On 16 and 17 November 2016, both the 21st European asparagus and strawberry fair, expoSE, and the 6th exhibition for direct sales of agricultural products, expoDirekt, will be visited by approximately 6,000 visitors from all over the world. More than 400 national and international exhibitors will present their latest products and services at this combined European fair in the Messe Karlsruhe.
“These two intense exhibition days are an important meeting point for trade, and are a perfect platform for contacts in that field. The interest of German and international visitors and exhibitors in these two fairs increases every year,” explains Simon Schumacher, organiser and manager of the union of South German asparagus and strawberry cultivators (VSSE).
At 10 o’clock on 16 November the fair will be officially opened by Minister of State Friedlinde Gurr-Hirsch of the Ministry of Agriculture in Baden-Württemberg and by important representatives of the asparagus and berry sector from all over Germany. Subsequently, the VSSE will reward the six most innovative companies in this industry with the Innovation Award 2016. Visitors to the fair will receive the results from recent research, education and practice on the first day of the fair, during the asparagus day (Spargeltag), and during the second day at the forum of direct sales (Direktvermarkterforum).
The extreme weather conditions of the previous season mean cultivators in large parts of Europe face exceptional challenges. Simon Schumacher: “The trend towards specialisation in cultivation is a result of the experiences with heavy rain and periods with either extremely low or extremely high temperatures which have accelerated in 2016. Many companies are considering investing in cultivation advancement or additional measures in order to protect crops. However, lowering labour costs through mechanisation and digitalisation is an important factor.”