At the Bockerode estate in Springe-Mittelrode (Lower Saxony), the German Agricultural Society (DLG) has inaugurated international potato fair PotatoEurope 2022. From September 7 to 8, 2022, it will be the meeting place for potato growers, processors and marketers from Germany and abroad. More than 250 exhibitors from 15 countries from the fields of breeding, fertilization, crop protection, agricultural technology and processing will present their offerings. According to the organization, 8,000 visitors from 65 countries attended the event.
This year, the international open-air trade fair is being organized by DLG together with the Union of the German Potato Industry (UNIKA), technology partner CASE IH and the Lower Saxony Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection.
During the opening tour, Lower Saxony's Minister of Agriculture Barbara Otte-Kinast explained: "This trade fair shows what high-performance potato cultivation can look like if climate, water and species protection are taken into consideration. As the number one potato state, Lower Saxony is living up to its pioneering role. In our state, solutions are developed with practical experience that are both economical and sustainable."
"The current drought and an expected low overall harvest are highlighting the importance of a reliable supply of high-quality potatoes," said Martin Umhau, DLG Supervisory Board member. For Umhau, PotatoEurope is the number one event to showcase the latest technological developments regarding potato production for the entire value chain. In particular, PotatoEurope shows farmer perspectives and adaptation strategies for future cultivation and marketing.
Exhibitors were largely satisfied. They said visitor numbers had been encouraging, especially in the central exhibition tent. Furthermore, the interest from abroad - which also included participants from outside Europe - has been amazing.
"Although the fair is not being held in the French-speaking area this year, there are many interested parties from this region as well. In addition to this, we have already had several interested parties from Australia and the USA, a sign that the fair is gaining in importance in the international arena," said one exhibitor.
Other colleagues on site shared his opinion: "Compared to other post-Covid fairs, the volume of visitors is already impressive. The same applies to the quality of the discussions at the booths."
For the photo report of the Belgian and Dutch stands, please click here.
For the photo report of the German stands, please click here.