Following on from Egypt in 2016, Germany's fruit industry will be on home turf as the partner country of Fruit Logistica in Berlin next year. 

The decision was made to mark the 25th anniversary of the event, which will take place in the German capital from Feb. 8-10.

In a release, the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) emphasized the importance of the world's leading trade fair for fresh produce, particularly when it came to the changing export market situation.

The campaign will be undertaken in conjunction with the German Association of Fruit and Vegetable Growers (BVEO).

"We at the BMEL are delighted to see that Messe Berlin has teamed up with the BVEO as a competent German partner for this event," said State Secretary Dr. Robert Kloos.

"FRUIT LOGISTICA was founded in 1993 in response to encouragement from the fresh produce trade and has since become the industry leading trade fair. In its anniversary year, we are delighted to see FRUIT LOGISTICA linked to its historical roots with Germany as the official partner country," added Messe Berlin's head of products and new business, Gérald Lamusse.

"With 70,000 trade visitors expected at FRUIT LOGISTICA, we are creating an excellent platform to communicate the partner country's core message," he said.

The release from Fruit Logistica organizers said German exports were still relatively restrained, but an upward trend is on the horizon, with the reliable and carefully monitored quality of German produce attracting more attention on foreign markets.

This also applies to many of the German specialities, including white asparagus, strawberries and bush berries.

"Under the slogan 'Germany – Your Garden', we are showcasing the diversity of products offered by the German fresh produce industry to our international market partners," said BVEO managing director Dr. Christian Weseloh.

Germany is by far Europe's largest market for fruit and vegetables. Private German households spent approximately €20 billion on fruit, vegetables and potatoes in 2015, and approximately €15 billion of this amount was spent on fresh produce.

The partner country project is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL).

www.freshfruitportal.com