Each February, the largest produce-oriented trade show in the world, Fruitlogistica, is held in Berlin. This year marked the 16th Fruitlogistica where USA Pears had a booth presence.

The show expands each year, and with 2,452 exhibitors from 84 countries, it is easy to get lost in the pack. Although we have always exhibited in the USA Pavilion, this year, for the first time, we expanded our presence and footprint in the pavilion by sharing a booth with several USA produce groups, in including Washington Apples.

This shared presence provided us with a more open and larger space fitting in with the concepts that many other country exhibitors have. In addition to showing off our pears and apples, many sales organizations used our booth as a meeting point. We also had three private meeting rooms that sales organizations could use to conduct their business.

With more than 56,000 trade visitors, this show is a great opportunity for us to see many of our curent customers all in one place. In addition, with visitors from 132 countries attending the event, we always meet new potential customers and importers for our pears. We generally see our import contacts and retailers from the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands, but also from many other countries, such as Russia, India, the Middle East, and even Brazil, Mexico, and Central America. It is truly the show to attend for international produce business.

Trade shows in general can be an excellent place to see many current customers in one place and in a short period of time. In addition, new contacts can be made, and we pass along those contacts to the sales desks. Trade shows are also a great place to see what is new in terms of products, packaging, and promotions. It is always important to stay up-to-date on what is new in the world of produce.

The next trade shows coming up include ANTAD in Guadalajara, Mexico, and the Canadian Produce Marketing Association convention in Montreal, Canada. If you ever get a chance to attend one of these shows, it is well worth it. If you would like additional information on the shows in which we participate, please feel free to contact me.

All pears, all the time. Kevin