Diverse Supporting Program at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2022
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Like all fairs, logistics fairs also suffered under Corona. Now it is set to start again. As one of the first trade fairs, the FRUIT LOGISTICA will open its doors in Berlin from April 5 to 7, 2022. Topics along the supply chain of fruits and vegetables, a special niche of logistics, will be showcased. The first edition took place in 1993 as part of the Green Week. Since then, the number of exhibitors and visitors has massively increased.
By Andreas Müller
“The most important thing upfront: The FRUIT LOGISTICA 2022 can take place, everything else we will see.” This is how succinctly Kai Mangelberger, project manager of the FRUIT LOGISTICA, puts it. Mangelberger took over the management of the trade fair on November 1, 2021, and the first task was to postpone the original date from February 2022 to the current date of April 5 to 7, which is proving to be the right decision. The edition in February 2020 was, by the way, one of the last fairs in Germany that could still take place before Corona, and therefore the FRUIT LOGISTICA was completely canceled in 2021.
Trade visitors and exhibitors come from all over the world
The FRUIT LOGISTICA encompasses all fresh produce business sectors and market participants worldwide and offers a complete overview of all innovations, products, and services at all trade levels. The fair thus creates excellent networking opportunities with key target groups at decision-maker level.
The fair revolves around product groups such as fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, mushrooms, table potatoes, nuts and dried fruits, fresh convenience products, fresh herbs, sprouts and spices, flowers and potted plants, organic products, fair trade products, and frozen fruits and vegetables.
The first edition of the annually held FRUIT LOGISTICA took place in 1993 as part of the Green Week and attracted 110 exhibitors and 1,224 trade visitors at that time. By the second edition, the numbers had already doubled. Since 2004, the FRUIT LOGISTICA has been held as an independent event.
“At the last edition in 2020, 72,700 visitors from 135 countries flocked to the halls of Messe Berlin. 3,334 exhibitors offered their products to them. The countries with the largest shares are Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain,” explains Mangelberger.
72,700 visitors from all over the world flocked to the exhibition halls of FRUIT LOGISTICA in 2020
For the upcoming edition in April, it is unlikely that the record numbers of the 2020 edition will be achieved among exhibitors. However, it has only recently been confirmed that the event can take place live at all. “So far, around 2,000 exhibitors have registered for 2022. We are pleased that registrations have increased recently. In particular, it is now confirmed that South Americans can come, and there is great interest from there. Europeans are still somewhat reserved,” Mangelberger notes.
Among visitors, it is still possible to reach the numbers of 2022. Many want to meet in person again. People are eager to go out again. What could be better professionally than a fair?
Since 2007, there has been an annual offshoot in Hong Kong called ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA. Mangelberger adds: “Further editions abroad are not planned. But the Asian fresh market is special, which is why a decision was made back then for an event in Asia.”
Innovations and Supporting Program for the 2022 Edition
“The focus for FRUIT LOGISTICA 2022 is on taking place. Nevertheless, there are a few innovations,” announces Mangelberger. There will be an area called “Smart Agri” where digital offerings will be summarized in one area. Mangelberger adds: “Additionally, there will be an app for the first time that will guide visitors through the halls. This will be activated two weeks before the fair begins.”
Various supporting programs round off the fair. Among other things, there will be a Fresh Produce Forum, the FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award (FLIA), a Tech Stage, a Logistics Hub, a Future Lab, and a Start-up Day.
About FRUIT LOGISTICA
FRUIT LOGISTICA is the leading trade fair for global fruit trade and represents the entire value chain of the fruit and vegetable industry, from producer to point of sale. At FRUIT LOGISTICA 2020, over 3,300 exhibitors from 91 countries presented their products, services, and technical solutions. Around 73,000 buyers and trade visitors from more than 135 countries participated in the event. The next FRUIT LOGISTICA will take place from April 5 to 7, 2022, in Berlin.
About Messe Berlin
For 200 years, Berlin has been a trade fair location, and for many decades one of the most important worldwide. As a state-owned trade fair company, Messe Berlin designs, markets, and organizes hundreds of live events every year. The aim is to be an outstanding host for visitors at all events, to provide the best possible business impulses, and to ensure fair conditions for everyone. This self-understanding is reflected in the company motto: Messe Berlin – Hosting the World.
Kai Mangelberger, has been Director of FRUIT LOGISTICA since November 1, 2021. Previously, he led the event on an interim basis since July 2021. He has nearly 20 years of experience in the trade fair and event industry and previously worked for six years as deputy project manager of InnoTrans, the international leading trade fair for transport technology. He has been with Messe Berlin since 2009. He holds a Bachelor of Arts – BA in Media Management/Applied Communication Research and is a trained event technology specialist.
