT LOGISTICA. This is confirmed by the record figures as well as FRUIT LOGISTICA's status as the fresh produce industry's most important platform for business, innovation and information."
The FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Platform: Spotlight features 34 world premieres
The first Spotlight has been published online for FRUIT LOGISTICA 2015. This exclusive overview of premieres and innovations offers exhibitors at the international fresh produce industry's leading trade fair an opportunity to present their latest and improved products and services. Spotlight is designed to help trade visitors plan their visit in a more targeted way, and is also useful for the trade press. The first edition of Spotlight features 70 articles, including 34 world and nine European premieres.
Focus on official partner country Portugal
Portugal, the official partner country of FRUIT LOGISTICA 2015, has announced its biggest appearance yet. The country's most important exporters will be exhibiting at the 600m² Portuguese pavilion. Portugal is looking forward to strengthening its profile with international buyers as a supplier of quality products. The export volumes of this southern European nation are continually growing. Fresh produce exports increased by 26% over the past three years, from EUR 780 million in 2010 to EUR 983 million in 2013. Figures released by Portugal Fresh, the national association of fruit, vegetable and flower exporters, confirm that the country's global market advantage is increasing, thanks mainly to higher-quality products offered at competitive prices. Last year, Portugal produced fruit and vegetables worth EUR 2.6 billion, with exports accounting for EUR 1 billion.
Portugal, the official partner country of FRUIT LOGISTICA 2015
Data on the global trade in fruit and vegetables
According to the latest figures from AMI, the agricultural market information service based in Bonn, a total of approximately 970 million tonnes of vegetables (excluding melons) and about 820 million tonnes of fruit (including melons) were produced worldwide in 2014. Production of both fruit and vegetables has risen steadily in recent years.
In 2014, the fruit harvest in the EU almost matched that of the previous year, at just under 38 million tonnes, while the vegetable harvest of approximately 63 million tonnes was about 4% higher than 2013.
Following a poor harvest in 2013, nearly all of Germany's fruit producers had a very plentiful harvest last year. Stiff competition within individual ranges increased price pressure, but also ensured very high sales volumes. Total annual production, at nearly 1.4 million tonnes, almost matched the all-time record harvest set in 2009-2010. In 2014, apple growers were able to produce to their full potential for the first time since that record-breaking season. As a result, the harvest topped the million-tonne mark. According to AMI estimates, market production of vegetables reached 3.9 million tonnes in 2014 (+14%), the highest level in a quarter-century.
AMI also estimates that German fresh vegetable imports probably dropped slightly in 2014 to just under 3.1 million tonnes. But this is hardly surprising after the record-breaking imports of almost 3.2 million tonnes in 2013. Spain and the Netherlands remain the most important suppliers of fresh vegetables. Together they account for almost two-thirds of Germany's total imports.
German imports of fresh fruit in 2014 will probably not quite match the record levels of the previous year (5.2 million tonnes). Imports of fruit from temperate regions in particular were down, whereas the volumes of tropical fruits remained almost constant. Banana imports in particular fared much better. The average private household consumed 155.7 kg of fresh produce
Private households in Germany purchased an average of 85.4 kg of fresh fruit in 2014, almost 2% less than in the previous year, and spent almost 5% less (EUR 153.56) than in 2013. Previously there had been a significant increase in the price of fresh fruit, but this did not continue in 2014. Although large amounts of apples, bananas and oranges are consumed in Germany, sales of apples and oranges fell in 2014, while those of bananas remained stable. Sales of table grapes decreased significantly due in part to a particularly wet growing season in Italy. Pears were among the few fresh fruits in the top ten that did well.
Consumption of fresh vegetables increased by almost 2%, at 70.3 kg per average household. However, consumer spending decreased by more than 1% to EUR 147.76. Tomatoes, carrots and onions remain the highest-selling products in terms of weight, although all three saw a slight fall in purchased volumes. However, there was significant growth for cucumbers and sweet peppers, the next highest sellers. Asparagus had the largest relative increase, benefiting from a bountiful domestic harvest.
Germany's top ten favourite fruits and vegetables
PotatoPro note: In Germany potatoes are not considered a vegetable!
On average, private households in Germany consumed the following amounts of fresh fruit in 2014: 18.5 kg of apples, 15.6 kg of bananas, 9.3 kg of oranges, 6.6 kg of easy peelers, 4.8 kg of grapes, 4.4 kg of strawberries, 4.4 kg of melons, 3.2 kg of pears, 3.0 kg of nectarines and 2.1 kg of pineapples. In terms of fresh vegetables, private households in Germany consumed the following on average in 2014: 11.4 kg of tomatoes, 8.3 kg of carrots, 7.5 kg of onions, 7.4 kg of cucumbers, 5.9 kg of sweet peppers, 3.1 kg of iceberg lettuce, 2.4 kg of asparagus, 2.0 kg of cauliflower, 1.7 kg of leeks and 1.7 kg of courgettes.
Leading the way: Organic and Convenience Routes
Organic and fresh convenience foods offer retailers big opportunities to boost sales. FRUIT LOGISTICA clearly reflects the appeal of these segments, with over 600 exhibitors displaying their organic products at this year's event. Of these exhibitors, 146 are presenting their certified products on the Organic Route. An increase is also evident among the more than 250 exhibitors from the fresh convenience sector, with 50 of them featured along the Convenience Route.
Supporting programme
The 34th Fresh Product Forum takes place the day before the exhibition opens. It will focus on the question "Nutrition 2020: What does the consumer really want?" (Tuesday, 3 February 2015, 15:00 – 18:30, Hall 7.3a, Saal Berlin). To emphasise the significance of technical solutions for the fresh produce trade, FRUIT LOGISTICA 2015 is introducing an exclusive series of events centred on machines, technology and packaging. On the Tech Stage (Hall 7.1c), 10 FRUIT LOGISTICA exhibitors will present their technical novelties and innovations to the trade visitors.
The Future Lab series of events (Hall 21, Stand D-09) showcases innovative products, projects and solutions that will enhance the fruit and vegetable industry with innovations in the coming years or contribute significantly to optimisation along the value chain.
In nine Hall Forums (Kleiner Stern), experts will present their views on current issues facing the industry.
All the events will be translated simultaneously into English, German, French, Italian and Spanish. Trade visitors will find an overview of all the events in the accompanying programme here.
Innovation of the year
"And the winner is..." The winner of the FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award (FLIA) will be announced at a special award ceremony on 6 February 2015. Regarded as the most coveted innovation award in the fresh produce industry, the FLIA is presented for outstanding new products and services that have had a positive impact on the fruit and vegetable sector. A panel of experts has selected ten candidates for the final round from a large number of submissions. During the first two days of the exhibition, FRUIT LOGISTICA trade visitors will vote for their favourites in the passageway between Halls 20 and 21.
The nominees for the FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award 2015, in alphabetical order:
- Aviv Flowers Packing House Ltd, Israel: "Aurora Seedless Papaya" – A small, seedless variety of papaya
- Bakker Barendrecht (Member of the UNIVEG Group), Netherlands: "DIY fresh packs" – Packages of mixed fruit/vegetables with additional ingredients and recipes for creative dishes
- Cabka Group GmbH, Germany: "Eye-Catcher" – A product display system for crates at the POS
- Atlas Pacific Engineering, Inc., USA: "FC 15 Fruit Chunker" –A cutting machine for pineapple and melons
- Polymer Logistics, Germany: "Holzdekor-RPC" – Reusable plastic crates with a natural wood look
- BelOrta, Belgium: "Lemoncherry" – A yellow cherry tomoato variety
- Holfeld Plastics Ltd, Ireland: "Low Carbon rPETeCo" –Packaging material consisting of 90% recycled plastic bottles
- Sunforest Co. Ltd., South Korea: "Portable Nondestructive Fruit Quality Meter" – A portable quality-control measuring device
- Regal'in Europe, France: "Regal'in™ Apple" – A new apple variety
- Hepro GmbH, Germany: "UP-8000" – A peeling machine for carrots, cucumbers, radishes and other long vegetables
Visitor Information
FRUIT LOGISTICA 2015 is open daily from 9:00 to 18:00, 4 to 6 February. Tickets are available to purchase online at discount prices: EUR 27 for a one-day pass, EUR 57 for a three-day pass. Tickets purchased at the gate cost EUR 37 for a one-day pass, EUR 78 for a three-day pass. A three-day ticket including admission to the 34th Fresh Produce Forum costs EUR 90. Ticket prices include an exhibition catalogue. A free bus shuttle to the exhibition site (North and South entrances) from Berlin-Tegel and Berlin-Schönefeld airports operates daily from 4 to 6 February between 8:00 and 19:00 at 15/30-minute intervals. Free shuttle buses will also be available to take FRUIT LOGISTICA visitors to and from numerous hotels in the area.
