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In February, eight levy-paying vegetable growers braved a cold European winter to attend the 2017 European
Industry Leadership and Development Mission, where they visited the Berlin Fruit Logistica trade show as well
as leading agribusinesses and wholesale markets in Germany.
STRENGTHENING TIES BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN
AND AUSTRALIAN VEGETABLE INDUSTRY
Saying goodbye to the summer sunshine for nine days, eight
leading producers in the Australian vegetable industry travelled
to Germany for the 2017 European Industry Leadership and
Development Mission, which took place from 4-13 February.
Participants attended Berlin Fruit Logistica, the world’s largest
trade show for the fresh produce sector and one of the most
highly anticipated events on the global agricultural calendar.
They also met with leading agribusinesses in Germany.
The main objective of the mission was to ensure that participants
gained a greater understanding of the global vegetable industry,
while also developing relationships with their international
counterparts and other participants on the mission.
It aimed to educate and inspire growers by providing an insight
into current and emerging trends in global horticulture growing
and supply chain practices, which could help to develop
the Australian vegetable industry.
GLOBAL R&D INSIGHT
In the lead-up to Berlin Fruit Logistica, the group visited Bayer’s
Global Headquarters in Monheim, near Cologne. Participants
were given an overview of Bayer’s fruit and vegetable strategy,
which included information on the company’s investment in
R&D and contribution to sustainable agriculture. Participants met
with Dr Johannes Glaubitz from the Residue Analysis team, who
gave a presentation on the sector. Bayer invests heavily in R&D,
with the CropScience division responsible for investing hundreds
of millions of Euros and employing approximately 5,000 staff
dedicated to R&D.
The group also visited several important R&D facilities during a
site tour, including the Substance Library and Biological Research
Disease Control Centre, where participants gained a greater
The final report for this project will be made available on the InfoVeg database
at ausveg.
The 2017 European Industry Leadership and Development Mission was
funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the research and
development National Vegetable Levy, contributions from Australian vegetable
growing businesses and funds from the Australian Government.
Project Number: VG15701
INFO
understanding of the intricate tests that take place to develop
new products.
Delegates departed the facility with a greater appreciation of
the production processes employed to create new chemistries
for seeds, chemical and biological crop protection and pest
control. Many of the participants noted that it was interesting
to get an insight into how a global agribusiness operates.
A TRULY INTERNATIONAL EVENT
Berlin Fruit Logistica, which was held from 8-10 February,
gave participants the opportunity to forge strong networking
connections with leading researchers, growers and business
professionals in the global fresh produce industry. More than
3,000 stands were on show and seemingly covered every
aspect of the fresh produce trade.
Throughout the trade show, participants were able to explore
new machinery and equipment on display that might generate
efficiencies or improve production practices on their farms.
Machinery exhibits make up an entire floor at Berlin Fruit Logistica,
with growers stunned by the size and scale of the exhibition space,
particularly as some stalls featured fully functioning machines to
demonstrate how the technology worked.
The delegation was treated to further presentations from Bayer,
Plant & Food Research New Zealand and leading international
seed supplier Rijk Zwaan. These presentations were organised
by AUSVEG and were highly regarded by delegates, who were
appreciative for the opportunity to form valuable business
networks with the world’s leading agribusinesses which were
keen to speak with each delegate to understand their business
needs and how their company can help them be more productive
and profitable. Participants also attended a networking dinner with head
managers of Syngenta as well as networking functions with employees
from Syngenta, Bayer, Rijk Zwaan and Plant & Food Research.
MARKET VISIT
The delegation woke early on a frosty Friday morning to make
their way to the Berliner Groβ markt, Berlin’s fresh produce market
located 20 minutes from the city centre. The market’s convenient
location allows for easy accessibility for buyers from central Berlin.
The total floor space of the market is 85,000 square metres,
with 50 fruit and vegetable wholesalers stocking more than 500
varieties of fruit and vegetables. The market handles 220,000
tonnes of produce per year through its 80 undercover loading
docks, using 120 forklifts onsite.
The delegation was shown through the market by Berliner
Groβ markt CEO Dieter Krauss. During the visit, the delegation
compared the size and quantity of produce in the Berlin market to
Australian fresh produce markets. The participants were impressed
with the packaging and quality of numerous lines they had not
encountered before.
Delegates also had the opportunity to visit a range of local
supermarkets, including the most extravagant fresh produce
food hall in the KaDeWe shopping mall. Delegates seized the
opportunity to see what vegetables were on German supermarket
shelves, and they compared size, quality and quantities on display.
At the end of the mission, each delegate was looking forward
to returning to their growing operation to implement their new
ideas and share their experiences with local growers, which will
undoubtedly contribute to the future sustainability of the Australian
vegetable industry.
Delegates at Berlin's fresh produce market. L-R: Ged Sipple, Matt Hood and Yuri Wolfert at Berlin Fruit Logistica. Fresh produce in the KaDeWe food hall.
R&D | INDUSTRY MISSION |
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PH (03) 5623 1362
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