Global photo reports of Fruit Logistica 2019

Last Monday we've shown you the horticultural photo report of the Fruit Logistica. Even though to us that's obviously the most important one, it's not the only one. This year, about 78,000 people attended the world’s largest trade show for fresh produce. Altogether, exhibitors and trade show visitors represented 130 countries, making for a truly global event. And since HortiDaily is part of an international publishing agency, our colleagues did our best to photograph all of them. So take your time and enjoy some more photos!

Here is the photo report with the horticultural suppliers.

Here's our team working on the international photo reports. And there's what they've done:

Less plastic and pesticides
And what's going on in the fresh produce world? The reduction of plastic is a major issue. A few years ago, this was reserved for companies focused on organic products. Since then, many companies have started using cardboard, pulp, and sugarcane trays and packaging. This change is, in part, due to pressure from the retail chains.

This was reflected in the Germans stands. This year, these stands had a clear common theme - sustainability. This is a major factor, especially when it comes to product packaging. According to many, this will become of major importance in the coming years. A new packaging law was recently passed.

This means traders are, in a certain sense, compelled to actively combat environmental pollution. They also have to reduce the use of plastics as much as possible. The result is a multitude of experimental and hybrid alternatives for existing packaging flooding the market. These include cellulose, biodegradable plastic, and packaging with air holes or parts made of other materials. All this, to minimize the use of plastics.

Brexit: ‘crazy show’
The Brexit deadline is looming. Many companies are following this issue with interest and go to meetings. They do, however, admit that, just like their colleagues, they will have to just wait and see what happens. Small wonder then, that is was the theme among the British standholders. British, as well as Irish importers, are calling the whole Brexit, a ‘crazy show’. They do not, however, seem to be genuinely worried.

Most of the large companies trust that they have the capacity to manage the changes. The first four post-Brexit weeks will be the ‘tricky period’. This is irrelevant of whether there is a deal or not. In those weeks, the United Kingdom is still very dependent on imports from Europe; Spain in particular. The small traders will have to fit the bill and will have the most extra costs.

One trader is said to want to build up stock for that month. This will be to bridge the gap until the British season starts. Other companies are looking for alternative ports. In this way, they hope to minimize waiting times and delays. Irish importers are considering direct routes to the island. They will, then, not have to use the UK as a land bridge.

World stage
So what's so special about the Fruit Logistica? It's the fact that everybody is there. ‘Phenomenal’, ‘eye-opening’, ‘a must-go’ and ‘incredible’ are some of the words that came to mind when our Freshplaza colleagues asked a number of North America attendees about their experience in Berlin. “This was my first trip to Fruit Logistica and it was quite an eye-opening experience,” says Brenda Briggs with Rice Fruit Company. “The show is so much bigger than PMA and is truly a world stage,” she added. At the show, Briggs represented the US Apple Export Council and she was surprised by the number of apple varieties that were new to her. “Variety development was a strong point of the show, but packaging was also very interesting and, in many cases, different from what we see here in the US.”

North America’s presence at Fruit Logistica is increasing as many involved in fresh produce know what this show has to offer. Those who haven’t made the trip across the pond are curious to find out what’s so special about this show.