UK numbers at Fruit Logistica will increase again in 2006, as the annual Berlin show cements its position as the stand-out date in the international calendar.
There will be 25 UK-based exhibitors at the event, at Messe Berlin from February 2-4, an expansion of 66 per cent on last year. In terms of floor area, however, the profile has substantially increased - those 25 exhibitors will take up 130 per cent more area than the UK industry covered in 2005.
Sainsbury’s is the first of the UK retail giants to take the plunge and has a large stand in Hall 3. Category manager for fruit, Marcus Hoggarth, told FPJ: “This is a good opportunity for us to present a revitalised Sainsbury’s to the industry, to spend some important time meeting our suppliers from around the world and draw up solid plans for the next few months.”
Visitor numbers are expected to rise too. Although Gerald Lamusse, Fruit Logistica project manager at Messe Berlin, expects the UK to represent around 5.5 per cent of overall visitor numbers, totalling more than 30,000, a similar proportion to previous events, this is against the background of a significant global increase.
Fruit Logistica is the biggest fresh produce dedicated exhibition in the world. “I also like to think that, more importantly we’re the leading event world-wide,” said Lamusse. “There has been a lot of interest from the UK, particularly from the retail and wholesale sectors. I think it is mainly down to word of mouth - people have gone back to their companies and advised others that they have to be at our show. The large retailers, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Waitrose have had a presence in recent years, and if they are there, then there is a natural pull on their suppliers to be there too.
“We have also done a lot of work in the UK, including being a sponsor of the Re:fresh Conference for the last two years, which has certainly heightened the awareness of Fruit Logistica.” UK representative Chris Brown added that a number of UK companies were unable to secure stand-space at the sold-out exhibition this year, leading Messe Berlin to expect an even bigger take-up from these shores in 2007.
He told FPJ that a strong turnout from the UK, and particularly the first exhibition stand for a UK retailer, adds something to the event. “The effect that the UK visitors have on the event is over-proportional. Certainly, the UK is seen as a very important market and the presence of so many sales organisations adds a new dimension to not only their businesses, but to the event itself. UK suppliers have been very proactive in using Fruit Logistica as a bridge between growers from around the world and their retail customers.”
The final exhibitor list will include 1,580 individual stands, a hike of 15 per cent on last year, while area is up by 24 per cent, to just over 60,000sqm.
The FPJ also has a stand at Fruit Logistica 2006. We look forward to seeing you all there, in hall 03.1, at booth B-01.
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