Berlin � FRUIT LOGISTICA 2009 underlined its role as the leading global trade event for the fresh produce trade. Exhibitors and trade visitors alike praised the international character of the event and the fact that it attracted a large number of top decision makers. Emphasis was also placed on the excellent contacts with wholesalers and retailers, fruit and vegetable growers, importers and exporters. The leading exhibition for fruit and vegetable marketing once again attracted 50,000 trade visitors from 125 countries. The share of trade visitors from abroad rose to 78% (2008: 75%). According to exhibition executive Dr. Christian G�ke, "FRUIT LOGISTICA continues to gain importance in the international produce trade. There was no trace of crisis in the air this year. Despite difficult financial times, the industry's leading trade fair confirmed its status as the most important marketing platform for all players in the global value chain. The event provided an important impetus to the fresh produce business".

This success of FRUIT LOGISTICA 2009 was confirmed by key exhibitors at the 3-day trade fair. Commenting on the event, Stuart Symington from the Fresh Produce Exporters� Forum (South Africa) said, "In today�s challenging financial times, FRUIT LOGISTICA pulled out all the stops to foster confidence and build relationships in the global fresh produce industry. Fantastic!" The impact of FRUIT LOGISTICA 2009 on the fruit and vegetable trade was highlighted by Dalia Kabeel, Portfolio Manager for the Egyptian Exporters� Association: "Export sales of fruit and vegetables from Egypt add up to EUR 100 million per year. 70% of this amount is generated by companies during the three days of FRUIT LOGISTICA".

A record-breaking 2,288 exhibitors (2008: 2,110) from 80 countries (2008: 68) presented the full spectrum of the logistics services required to ensure a year-round supply of top-quality fresh fruit and vegetables to consumers all over the world. The exhibition space for this year's event was increased to 88,000m� (2008: 81,000m�). Around 89% of the exhibitors came from outside Germany. 1,017 journalists from 50 different countries were accredited for the fresh produce trade event of the year.

FRUIT LOGISTICA 2009 was officially opened by Ilse Aigner, Germany's Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection. The trade fair was also attended by Chilean Minister of Agriculture Marig�n Hornkohl representing this year's FRUIT LOGISTICA partner country. Other officials at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2009 included Egyptian Minister of Agriculture Amin Abaza, Greek Minister of Agriculture Sotiris Chatzigakis, Trade Minister Lic. Fredis Cerrato from Honduras, Jorge Ruede Sousa, Mexican Minister for Europe and Italian Minister of Agriculture Luca Zaia. 39 Ambassadors and a number of national delegations were on hand to represent their countries and set up new business contacts.

Sweet Green Pepper receives Innovation Award

Trade visitors voted for the Sweet Green Pepper from the Dutch company Enza Zaden as the winner of this year's FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award (FLIA). Chris Groot, Marketing Project Manager at Enza Zaden, commented: "We are extremely proud of this award. It's a great compliment to our seed breeding department and to the grower". "Sweet Green Pepper" has a bright, green colour and contains 30% more sugar and vitamins than conventional pepper varieties. The School Apple Project sponsored by the Association for the Promotion of Organic Fruit from the Altes Land region of Germany took second place honours in the competition. This project also received a special jury prize. Third place went to the T.R. Turoni company of Italy for its portable DA-Meter ripeness tester. The FLIA was presented by Messe Berlin and Fruchthandel Magazine in 2009 for the fourth time.

Positive commercial results for 92% of all exhibitors

Key objectives for exhibitors at FRUIT LOGISTICA included new business development, company presentation/image building, and fostering customer relations and professional contacts. More than half of all exhibitors presented an innovation or enhancement of existing products. 92% of exhibitors said that their participation at the trade fair had a positive impact on business. Although business contracts were not among the top priorities, nearly 50% of all exhibitors managed to close new deals. Some 92% of exhibitors said they anticipated good post-exhibition business. 61% of exhibitors rated the current economic situation in their industry as favourable (55%) or highly favourable (6%). A total of 91% of exhibitors reported a positive overall impression of this year's FRUIT LOGISTICA. 92% said they would recommend the trade fair to their business associates and colleagues.

Trade visitors with decision-making authority

78% of trade visitors were from abroad, with the vast majority coming from the EU countries (68%). The most frequently cited countries of origin were Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Great Britain. 8% were from European countries outside the EU. 24% of foreign visitors came from America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. Most of the trade visitors to FRUIT LOGISTICA were there to establish contacts or meet new suppliers, find out about new products, and study the market and the competition. Trade visitors were primarily interested in fresh produce as well as packaging and packaging machinery. The majority of trade visitors identified themselves as fruit and vegetable growers, representatives from import/export companies or involved in wholesale/retail trade. The level of trade visitors' decision-making authority remained high. 75% of trade visitors held management positions in their companies, and 88% stated that they play a key role in purchasing or procurement decisions.

Nearly all trade visitors gave an extremely positive assessment of their business results at the trade fair. 82% managed to establish new business contacts; 75% were anticipating follow-up negotiations and business deals as a result of contacts made at the trade fair. The range of products and services presented at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2009 was rated good or excellent by 93% of trade visitors, with 97% rating their overall impression of FRUIT LOGISTICA as good or excellent. 96% of trade visitors said they would recommend FRUIT LOGISTICA 2010 to their colleagues or business associates.

FRESHCONEX continues to grow

The FRESHCONEX 2009 trade fair for the rapidly growing fresh-cut convenience sector was held for the second time this year in conjunction with FRUIT LOGISTICA. 73 exhibitors from 13 countries (2008: 62/14) presented their products and services in an exhibition space of more than 4,000m� (2008: 2,400m�). 79% of the trade visitors came from abroad, with most of them hailing from Italy, the Netherlands, France, and other leading countries in the fresh-cut sector. More than 87% of exhibitors and more than 98% of trade visitors gave a positive assessment of their business results at the trade fair.

Statements from FRUIT LOGISTICA 2009 exhibitors: Fresh produce companies and associations

Hein Deprez, CEO of the Univeg group (Belgium): "Univeg staff from all over the world were at FRUIT LOGISTICA to meet customers, colleagues and friends from across the fresh produce industry. The trade fair offered opportunities to share fresh produce ideas and experience, assess the changing market demands and identify and explore new innovation possibilities". Stefan Weist, Business Director Central Europe Chiquita (Germany): "Chiquita received very positive feedback at this year's FRUIT LOGISTICA. The trade fair is increasingly developing into a tremendous networking platform. This is where we meet our customers as well as our suppliers". Reinhard Hagemann, General Manager Del Monte Germany: "It is important for Del Monte to attend FRUIT LOGISTICA. This year, we are particularly pleased with our international contacts � especially to Scandinavian and Eastern European markets". Johan Lind�n, CEO Dole Germany OHG: "Once again, Dole's participation at FRUIT LOGISTICA was a success. Our CSR projects generated considerable interest and we will engage in in-depth dialogue with customers over the weeks and months to come". Karl Schmitz, Managing Director, BVEO (Germany): "The huge importance of FRUIT LOGISTICA as an international platform for the fresh produce trade was confirmed once again this year. The decision to hold the event from Wednesday to Friday proved correct, as Friday was another very strong day". Dr. Andreas Br�gger, Managing Director of the German Fruit Trade Association (DFHV): "This year's FRUIT LOGISTICA was very exciting. The international trade is in many respects poised for major changes, which will clearly have an impact here in Germany. I'm not talking so much about the ubiquitous financial crisis. This is about the global shift in demand for fresh produce and the anticipated pressure for sustainable production and energy-efficient logistics". Uwe Kluge, Chairman German Wholesale Markets: "We are more than satisfied. Our association attracted new members and new marketing partners at FRUIT LOGISTICA".

Statements from exhibitors based in Europe

Dr. Paul Zandanel, Export Organisation, South Tyrol, Bolzano Chamber of Commerce (Italy): The South Tyrolean Apple Growers' Association is in the process of increasing its advertising activities in Germany. In this respect, exhibiting at FRUIT LOGISTICA is an important marketing tool". Bert Lindenberg, Sales Manager, AFFELDT Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH (Germany): " We�re using FRUIT LOGISTICA as a platform for in-depth communication with our customers. We�re never as close to them as we are at this trade fair". George Frangistas from GEFRA (Greece): "FRUIT LOGISTICA is a global event. If you don't participate here, you are an outsider. This is the only trade fair on our calendar". Katerina Syurtukova, Import Manager, FRUIT BROTHERS (Russia): "Not everything can be done over the telephone. FRUIT LOGISTICA gives us a chance to meet people face-to-face. That's what makes the trade fair so valuable for us". Teresa Torres Sarabia, Ministry of Agriculture, Murcia Region (Spain): "We have had more visitors than we had last year and our fears about the economic situation were unfounded". Zuzana Sindelarova from the Ceroz Group (Czech Republic): "We are at FRUIT LOGISTICA to meet suppliers and customers, learn about the latest industry trends and develop new markets". Pablo Leria Couderc, Jefe Dpto. Agroalimentario Extenda Andalusein (Spain): "More than anywhere else in the world, FRUIT LOGISTICA presents the complete spectrum of this industry concentrated in one place. And all the indicators point to growth". Daniel Soares, Export Marketing Manager, Interfel (France): "This year we managed to successfully promote our slogan 'Say oui to the true taste' at FRUIT LOGISTICA. As in the past, this is the right place to meet the key decision-makers in our industry". Zolt�n Ga�l, Department Head, Agricultural Marketing Centre, Hungary: "The fresh produce sector accounts for 50% of the total Hungarian export volume. That's why FRUIT LOGISTICA was a mandatory date on our calendar this year for the 12th time. We meet our key export partners and our members establish important new contacts here".

Statements from exhibitors based in the Americas

Fredis Cerrato, Honduras Chamber of Industry and Commerce: "At FRUIT LOGISTICA we can show the world the wide variety of good products our country has to offer. The trade fair also encourages our producers to enter the export market". Lic. Patricio Pizzoglio, Promoci�n Comercial, Fundaci�n EXPORT (Argentina): "For us, FRUIT LOGISTICA is the most important trade fair in the world. Nowhere else do we meet our customers from all over the globe in just three days". Christel E. Wagner, Marketing Specialist, USA Pavilion: "We had five new companies from the U.S. join us this year. And they are all more than satisfied. Nobody was expecting to achieve this level of success in terms of the number and quality of contacts. We attracted a lot of interest from Eastern and Central Europe". Valeska de Oliviera, Executive Manager, Brazilian Fruit Institute: "FRUIT LOGISTICA is the most important trade fair for the Brazilian fresh produce trade. This year we saw a growing demand for convenience products. And we will definitely be responding to this when we come back next year". William Arteaga Donayre, Agriculture and Agroindustry Promperu Peru: "FRUIT LOGISTICA met all of our expectations. We got together with our key export partners and managed to build new business connections in Eastern Europe". Blanca G, Villarello, General Coordinator of Trade Promotion, MexBest (Mexico): "MexBest invested heavily in its trade show presence this year and this was a major risk in the face of the current financial situation. All our expectations have been surpassed. Now we are very optimistic about our future export figures". Julio Moscoso Valenzuela, Export Promotion Manager, Corpei, Ecuador: "Best trade fair with the best contacts. In times like these, you have to be visionary and courageous. And that's how we see ourselves". Alicia Frohmann, Managing Director, Pro Chile: "The volume of consumption on the world market is not secure this year. This made it all the important to do good business in Germany".

Statements from exhibitors based in Africa and the Middle East

Stuart Symington, Fresh Produce Exporters� Forum (South Africa): "In today�s challenging financial times, FRUIT LOGISTICA pulled out all the stops to foster confidence and build relationships in the global fresh produce industry. Fantastic!" Dalia Kabeel, Portfolio Manager of the Egyptian Exporters� Association: "Export sales of fresh fruit and vegetables from Egypt totalled EUR 100 million in 2008. 70% of this sales volume was generated in three days by the companies here at FRUIT LOGISTICA". Alphonse Ralison, Malagasy Ambassador: "Exhibiting at FRUIT LOGISTICA is a must for us. This is where all of our potential business partners are present". Edith Shalev, Managing Director, Carmel Agrexco Israel: "Especially considering the current economic situation, our expectations here have been surpassed. The contacts and discussions were very good in terms of both number and quality. As in the past, FRUIT LOGISTICA was clearly the right decision".

Statements from exhibitors based in Asia and Oceania

Andrius Petraitis, Operation Manager SERGORUS (Uzbekistan): "FRUIT LOGISTICA is a perfect place to introduce our company to the European trade". Wayne Prowse, Export Development Manager, Horticultural Australia Limited (Australia): "We were especially interested in setting up contacts in Scandinavian markets and this worked out well for us". Kazunari Konno, Senior Executive Director, Japan Agricultural Corporations Association: "Our association represents 1,700 Japanese companies. We are here at FRUIT LOGISTICA for the first time this year to present the high quality of our agricultural products to the European market. Our giant Japanese apple attracted a lot of attention and we are heading back home with more than 1,000 enquiries for this product". Tony Fissette, Managing Director, Enzafruit New Zealand: "At FRUIT LOGISTICA we achieved the best possible success with the world's best apple at the world's best trade fair". Mohd Hafizuddin Abdullah, Vice President, Malaysian Agrifood: "FRUIT LOGISTICA was especially successful for us this year. We introduced a new variety of papaya that even attracted the interest of contract growers from Colombia". Vinita Sudhanshu, Assistant General Manager, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (India): "We had more contacts at FRUIT LOGISTICA than in the past years and are planning to increase the size of our exhibition stand in 2010. The visitors were primarily interested in our pomegranates".

Next dates: 3�5 February 2010

FRUIT LOGISTICA 2009 was organised by Messe Berlin GmbH in cooperation with Fruchthandel Magazine (D�sseldorf). The next edition of FRUIT LOGISTICA will take place on 3�5 February 2010.

Notes for media representatives:

Press info for your final reports is available on www.fruitlogistica.com / Press Service. Television broadcasters can access video footage with exhibitor statements and pictures from the trade fair on www.tvservicebox.de. The latest industry information is outlined in more than 100 news briefs covering trade show activities. In the radio section you will find six reports and original sound bytes. More than 250 photos of trade show events are available to print media reporters. The final report for FRUIT LOGISTICA 2009 containing the results of the exhibitor and trade visitor surveys along with statements on the outcome of the trade fair (including portrait shots) is now available online.

Press Contact: Messe Berlin GmbH Michael T. Hofer Director, Corporate Press and Public Relations

Wolfgang Rogall Press Officer Messedamm 22 14055 Berlin Germany Tel. +49 30 3038-2218 Fax: +49 30 3038-2287 rogall@messe-berlin.de