After the inevitable break from the trade show last year, Fruit Logistica will take place this year as usual, albeit in April instead of February. We spoke to exhibitors about their presence or absence and expectations for the trade show date.
'We'll let ourselves be surprised'
André Oehen from Bachmann AG is already looking forward to the upcoming presence event: "We actually wanted to exhibit at IPM in Essen as well, but unfortunately this didn't work out in the end. We used the last Fruit Logistica in 2020 as a trial and due to the great response we decided to have a larger stand area this time. We have found that the trade fair is an important industry platform, especially in times of Corona. Accordingly, we already expect a lot, but we'll let ourselves be surprised."
André Oehen of Bachmann AG at Fruit Logistica 2020.
'Unfortunate date with regard to Southern Europe'
Franz Sroka, 
managing director of Srotec Ltd, will again share a booth with his colleagues from Dutch partner Brimapack, as usual. "We already have to reckon with about 40 percent fewer visitors compared to the last attendance event in 2020, meanwhile the quality of conversations seemed to increase in times of Corona. Everyone has also been eagerly waiting for such face-to-face events, although the trade fair date in spring, especially in view of the southern European season in Italy and Spain, is rather unfortunate from my point of view."
'Sensing business opportunities and trends'
As a well-known fruit wholesaler in Luxembourg, Goy Grosbusch will also be present at the Grand Duchy's joint stand this year. "We have already been to Fruit Attraction in Madrid and noticed again how important the social contacts and exchanges on site are. At an international trade fair like Fruit Logistica, not only do face-to-face discussions take place, but you also sense business opportunities and current trends. Our industry more or less thrives on these events."
'Meeting the industry'
Berries ZA operations manager Elzette Schutte is looking forward to the upcoming world's leading trade show. "We look forward to meeting the industry at Fruit Logistica in April and continuing last season's achievements in 2022-23," Schutte concluded. "The demand in the German market is excellent and we hope to continue to expand our cooperation in the coming years."
'Less traffic'
Normally, Southern 
German producers' cooperative Reichenau eG mans an eye-catching joint stand together with the three cooperatives in Baden. This year, however, for the first time they will only be present as trade visitors, reports Christian Müller (far right in picture), deputy managing director of Reichenau eG. "Nevertheless, the trade fair is indispensable for us, as many representatives of the food retail industry as well as packaging suppliers are on site. Given the current situation, however, there will tend to be less public traffic."
'Profitability too uncertain'
Ecomark Ltd, the driving force behind the novel labeling technology 'Natural Branding', will also refrain from having its own booth for the first time this year. "The cost of a booth at an international event like Fruit Logistica is relatively high. Meanwhile, the number of visitors will be rather low compared to other years. Therefore, the profitability of participating is too uncertain, which is why we have refrained from participating as an exhibitor," Julius Klopp (right in the picture) reported when asked. On the occasion of the new cooperation with an Italian partner, the Ecomark team will participate in Macfrut later in the year.
'Both too early and too late'
The Austrian pome fruit sector - meaning OPST, Vom Herzen Bio, Amade Fruit and EVA - will be represented as usual on a joint stand. "For us, Berlin is the second trade fair date after Fruit Attraction since the Corona pandemic," Roland Rosenzopf (left in the picture) managing director of EVA Ltd explains. "Although we are looking forward to the renewed presence event take place, the event date is unfortunately not optimal for us. Normally, we would have negotiated the programs for the second half of the season in February. This year, the show is too late for the current season and too early for the new season."
'Quality of visitors very high at pandemic times'
For Eco-
Retail Ltd, supplier of innovative presentation displays and store concepts, Fruit Logistica will also be the first major trade show event. "We have already been to a few smaller packaging trade fairs and found there that while visitor numbers were lower, the quality of the audience present tended to be high. Although several well-known producer cooperatives and companies from Germany have decided not to have a stand, we are hoping for pleasing visitor numbers and a good atmosphere in Hall 21, where we will have a stand, similar to previous years," Sales Manager Jürgen van Herp (right in picture) reports.
'Trade show in the shadow of the global crises'
After the trade fair break in 2021, the Gemüsering Stuttgart Ltd team is looking forward to the exchange with customers and partners. "The current situation in the world unfortunately casts a dark shadow over it all. At the same time, it also creates great uncertainty in many areas of production and supply chain. It is precisely these challenges that require strong teams," a company spokeswoman reported.
'Face-to-face event essential for live demos'
As for the trade show, the Pixofarm Ltd team is eager to see customers and prospects on site again. "At Fruit Logistica, we will exhibit together with UPL/NPP and provide deeper insights into our app and its benefits. In addition to exciting discussions and demonstrations, we now finally have the opportunity to show off our app again," they say, referring to the added value of a presence event.
'Completely open-minded'
As an exhibitor from the very beginning, GROW Verein für umweltfreundliche Holzverpackungen e.V. was not on site in Berlin for the first time last year. The Maxdorf-based company has also been rather reluctant to exhibit at previous trade fairs due to the high risk of contagion, as Managing Director Uwe Groll (pictured right) tells us. "I'm going to the trade fair with a completely open mind and will simply be pleasantly surprised. Together with colleagues from all over Europe, we will be represented on a joint stand of the Spanish timber association Fedemco." Similar to many industry colleagues, Groll points to the 'unfortunate' date of the show. "The original event date in February was much better for us."
