Digital Transformation of the value chain a central theme at Fruit Logistica 2019

From February 6 to 8, Berlin will be transformed into the hotspot of the fresh fruit industry. FRUIT LOGISTICA, the leading trade fair for the global fruit trade, not only reflects the entire value chain - from producer to retailer - but also offers the best platform for business, innovation and information.

The 78,000 buyers and trade visitors may look forward to more than 3,200 exhibitors displaying their products, services and technical solutions. With exhibitors from 90 countries, FRUIT LOGISTICA 2019 is more international than ever before.

And though the focus of Fruit Logistica is primarily the Fresh Fruit industry, the potato sector and its suppliers are well represented too, just have a look at the exhibitors related to potato industry as listed in the PotatoPro event section.

Armenia will be celebrating its premiere at FRUIT LOGISTICA, represented for the first time at a joint stand in Hall B. With Hall 9, which has its own entrance, FRUIT LOGISTICA will be adding another hall where exhibitors from the machinery and technology sector will be featured. This segment has steadily gained in importance in recent years and now occupies seven halls.

The continuing progress of digitalisation requires a stronger technical alignment of the entire fresh fruit industry. Under the motto "Disrupt Agriculture", FRUIT LOGISTICA's first Start-Up Day will be held on 8th February 2019. This motto stands for the multiple challenges of agriculture in the near and distant future.

The digital transformation taking place worldwide offers many possible solutions, also for agriculture and for fruit and vegetable cultivation. Innovative start-up companies are often the source of ideas in this relatively new field. 20 of them will be presenting their disruptive industry solutions for the cutting-edge key issues of digital farming, AgTech and supply chain management on Start-Up Day.

Madlen Miserius, Senior Product Manager at FRUIT LOGISTICA:

“With our growing number of exhibitors, we have again succeeded in increasing FRUIT LOGISTICA's status as the worldwide hotspot in the fresh fruit market.”

“Here, buyers and trade visitors gain the most comprehensive overview of the market so as to make the best possible use of the entire range that the global fruit trade has to offer. Besides ideal business opportunities, FRUIT LOGISTICA offers them a venue where they can find information and inspiration.”

“For example, future issues such as blockchain and robot systems will be addressed.”

Advancing digitalisation defining the value chain

FRUIT LOGISTICA's accompanying programme kicks off today with "Fruitnet World of Fresh Ideas" – a fast-paced multimedia show all about innovations in production, packaging, transport and logistics right up to the POS.

The presentation of this year's Trend Report is also eagerly awaited. Entitled "Surprises in Store", it will demonstrate how consumers' demand for fresh products will influence the future of the food retail trade. Today’s modern supermarkets offer an unprecedented variety of 400 to 600 different types of fruit and vegetables. Blueberries and avocados are two of the most popular trendsetters worldwide.

Current and future challenges of the international fruit trade will be addressed over the three days of the fair at a variety of serial events. Digitalisation, climate change and Brexit are impacting all parts of the value chain.

Blockchain and intelligent robot systems are just two innovative concepts which are already today enriching and drastically changing the fruit and vegetable industry. For example, digitally controlled machines are picking fruit 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

What was still no more than a pipe dream two years ago is now being tested in numerous projects under real conditions in Europe, the USA and New Zealand.

At the Future Lab, FRUIT LOGISTICA's "Workshop of the Future", and on the Tech Stage, where the "Technology of Tomorrow" will be presented, visitors can discover what potential lies ahead.

The Logistics Hub will be a source of information for producers, exporters and traders to help them make the right logistical decision as to the best possible way to transport their goods.

At the Fresh Produce Forum, experienced experts will be showcasing and analysing the latest developments from the world of the international fresh fruit trade.

An overview of all the events can be found in the FRUIT LOGISTICA event calendar.