Events

Green Week 2008 presents agriculture and food as the industries of the future

Russia conducted business worth more than 330 million euros

As the International Green Week Berlin 2008 drew to a close there were very positive assessments by the numerous representatives of business and politics, and also by exhibitors and the public. Agriculture and the food sector were on display here as the industries of the future from 18 to 27 January. The main focus of the exhibition was on food supplies and the quality and safety of foodstuffs, against a background of optimism on the part of the industry. Some 300 conferences were also held, at which experts from the entire agricultural sector discussed these topics in a context that is acquiring an increasingly global dimension.

The Green Week reveals every aspect of the entire value-added chain, for the benefit of its trade visitors and the public alike. The specialist shows nature.tec and Multitalented Wood, dealing with subjects that will be of increasing importance in the future – bio-energy and renewable raw materials – attracted widespread attention among experts and members of the public. By the close of the fair Russia in particular had announced extensive business successes with a total value of 330 million euros. As a result of other contacts established during this event this figure could eventually rise to 450 million euros, according to an estimate by Sergey Selivanow, Deputy Director of the trade show company Agriculture Sector of VVC Ltd.

Summing up, Dr. Christian Göke, Chief Operating Officer of Messe Berlin GmbH said: “Visitors this year are more willing to buy, compared with last year, and spent a total of 44 million euros (2007: 40 mi. €). At around 425,000 (2007: 427,000), attendance was at much the same level as it was last year, but included many more trade visitors, especially from the food industry (2008: 110,000 trade visitors, 2007: 100.000). To an unprecedented extent the Green Week 2008 has succeeded in presenting every stage in the value added chain.

The Green Week has proved to be an attraction for the general public, not only as the world’s largest consumer show for agriculture, food and horticulture, but also as a memorable experience for its many visitors. In addition to the visitors, an average of some 12,000 other persons who were involved in the event, such as exhibitors and stand personnel and service staff, along with media representatives, were in the halls each day. The Green Week recorded the largest attendance by leading domestic and international politicians in its history, over 200 in all. Worldwide coverage was provided by 5,000 media representatives from 70 countries.

The retail food trade and brand names continue to make increasing use of the Green Week as a platform for direct contacts with consumers. The REWE Group as well as such leading names from the food industry as Abraham Schinken, Coca-Cola, Ferrero, Intersnack, Kraft Foods, Kühne, Nestlé and associations representing the mineral water sector and the poultry industry staged their largest-ever displays under the umbrella of the BVE/BLL. With 1,610 exhibitors from 52 countries and a display area measuring 115,000 square metres the Green Week maintains a stable position, at a high level.