The Chilean industry is preparing for its biggest ever presence at Fruit Logistica as part of its special role as Official Partner Country 2009.
Chilean exporters, trade organisations and state departments are busy finalising exhibits and events to showcase the country and its produce sector at the three-day exhibition.
To keep the industry abreast of what’s planned, Chile has launched a special website - www.chilefruitlogistica.com - which will be updated regularly over the coming weeks with pre-show news and information.
A new stand, prepared especially for the February 4-6 show in Berlin, will be the hub of all Chilean activity where visitors can conduct business meetings or simply enjoy samples of local produce.
Stand visitors can also peruse a traditional Chilean food “emporium” stocked with a cross section of the country’s products, from wine and olive oil to salmon and fruit.
Fedefruta President Rodrigo Echeverría added: “The European market is evolving, offering our growers new windows of opportunity. This obviously presents new challenges, too, but our industry is robust and flexible, strengths which we believe Europe appreciates and strengths which we will highlight over the three days.”
Chilean Minister of Agriculture Marigen Hornkohl is heading the Chilean delegation, while trade development agency ProChile and the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA), a non-profit organisation formed by the Chilean Exporters Association (ASOEX) and growers’ trade federation Fedefruta, are the coordinators.
“We want to showcase the best we have, not just in terms of fresh fruit but also our environment and landscapes, climate, friendly people and enterprising spirit,” enthused Alicia Frohmann, the Director of ProChile.
The Chilean delegation will comprise around 100 people, among them growers and exporters either currently exporting, or looking to export, fresh fruit to Europe; food manufacturers; agronomists; and diplomatic and marketing personnel.
“For us this show is an extremely important opportunity to remind Europe and the world that Chile is a reliable strategic fresh produce supply partner, a country that is developing its food industry steadily and in accordance with the quality and environmental standards that global markets require,” declared ASOEX Chairman Ronald Bown.
Minister Hornkohl will be among the speakers at the opening ceremony, which starts at 6pm on February 3 at the ICC Berlin conference centre. This will be followed by a colourful Chilean-themed reception.
The South Americans will host a main hall forum titled “Chile - A Partner with Tradition and Vision” at which visitors can find out about the foundations on which the fruit industry is built and where it is heading.
The show comes at an exciting time for Chilean exporters. In 2007-2008 Chilean fresh fruit shipments to Europe grew by 14 per cent from 712,715 to 814,588 tonnes, putting Europe on par for the first time with traditional export market to the US.
Chile was the first South American country to be represented at the international trade fair for fruit and vegetable marketing, and has taken part since 1997 when it debuted with a delegation of just three: two trade promotion personnel and a representative of an export company.
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