Winner of the Innovation Award 2014 is the Eisberg Group from Switzerland with their "BBQ Grill Mix"—a new convenience product for barbecue enthusiasts.

Innovation Award Second Place went to Home Harvest Salads Ltd, UK for their "Oriental Mixed Living Salad."

While most of air cargo that attends events were networking and thinking big thoughts at Air Cargo India in Mumbai, Fruit Logistica in Berlin was doing business like crazy, setting records for innovation and attendance by more than 60,000 as the top transportation and commodity event in Europe in 2014.

It has to start somewhere . . . A dozen or more companies from Pakistan participated in Fruit Logistica-2014, in Berlin, Germany. Exports of fresh produce from Pakistan are targeted as an important step toward building solid trade according to Pakistan Ambassador to Germany Abdul Basit. “Pakistani exporters should give due importance to fruit processing and packaging for longer preservation of perishable products,” Basit said.

     Fruit Logistica 2014 took place from February 5th until February 7th in Berlin, Germany. The general consensus of those who were there, regardless of their role, was it was worth the trip.
     For all stakeholders in the perishable trade—producers, transporters, manufacturers of harvesting equipment and seeds, wholesale or retail sellers, consumers or buyers—interesting and noteworthy news was presented with the multitude of updates and information.
    There was something for everyone.

     Dr. Christian Göke, CEO of Messe Berlin GmbH, which hosted the event, concluded that "the leading global trade fair FRUIT LOGISTICA 2014 can report an increase in the numbers of both exhibitors and trade visitors, thus making it a major catalyst for the fresh produce sector, and the key industry event (for the perishable trade)."
     According to a Messe Berlin press release, “exhibitors and trade visitors consistently praised the presence of sector decision-makers, as well as the excellent contact with fruit and vegetable producers, wholesale and retail traders and import and export providers.”
     Also, 98 percent of trade visitors rated their business results at the trade fair positively.

     So did Fruit Logistica 2014 deliver on their promise to be “A catalyst for the global fresh produce sector”?
     According to surveys taken by Messe Berlin, an overwhelming majority of both exhibitors and trade visitors think the event indeed delivered.
     Over 62,000 visitors from 141 countries attended, above forecast, and a record participation so far.
     The “Future Lab” lecture series were very well received by visitors, and this unique vehicle of presenting a glimpse of the perishable trade industry’s future was something which was felt both new and useful.

     The innovation award 2014 was awarded to the “BBQ GrillMix,” a convenience product of vegetables in an aluminum wrap, ready to be thrown on the grill—something a visitor dubbed as a product “which might even convince Hank Hill to let go of the Pronghorn burger.”
     Second place went to a product called “Oriental Mixed Living Salad,” a combination of coriander, bok choy, mustard, and tatsoi, offered by a UK seller, notably.

     While exhibitors identified their key objectives for attending Fruit Logistica as “presenting their company, strengthening existing customer relations, and developing new business,” more than 90 percent of exhibitors confirmed that “these objectives had been well achieved or even exceeded and that their participation at the trade fair had a positive impact on business.” 44.3 percent of all exhibitors indicated that they had received new orders at the trade fair, and even a whopping 89 percent of exhibitors reported a “positive overall impression of this year's Fruit Logistica.”

     These satisfaction numbers are significant as they actually far exceed numbers of the same metrics taken amongst attendees of events such as the IATA WCS, which despite being one of the top-priority mixers and networking events in air cargo receives a meager 65 percent satisfaction acknowledgement in regard to the tracks and usefulness of information conveyed to attendees.

     These quotes from stakeholders attending the event probably sum it up best:

Oliver Blum, Head of Perishable Team, Lufthansa Cargo:
     "We enjoyed a very successful FRUIT LOGISTICA. The customer contacts established here will have a big impact on post-exhibition business."
Ernst Schulte, Managing Director Germany/Austria, Chiquita:
     "FRUIT LOGISTICA was a resounding success for Chiquita Europe. We are extremely satisfied with our business contacts and the way in which we were able to strengthen existing customer relationships."
Daniel Lücker, International Sales, Boix Europe:
     "We were able to create a good atmosphere for discussions here at FRUIT LOGISTICA. This had a positive impact. Our customers felt very comfortable, and we will now be writing a lot of offers. Packing machines are not items people buy just like that at an exhibition."

      These three statements from very different stakeholders certainly underline that Fruit Logistica 2014 was worth attending; it’s likely the best one can say about such an event and probably the only statement which truly counts.
Jens