This year's edition of the expoSE/expoDirekt trade show duo will be remembered as a success. On both the first and second day, visitor numbers were pleasing and roughly at pre-Corona levels. Regarding the number of exhibitors, the shows were particularly successful as well: over 400 exhibitors were at the Karlsruhe Exhibition Center this year.
You will find the photo report here.
As is well known, there is plenty to talk about and discuss at the moment. The omnipresent cost increases are causing particular problems for asparagus and berry producers both at home and abroad. Despite all the challenges, they are generally looking ahead with confidence, and the industry is again characterized by a certain willingness to invest after two tough pandemic years. Meanwhile, certain additional costs that the sector will face in the coming year are currently still unpredictable and, accordingly, cannot be precisely quantified until January 1, 2023. In this respect, the uncertainty is likely to continue in 2023. The key question is also: Will the trade meet the producer halfway, or how loyal will they be to the German product in terms of marketing?
Exhibitors on site were satisfied not only with visitor numbers but also with the quality of discussions and the response outside the DACH region and the Benelux countries. Even after two years of Covid, interest from the Mediterranean and Eastern European growing countries continues unabated, they concluded.
Automation and sustainability
Last but not least, the topics of automation and sustainable product packaging are also on everyone's lips. At this year's expoSE, numerous packaging innovations will once again be presented, primarily made of cardboard, paper, and board. Furthermore, biodegradable and/or reusable plastic solutions continue to be well-received by the industry. In addition, the soft fruit market also seems to be increasingly receptive to larger packs (750g-1 kg) instead of small grammages (125-250 g).