That was the unanimous reaction of most exhibitors after the end of the three-day trade fair in Berlin. Especially since, in addition to customer meetings, there were also numerous
opportunities to exchange ideas and establish or renew personal relationships. This mix is what makes Fruit Logistica so attractive, was the united opinion in all the halls.
CargoForwarder Global (CFG) spoke to some of the participants. Here is a selection of testimonials CFG received, basically reflecting the views of many others.
Dennis Verkooy, SVP Global Perishables Air Logistics, Kuehne+Nagel
For my company and me, Fruit Logistica offers an attractive overall package. We meet a lot of existing customers to deepen relations and have the opportunity to get to know potential new clients.
We also talk to truckers, media people, and airline representatives. These industries are all represented here, which makes communication and getting to know each other very easy and comfortable
for all participants of the supply chain. At Kuehne+Nagel Air Freight, fresh produce accounts for about 30% of the total transport volume. In our global network, 75 stations are dedicated to
perishables. They focus on these key commodities: fruit and vegetables, flowers, seafood, meat and foodstuffs, depending on location and market situation.
Reha Ozturk, Regional Cargo Manager, Mexico, Turkish Airlines
Being present at this world leading exhibition with a booth and leading staff is an absolute must for us. After all, depending on the season, fresh produce accounts for between 15% and 20% of all
transport volumes carried by Turkish Airlines Cargo. The main export markets are Latin America and Africa. From there, we fly the locally grown products, but also meat and seafood, for example,
first to our hub in Istanbul. They are then transferred to onward flights. Most of the shipments are flown to their final destinations in the Middle East and the Far East, our main destinations
for fresh products.
We have been participating in Fruit Logistica in Berlin for years. Here, we meet with representatives of the industry, whether producers, forwarders, or consignees. They are all represented here.
That is what makes this trade show so charming and attractive from our point of view.
Sabrina Fontanella, Marketing & Communications Director, evelina International, South Tyrol
Besides the Fruit Attraction exposition in Madrid, Berlin’s Fruit Logistica is the meeting point for fruit and vegetable professionals from all over the world. It is therefore indispensable for
us. Particularly, since we have long been represented at the Berlin trade fair. For example, we celebrated our 15th year of participation at this event. For us, it's all about visibility,
presence, personal encounters and clearly positioning our brand vis-à-vis the market players, and rolling out innovations such as new packaging solutions. The Tuk Tuk, which stands here, also
serves this purpose. It is a rolling stand and thus a visual ambassador for our group with its main representatives, evelina International and Tessa. You ask whether the investment has paid off?
It is not possible to put a figure on it in pecuniary terms. Yes, the costs are high, but we believe that they pay off because the Berlin fair kicks off new businesses, deepens existing
relations, and triggers new ones. Let me put it this way: If Fruit Logistica wouldn’t be beneficial for us, we wouldn’t come back.
Ashwin Bhat, CCO Lufthansa Cargo / André Schulz, Head of Region ME, Africa, South Asia& CIS
Ashwin: The fruits and vegetables business is part of our global setting, showcased by our extensive and tightly-knit network. Lufthansa Cargo has been attending the Berlin trade
show for a decade now. Besides customers, we also meet our colleagues from Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Nairobi, or Los Angeles to exchange information and trigger new business. As to sales: Fresh
produce accounts for about 6% of our overall revenues.
André: To add to Ashwin, all our country managers from Africa are also represented here in Berlin because the continent, together with Latin America, is our most important market
for fruit, flowers, and vegetables. Meeting face to face again after the pandemic is a pleasure. Ultimately, air freight is a people's business.
We no longer operate freighters to sub-Saharan Africa, where we use the lower deck compartments of our passenger aircraft to transport fresh produce. On the other hand, we operate A321 freighters
to Cairo, Tunis, and Tel Aviv, as well as B777Fs on the FRA-TLV-CAI-FRA route, complementing the A321 services. Further to this, Lufthansa Cargo markets the cargo capacities of the passenger
fleets of Brussels Airlines, which has a strong Africa network, and of our Group member, Austrian Airlines.
Over in Latin America, we can also offer the capacities of our B777 freighters to the market in addition to the belly holds of the Lufthansa passenger flights.
Heiner Siegmund
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