Chile, the biggest exporter of fresh produce from the southern hemisphere, has been officially unveiled as the Fruit Logistica 2009 partner country.
The South American state was initially announced as the partner country at a reception during this year’s event, in Berlin in February, and has now announced plans for a comprehensive trade fair appearance and provision of the “cultural and gastronomic framework” for the reception following the opening ceremony.
Speaking at the contract signing ceremony in Berlin, Marigén Hornkohl, Chilean minister of agriculture, emphasised the significance of the trade fair: “This is an important day for our country. Fruit Logistica is regarded as the world’s leading event for the fresh produce industry,” he said. The minister earmarked the event as an excellent opportunity for Chile to further strengthen business relations with Europe.
Raimund Hosch, ceo of Fruit Logistica organiser Messe Berlin, said: “We have a special relationship with Chile and plan to do everything we can to ensure the country’s presence at Fruit Logistica attracts as much attention as possible. When it comes to agricultural goods, it is important to ensure that the healthiest, and not the cheapest, products reach the consumer’s table. And in this respect, Chile produces top-quality fruit and vegetables.”
Europe is the second largest destination market for Chile’s fresh produce, with 716,504 tonnes of fruit and vegetables exported to European nations in the 2006/2007 season. The fresh produce trade is one of the country’s most profitable export sectors, and has undergone exponential growth in the last three decades. In 1980, export volume was around 267,000t, but by 2003, the two-million tonne mark had been reached for the first time.
Fruit Logistica 2008 attracted some 50,000 trade visitors from 125 countries to the biggest trade event for the international fresh produce industry. In an area covering 81,000 square metres of indoor space, 2,115 exhibitors presented a comprehensive market overview of products and services from all levels of the fresh produce trade.
The 17th edition of Fruit Logistica will take place from February 4-6, 2009 at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds.
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