Digitalisation, climate change and Brexit are just a few of the complex challenges facing the international fresh produce trade in the near future.
Answers and innovative solutions to these challenges will be presented and discussed from 5-8 February 2019 in the extensive professional support programme at Fruit Logistica 2019 in Berlin.
The support programme caters to all levels of the value chain, and includes Fruitnet World of Fresh Ideas on the day before the official opening, the Fresh Produce Forum, Future Lab and Logistics Hub on all three days of the fair, the Tech Stage on Wednesday and Thursday, and the brand new Start-up Stage on Friday.
Fruit Logistica kicks off with Fruitnet World of Fresh Ideas. This fast-paced multimedia show presented on the day before the official opening of the trade fair, focuses on innovations ranging from production, packaging, transport and logistics, to point of sale.
Highlights include the presentation of the 2019 Trend Report. The 'Surprises in Store' event demonstrates how consumer demand for fresh fruits and vegetables will influence the future of food retailing.
The Future Lab takes a look at what tomorrow will bring. Which products will enhance the range? What's new in production and research? Trade visitors will find answers to these questions in events including 'DeepFruits – Intelligent Harvesting', 'Almonds in the Blockchain' or 'Revolutionising Fresh Produce Quality for Consumers'.
The Logistics Hub provides information and answers for logistics specialists as well as for interested trade visitors. The optimisation of quality and costs will be addressed in the sessions 'Oceanfreight or Airfreight – What Next?: Are the leading global carriers competing for the favour of shippers?', 'Blockchain Technology – Shifting Power for the Benefit of Producers?' and 'Brexit: Who are the winners and who are the losers? Is there a wave of mergers and acquisitions in the UK cold storage business?'
The Fresh Produce Forum, the main stage for key industry topics, presents a series of one-hour sessions including 'Frozen fruit and vegetables – Trends and potential', 'The last mile' and 'The new packaging law – challenges and solutions'.
Without the right technology, even the best product may end up losing half its value. On the first two days of the trade fair, several exhibitors will be presenting interesting technical solutions on the Tech Stage. These include 'An update from PerfoTec on complimentary technologies being used to further enhance the shelf life of fresh produce' or 'Prepared for the unforeseeable in fruit logistics – Powered by algorithms'. The product launch of the new-generation 'Octinion' strawberry picking robotis eagerly awaited as part of the Tech Stage event.
On Friday, the Tech Stage will become the Start-up Stage. For the first time, 20 start-up companies will present their disruptive industry solutions in 10-minute sessions. For example, the US supply chain management start-up ImpactVision will demonstrate how the use of hyperspectral imaging technology can increase product consistency and automate quality control. The Dutch AgTech start-up PATS Indoor Drone Solutions will show how small drones can autonomously combat insects and pests.
