The resurgence of the trade fair industry to its former glory after several challenging years was evident last week at the Anuga FoodTec in Cologne, Germany. Not only did visitors and exhibitors from Germany and neighboring countries attend, but numerous visitors from outside Europe also found their way to the Cologne Messe. Virtually all renowned suppliers in the field of machinery and packaging were represented at the international food fair, with a particular focus on the dairy, meat, and convenience sectors (including primarily processed fruits and vegetables).
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The second day of the fair on Wednesday proved to be very worthwhile in terms of visitor numbers, as revealed by a survey among exhibitors. However, the first and last days were less well attended. Nonetheless, the number of visitors and, above all, the quality of the discussions at the stands were satisfactory overall. Exhibitors from the fruits and vegetables sector also indicated that the focus was particularly on the last phase of the supply chain. Systems for washing or processing fresh produce immediately after harvest played only a limited role. However, some exhibitors saw potential in vertical farming, indicating that this segment might be on the rise again.
Innovative packaging and automated technology
What stood out as well was the renewed surge of interest in plastic-reduced and sustainable packaging. Packaging with a limited amount of plastic, as well as innovations based on paper or other biodegradable materials, are currently gaining ground. In addition to all this, automation was the buzzword during this edition of Anuga FoodTec. Comprehensive and partial solutions based on AI are being launched in large numbers and are being installed, particularly in large industrial corporations. However, it seems only a matter of time before such solutions will also make their way into the SME segment.
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Photos: Andries Gunter and Hugo Huijbers
For more information:
https://www.anugafoodtec.com/