Fruit Logistica flags

Fruit Logistica 2009, the leading international conference and exhibition event for the fresh produce industry, is set to break a number of records when it takes place on 4-6 February at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds in Germany.

Exhibition space is up nearly 10 per cent on the previous year, with an area of 88,000m2 (81,000m2 in 2008) covering Halls 1 to 25, with additional space on the red level, Halls 1.1, 3.1 and 4.1.

Over 2,200 exhibitors will display their products and services at the event, up from 2,115 in 2008, representing a total of 79 countries, an increase on the 68 countries exhibiting last year. Of those, Gambia, Guinea, the Comoros, Croatia, Lebanon and Uzbekistan are represented for the first time.

Ilse Aigner, the German federal minister of food, agriculture and consumer protection, will be joined by Chile's Minister of Agriculture Marigén Hornkohl at the opening ceremony on 3 February.

Prior to this, participants have been invited to attend the 28th Fresh Produce Forum where the key focus will be on 'The future structure of trade – from production to the point of sale'.

Freshconex, which takes place parallel to Fruit Logistica, will be held in Hall 2.1 where more than 70 exhibitors from 13 countries will present products and services from all sectors of the international fresh-cut convenience market.