Fruchtwelt Bodensee will take place from February 20 to 22, 2026, at Messe Friedrichshafen, providing an international meeting point for commercial fruit production, agricultural technology, and distilling. Around 350 exhibitors are expected, alongside zones dedicated to farm shops, research, education, and start-ups. A new demonstration area will feature live machinery and equipment displays.
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The program will focus on water management in fruit plantations, agri-photovoltaics, digital tools for farm administration and field operations, crop-protection strategies, and shifts in consumer behaviour.
The event will run in parallel with the 43rd Bodensee Fruit Growing Days. Organisers include Fruit Region Lake Constance, the Lake Constance Fruit-Growing Competence Center, the Lake Constance District Office, the Allgäu-Upper Swabia Farmers' Association, the Lake Constance Fruit Market Association, and the Württemberg Fruit Cooperative. Sessions will address market trends, research updates, and practical guidance for growers.
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One central topic is changing consumer behaviour, including declining apple consumption among younger groups. Representatives from retail, fruit production, marketing, science, and consumer research will discuss the factors influencing demand, including uncertainty about crop-protection practices. Prof. Dr. Andreas von Tiedemann of Georg-August University Göttingen will present an assessment titled "Is chemical crop protection an outdated model?" reviewing the scientific basis for public perceptions and future approaches.
Market developments will also be examined. On Saturday, Ursula Schockemöhle from AMI Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft will outline current trends in the German and European apple sectors, including oversupply, price pressure, and consumer preferences, with a focus on younger demographics.
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Water management under climate stress will form another major theme. The Lake Constance Fruit-Growing Competence Center will present a lecture series on digital irrigation strategies, featuring results from the Interreg VI project "Water Supply for Fruit Growing." Topics will include soil-moisture-sensor systems, modelling tools, irrigation apps, sensor types, and long-term trial findings in pome fruit production. A final session will address irrigation practices in viticulture.
Agri-photovoltaics will be explored on Sunday, with presentations on approval processes, marketing and pricing models for PV systems, and research findings from the regional competence centre.
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Digital tools for farm offices and orchards will form a further component. With digital documentation of crop-protection applications becoming mandatory from January 1, 2026, speakers will discuss digital spray logs and field-recording systems. Other sessions will focus on equipment calibration for specialty crops.
Additional activities include family-oriented programming in Hall B4, distilling-sector exhibits and tastings in Hall B2, and a pre-fair excursion to the Lake Constance Fruit-Growing Competence Center to review trials on rootstocks, training systems, and fruit-wall light optimisation.
© Fruchtwelt Bodensee For more information:
Kerstin Rieger
Fruchtwelt Bodensee
Tel: +49 7541 708-327
Email: [email protected]
www.fruchtwelt-bodensee.de
