Product packaging, commercialisation and insurance policies were also highlighted, but they were secondary. And the Managing Board of Messe Friedrichshafen also drew a positive balance after three days: "Despite the difficult economic situation, many fruit growers have sought an exchange of ideas here in order to find solutions for themselves and to view the future with a positive outlook," said Klaus Wellmann, Managing Director of Messe Friedrichshafen.
Today's inventories in the fruit stores are significantly lower than to previous years, as is highlighted by the figures and the facts. Because of the late frost in April, the southwestern fruit farmers in particular are affected by crop failures and losses. At present, the stored batches amount to 15,000 tons compared to the average of 60,000 tons from recent years, according to the current estimates of marketing company Obst vom Bodensee. Furthermore, the total yield in 2017, with 85,000 tonnes of apples, is at its lowest level in over 20 years, down 70 percent from the previous year. The company emphasizes that from the end of April or the beginning of May there will probably be no longer any stored lots originating from the Lake Constance region, so that the marketers will have to resort to overseas goods or apples from other growing areas in Germany.
Nonetheless, the mood among the exhibitors present and the trade visitors at the Friedrichshafen Exhibition Center was outstanding. Above all, the striking presentations of the breeders and nurseries from South Tyrol and the Lake Constance region showed a great passion in the breeding and interbreeding of new fruit varieties. like the Ladina and Rubelit apples. In addition, there were also a variety of protection solutions such as hail protection nets and foils, as well as many exhibitions regarding cooling technology, storage and heating technology.
Manufacturers of juice presses and processing and sorting equipment also encountered great enthusiasm from trade visitors in Friedrichshafen. Although the majority of exhibitors came from German-speaking countries (Germany, Switzerland, Austria and South Tyrol), there was also a small proportion of foreign experts from the Netherlands, Poland, Hungary and Belgium.
Satisfaction
Eugen Setz, Managing Director of Obst vom Bodensee Marketinggesellschaft, also expressed his satisfaction: "The Fruchtwelt Bodensee has really arrived in Europe. Numerous visitors from other European countries, including representatives from South Tyrol, Luxembourg and Switzerland, came to our communication stand. We learned that the quality of the exhibitors in the field of services and technology is regarded as very high and that the fair is considered to be outstanding We have managed to raise awareness of the benefits of the cooperative marketing concept: working as a community is the best way to achieve good economic development in fruit cultivation.”
Dr. Manfred Büchele, Managing Director of the Competence Center "Obstbau-Bodensee" emphasizes: "The Fruchtwelt Bodensee is a fine, interesting trade fair where you can get all the production equipment you might need. It was very pleasing to hear that the nation is helping the farmers, which certainly helped to create a poisitve amosphere on the fair. At the stand, we had a lot of visitors, the atmosphere was moderately positive. Scientifically spoken, there is a growing awareness that the same challenges have to be faced all over the lake region and that practical projects have to be tackled together and across borders.”
Opinions of other exhibitors
Bert Voskuilen, sales contact at Hillebrand BV Baumschule, The Netherlands: "Our expectations have all been confirmed, we have made some good connections and we have received inquiries for this year as well as for the coming season." The fair was very positive for us. Fruchwelt Bodensee gives us the opportunity for direct advertising.You know the people, you can exchange ideas and everything is very intimate." Emil Walser, customer adviser Waldis Swiss from Switzerland, was able to meet many of his compatriots and explained: "For us, Fruchtwelt Bodensee is a priority and we are satisfied with our progress. It is an ideal platform for us, as the fair appeals to the clientele who buy our irrigation and farming systems. Many customers came to us and there have been some good discussions." On the ‘My farm shop’ event , Ester Payer, sales representative of Stuwer Automaten, was enthusiastic: "We are all very happy and overwhelmed by the interest of our customers and visitors. This year we were for the first time at Fruchtwelt Bodensee; we are very satisfied and will definitely come back again.”
Claudia Metzler, chairman of the Association of Fruit Distillers of Southern Württemberg/Hohenzollern, commented: "Fruchtwelt Bodensee is a great meeting point for distillers of the German-speaking areas, where dealers and manufacturers of all leading brands in the distillery sector are represented, which also attracts visitors from further afield. Our stand was well sought after and we were able to make many new contacts. We were pleasantly surprised by the good attendance of our seminars and lectures."
The next international specialist summit for fruit growers, farmers and distillers on Lake Constance will take place from 14 to 16 February 2020 in Friedrichshafen. More information at: www.fruchtwelt-bodensee.de