Fruchtwelt Bodensee brings farmers, fruit growers and distillers together

While the interests and tastes of farmers, fruit growers and distillers are certainly diverse, one event will bring them all together and take visitors along: the international trade fair Fruchtwelt Bodensee. From February 19 to 21, 2016, the spotlight will be on the important questions that Europe’s fruit-growing and agricultural sector are facing, including political, practical and professional issues. The effects of the Russian embargo, the challenges of crop protection and recent experiences with Germany’s minimum wage laws are just some of the topics on the 37th Lake Constance Fruit Cultivation Days. A lecture series on the spotted-wing drosophila and on farm shops are scheduled too. Seminars to stimulate the spirits are organized for distillers. The entire program of lectures and seminars (in German only) is available at the Fruchtwelt Bodensee website. The organizers are expecting over 340 exhibitors, and are looking forward to welcoming many new vendors and visitors.

"In 2016, the trade fair covers an area of 28,000 sq. meters (300,000 sq. feet) in four exhibition halls, as well as both foyers and conference centers. Besides the regular participants who’ve contributed to the quality of Fruchtwelt Bodensee for many years, we’ve managed to add many new exhibitors from various fields,” states Show Director Petra Rathgeber. For example, HVA Koeling cooling technology company from Belgium, Krodes anti-hail protection systems from the Czech Republic and the crop protection specialist Hardi from Wedemark will be coming to Fruchtwelt Bodensee for the first time. Other new participants include Zanon, as one of the leading agricultural machinery manufacturers, and Merlo telescoping ladders from Bremen. The trade fair also welcomes the debuts of Switzerland’s Silent AG compact tractors and machinery center, and Josef Ley, an importer-distributor and wholesaler for European manufacturers of trailers and farm equipment.

For professionals, the trade fair highlight will be the 37th Lake Constance Fruit Cultivation Days. The opening day is dedicated to agricultural politics and the question of staying competitive in global markets. It will begin with a welcoming address from Alexander Bonde, Minister of Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection for the State of Baden-Württemburg, whose topics will include the potentials of organic fruit growing as well as the state government’s newly launched consultancy services for agriculturalists. After that is a talk by Jens Stechmann, Chairman of the German Fruit and Vegetable Commission (BOG), who will touch upon some of the profession’s central concerns, such as efforts to promote German fruit and vegetables, the National Action Plan for the sustainable use of plant protection products, and the certification of insecticides. Meanwhile, Helwig Schwartau from Hamburg’s Agricultural Market Information Company (AMI) will turn our attentions to global developments in the apple market, with a presentation on "Apple Trade Flows During the Russian Embargo.” As an expert in fruit marketing, he will discuss not only the market developments of today, but the routes and possibilities of tomorrow.

The challenges of crop protection are examined in two dedicated lectures, one by Arno Fried, Departmental Head of the Interdistrict Special Crops Consultancy of the Bruchsal Agricultural Office, and another by Dr. Christian Scheer, Crop Protection Advisor for Fruit Growing at the Lake Constance District Office.

Throughout the weekend, a lecture series on farm shops will shed light on diverse aspects. For instance, novice and existing operators will learn about the foodstuff regulations that apply to farm shops as well as the latest changes to foodstuff labeling guidelines for farm-gate sales. Furthermore, examples of farm shop ideas will be presented, support programs and governmental subsidies will be introduced, and taxation questions in terms of direct-to-consumer marketing will be addressed. In addition, the Lake Constance Rural Vendor Association will look at the benefits of cooperation and networking in terms of direct marketing.

On the trade fair Sunday, a symposium will tackle the spotted-wing drosophila. Speakers from various international institutions will be there to discuss this pest, for which relatively few control strategies are known to exist. Presenters will explore questions about its spread, examine financial losses from a market perspective and recount experiences on the use of fine netting.

Two presentations will revolve around different aspects of Germany’s new minimum wage laws. Hubert Hengge, Director of Maschinenring Tettnang (a farmers’ cooperative association), will look at the experiences of the past year. Meanwhile, Nicole Spiess, Social Policy Advisor at the Baden-Württemberg State Farmers’ Association will explain the relevant legislative changes for 2016.

The seminars and lectures will also stimulate the distillers: Dr. Hermann Kolesch, President of the Bavarian Regional Office for Viticulture and Horticulture, will look at trends and developments in the spirits market. Dr. Günter Röhrig will discuss the use of wooden storage barrels for fruit brandies, and distillery consultant Dr. Klaus Hagmann will offer a "Practical Seminar on Liqueur”. These seminars both have an additional admission fee, download the registration form on our website. Distillers can also learn about the legalities of operating an online shop, in a lecture given by Gerald Erdrich, Managing Director of the German Association of Small and Fruit Distilleries.

 

Fruchtwelt Bodensee is open from February 19 to 21, 2016: Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A day pass costs 11 euros.