Fruit Logistica, the world’s leading fresh produce trade exhibition, has announced that its forthcoming edition on 9-11 February 2022 will take place under so-called ‘2G conditions’.
This means only people who are fully inoculated against Covid with an EU-approved vaccine, or have fully recovered from the disease, will be permitted entry to the show.
In practice, and until further notice, all participants must provide digital proof of their vaccination or recovered status in order to access the Berlin exhibition area.
Vaccines currently approved for use in the EU are Moderna (Spikevax), BionTech/Pfizer (Comirnaty), AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) and Johnson & Johnson (Janssen).
Certificates from outside the EU will need to be converted first into a digital EU vaccination certificate.
Current official regulations do not allow those who have received another vaccine, such as Sputnik or Sinovac, to participate.
“Approval for both of these vaccines was applied for in spring 2021, so the regulations might yet be changed,” organiser Messe Berlin said in a statement.
Access for trade fair participants
However, conditions of entry into Germany are due to be eased for trade fair exhibitors and visitors, it added. It also pointed to an “excellent overview” of the present requirements set out by German trade fair association AUMA.
'The decision regarding the entry regulation now provides clarity for all of the participants so that they can make further preparations for the trade fair,” commented Fruit Logistica director Kai Mangelberger.
“The aforementioned entry restrictions also open up the opportunity for a normal trade fair experience inside the exhibition halls. As things stand at present, the current regulations will enable the event to be held without any further restrictions being placed on exhibitors and visitors.”
Mangelberger said the new regulations would make the event “safer and more intensive” at the same time.
“Events at the stands will be possible once again and there will also be more stand construction options,” he added. “The core component of Fruit Logistica 2022 will be personal meetings within the international fruit trade industry at the event.”
Tickets will not be sold at the event itself. To enter the exhibition, visitors must buy a personalised ticket in advance from the Fruit Logistica online ticket shop, which is expected to open at the end of November.
Exhibitors from more than 80 countries will be present across Fruit Logistica’s 25 halls, a result the organiser hailed as a success.
“Fruit Logistica will once again represent the entire global value chain of the fruit and vegetable industry,” it added.
