The main entrance of Messe Berlin/Photo: AfricaNewsAnalysis/Ahmed Berkane
Berlin, 28 January, 2024 – Germany’s unique trade extravaganza for agriculture, the food industry and horticulture, the International Green Week ended in Berlin today.
Recognised worldwide as a window for modern methods of agriculture, the ten-day fair provided an opportunity for the general public and potential trading partners to sample the best that the food industry had to offer.
Germany’ Minister of Agriculture, Cem Özdemir (pictured right in the upper photo and left in the lower photo) at the Pavilion of the Central Association of the German Bakery Trade/Photo: AfricaNewsAnalysis/Ahmed Berkaane
The Green Week, moreover, provided a platform for a critical review of the activities of participants and policy-makers in the agricultural sector. This was largely due to the comprehensive display of products and services by over 1,400 exhibitors from around the world.
Always a successful event and a good start to the year, and despite the German rail drivers’ strike, the Green Week attracted a total of around 275,000 visitors to the Berlin exhibition grounds, turning the venue into the number one dialogue platform for politics and the agricultural industry.
National flags of participating nations/Photo:AfricaNews/Ahmed Berkane
The agricultural fair serves as a magnet that draws in prominent politicians such as the Federal Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz as well as eight federal ministers.
The international dimension of the International Green Week was the convening of the 16th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) which took place at the CityCube Berlin.
The GFFA kicked off from 17 to 20 January under the motto “Together for a world without hunger”.
The Forum attracted around 2,000 international representatives from politics, business, science and civil society.
The Forum discussed innovative projects and finding solutions together.
The political highlight of the GFFA was the 16th Berlin Agriculture Ministers’ Conference, at which Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir met with his counterparts from around 65 countries as well as representatives of more than ten international organizations.
In their final communique, the agricultural ministers pledged to drive forward the urgently needed transformation towards more resilient and sustainable agricultural and food systems.
Photo: AfricaNewsAnalysis/Ahmed Berkane
The food and agricultural sectors drew a positive conclusion from this year’s Green Week.
In the words of Joachim Rukwied, President of the German Farmers’ Association: “We have experienced an intensive Green Week, with many encounters, numerous political discussions.
“Visitors were also able to taste, try and experience food – and learn about many innovations in food production. You could really feel how important enjoyment is for consumers.”
Christoph Minhoff, Managing Director of the Federation of German Food and Drink Industries observed that “The interest of consumers and politicians in food from Germany continues unabated. At Green Week, they were able to familiarise themselves with all stages of production and see for themselves the great variety and high quality of the products on offer”.
He noted that the trade fair also showed that the recommendations from the German government’s nutrition strategy and the Citizens’ Council on Nutrition were already being put into practice in many areas.
At the International Green Week, the young generation hub for training got to a successful start.
It was estimated that 15,000 school children turned the exhibition centre into Germany’s largest school class.
As part of the young generation school programme, the children were able to find out about current topics relating to agriculture, nutrition and horticulture.
The 89th International Green Week will take place at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds from 17 to 26 January 2025.
About Grüne Woche
Grüne Woche is one of the most traditional trade fairs nationwide and one of the best-known events in Germany. Founded in 1926 in the Berlin of the Golden Twenties, it is unique as the leading international trade fair for food, agriculture and horticulture. Exhibitors from all over the world present an extensive range of products on ten event days. In addition, Grüne Woche gives current social issues such as climate protection, circular economy, resource conservation and sustainable land use a stage. The 88th edition of Grüne Woche took place from January 19to 28, 2024. Grüne Woche is the starting point for the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA for short). The GFFA is the leading international conference on key issues for the future of the global agriculture and food industry. The highlight is the meeting of more than 70 ministers of agriculture.
About Messe Berlin
Berlin has been a trade fair destination for 200 years, and has been one of the most important such hubs for many decades. Messe Berlin– the state’s own trade fair company – conceives, markets and organises hundreds of live events every year. It strives to be an outstanding host for visitors at all events, generate optimal business stimuli, and provide fair conditions for everyone. This concept is reflected in the company slogan: Messe Berlin – Hosting the World.
International Green Week enthusiasts/Photo; AfricaNewsAnalysis/Ahmed Berkane