This trend towards freshness seems to have been employed by an increasing number of companies at the trade show. It is also evident in deep frozen products. They are trying to improve their image. "Freshly frozen is a better term than deep frozen. It adds a different impression. Retailers are also stressing this", explains Nadja Meulemans of Greenyard Frozen. "There is virtually no difference between raw, and frozen fruit and vegetables". Real fresh products were found at companies who specialise in packaging. They wanted to showcase how their products can contribute to an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption.
One striking trend: Vegetable chips have long been recognised as being innovative. Now lentil and hummus chips, and onion and seaweed crackers have also been developed.
The majority of the 2,500 exhibitors deal in (processed) food stuffs and more than 70 countries were represented. The PLMA was bigger than ever and was very well attended with an estimated number of visitors of between 13,000 and 14,000.