contents

europe
 
80th Green Week: International agribusiness provides the focus for 1,658 exhibitors from 68 countries

The most traditional and best-attended of all the trade fairs taking place in Berlin is celebrating a significant anniversary. Now taking place for the 80th time, from 16 to 25 January 2015 the International Green Week Berlin (IGW) reinforces its standing as the world's largest exhibition for agriculture, the food industry and horticulture. No other trade fair of any kind, attracting hundreds of thousands of consumers, has been held as many times as the Green Week. Occupying a hall area of some 130,000 square metres, this is the largest Green Week ever held (2014: 124,000 m²). With a total of 1, 658 exhibitors from 68 countries (2014: 1,650 /69) the IGW 2015 is attracting the largest number of exhibitors for 44 years, and just under 40 per cent of them are from abroad.

This year's partner country is Latvia which has been taking part in the Green Week since 1992. During the first six months of 2015 Latvia will take over the presidency of the Council of the European Union. Also at the fair, around 500 food industry companies from Germany will be hosting the largest display of authentic and local specialities from the individual federal States, including food items and luxury foods, that can be found at any exhibition.

The programme of conference events will focus in particular on the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture 2015 (GFFA), which takes place from 15 to 17 January. Around 70 ministers of agriculture, deputy ministers and high-ranking members of the food and farming industries are expected to attend. Federal Minister of Agriculture Christian Schmidt and President of Latvia Andris Bērziņš will open the Green Week in the CityCube Berlin on 15 January at 6 p.m.

Important facts and figures
The following impressive list of facts and figures is proof of how big the Green Week has become.
• The Greeen Week 2015 will be taking place in 26 hall complexes at Berlin ExpoCenter City surrounding the Berlin Radio Tower. All available space is booked up.
• Messe Berlin expects more than 400,000 visitors to attend, of whom 100,000 will be trade visitors.
• Over 2,000 coaches from all parts of Germany will be bringing a large number of these visitors to Berlin.
• During the fair around 300 conferences and seminars attended by experts will be taking place.
• Some 150 high-ranking politicians from Germany and abroad, along with their delegations, have announced their participation.
• Around 5,000 journalists from 70 countries representing all parts of the media will be reporting on events in Berlin.
• Inside the fair halls around 25 stages and cookery studios will guarantee entertainment and information in equal measure.
• Around 100,000 culinary specialities from all parts of the world will be on offer at the fair.
• More than 10,000 animals and pets (including bees and ornamental fish) will be on display at the fair.
• Inside the International Floral Hall there will be 37, 000 flowers and flowering spring plants to warm the heart of every gardening enthusiast in this period of dark winter months.
• Every day an average of 10,000 people (stand employees, service employees, media representatives, artists and music bands) will be working at the fair.
• Spending by out-of-town visitors and exhibitors during the Green Week will boost purchasing power in the Berlin/ Brandenburg region by 150 million euros.

The 80th edition of the Green Week can look back on a past spanning 89 years. Originally a mere local product market when it debuted in 1926, it has now become the world's largest consumer show for agriculture, food and horticulture. Since that year, more than 83, 000 exhibitors from 128 countries have presented their wide-ranging products from around the world to over 31.7 million trade visitors and to the general public. The International Green Week Berlin 2015 is organised by Messe Berlin GmbH. Its non-commercial sponsors are the German Farmers' Union (DBV) and the Federal Association of the German Food Industry (BVE).

7th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture 2015 (GFFA)
Its slogan is ‘The growing demand for food, energy and raw materials: opportunities for agriculture and a challenge to food security?’. The organiser of the event is the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Based on the assumption of the need for food security, the aim will be to highlight the opportunities, prospects and challenges that biobased agriculture offers and to present ideas for sustainable, resource-saving and climate-friendly farming in the future.
During the GFFA the 7th Berlin Agriculture Ministers' Summit will be taking place, which is now the largest conference of its kind. On 17 January 2015, high-ranking representatives from around the world will gather in the ’Weltsaal’ room of the German Foreign Office to discuss a joint policy-making approach to aspects of the biobased economy. The agriculture ministers’ decisions will be taken into account in international political processes such as the G7 and G20 conferences and in meetings of the United Nations. Also on 17 January, at Messe Berlin’s new CityCube, the International GFFA Panel will gather senior figures from politics, business, science and society who will also be examining the topics discussed by the agriculture ministers. The debate will focus on how to exploit the opportunities offered by the biobased economy, how to prioritise food security demands, as well as on sustainable production.
At the same time companies, investors and associations can present their food security projects at a Joint Venture Exchange. On 15 and 16 January expert panels hosted by various organisers and open to the public will be held in the CityCube Berlin. On Friday afternoon, as at previous GFFA events, the BMEL will be extending an invitation to attend its international working sessions, which this year will be supervised by the World Food Organization (FAO) and the World Bank. Their purpose is to discuss topics in depth and as in 2014 to work out recommendations advising the Berlin Agriculture Ministers' Summit. On 17 January 2015, parallel with the Berlin Agriculture Ministers' Summit, GFFA Berlin e.V. will be organising a high-level International Business Panel at Deutsche Telekom's representation in the German capital.

Global food industry
The Green Week provides an overview of food industry products from markets around the world. This year, a total of 68 countries from all over the world, including Germany, are presenting their specialities at this event.

Exhibitors from around the world at the Product Market ‘Herbs/Spices/Tea’ include a wide range of teas in their displays.
Everyone who visits Hall 6.2b at the Green Week will be able to find their own favourite aromas. The exhibitors will be happy to explain how the cultivation area, climate, the nature of the soils, site, harvesting time and processing affect the quality and the aroma of the tea. There is plenty to interest professional and amateur cooks alike when they sample the aromas of the countless bags and pots containing selected spices. The exhibits include Iranian saffron, which is one of the world’s most expensive spices, masala rock candy from the Ganges delta, argan oil, various manually produced salts such as blue sapphire salt, grey salt, volcanic salt and many others.

Presenting the achievements of agriculture
‘A responsible attitude to use and protection’ is the slogan of one of the biggest attractions for the general public at the Green Week, which extends an invitation to sample the Farm Experience in Hall 3.2. More than 60 partners are providing practical insights into the many and varied achievements of agriculture and the food industry and associated sectors. Every day safe foodstuffs, energy and raw materials of the highest quality are being produced in Germany. The exhibition is divided into six sections, showing visitors how this is achieved, and the added value chains that make it all possible. There is plenty to fascinate, inform and surprise young and old alike, who can also learn about the way that agriculture meets its responsibilities towards people, animals and the environment. It also offers opportunities for a dialogue with the people responsible for agricultural produce and foodstuffs.
The open design of the Livestock Hall, No. 25, enables visitors to view the finest examples of horse breeding, Uckermark cattle, sports ponies, goats, sheep, pigs, alpacas, water buffalo, Highland cattle and an aurochs, as well as some fascinating demonstrations and competitions, in stadium-like surroundings. The elevated position of the restaurant in the visitor centre provides a fine view of the presentations, while enjoying the tasty food available there. All these features ensure that the Livestock Hall is a major attraction for trade visitors and the general public alike. Three times each day, starting on19 January, the Livestock Hall will be offering a colourful programme of displays and presentations of various breeds. From 16 to 18 January some 90 stallions will be competing for the title of national champion at the 4th FN National Stallion Show for Sport Ponies. Prizes will be awarded for the finest examples from the newest breed of beef cattle in Germany on 22 and 23 January during the 4th National Uckermärker Show. The German karakul sheep has been chosen as the Endangered Domestic Breed of the Year for 2015. Eight brood ewes and one dozen lambs from this breed can be seen in the Livestock Hall. The ninth staging of the Berlin-Brandenburg Indoor Carriage Driving Cup competition also takes place on 24 and 25 January at the Green Week.
The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) is making preparations for an especially informative and entertaining special show in Hall 23a. Taking as its



write your comments about the article :: © 2015 Exhibition News :: home page