DIARIO DEL PUERTO COLD CHAIN LOGISTICS - FRUIT LOGISTICA 2022 68 Is this a transitional event with a view to returning to full attendance in 2023 under the same conditions as before the pandemic? We are not aiming to reach the 2020 figures for on-site visitors, as there are countries from which it is still difficult to travel, sowe are giving them the chance to contact exhibitors and visitors through the new Fruit Logistica Online free-access platform, so that they can make those more distant contacts that they may have missed. From now on, we will be talking about on-site visitors and online visitors. Given that in recent weeks there has been an improvement in the health situation, with the gradual lifting of restrictions, do you expect a last-minute increase in the number of visitors? We have extended the final date for possible exhibitor participation to March 14, just three weeks before the fair, due to the improved health situation, and many companies have taken advantage of this opportunity. The vibe is very positive, and we are looking forward to welcoming a large number of visitors and exhibitors to Berlin and above all, and most importantly, to be able to do business. How might the Ukraine conflict and possible trade sanctions against Russia impact the fair? There will be a lot of talk about this issue at the fair and the consequences it will have for the sector are obvious. It is more important than ever to attend in order to keep abreast of developments first hand and prepare for the coming months. LOGISTICS HUB: INFORMATION FOR DECISION-MAKING In keeping with the name of the fair, logistics plays an important role in the event. How has the participation and involvement of the logistics sector evolved? Logistics decisions are one of the keys to fruit and vegetable exports and, for this reason, there are more andmore companies from the industry and all its sub-sectors in attendance at the fair. In addition to transport companies, and transport and tracking systems, the sector includes goods handling, ports and fruit terminals, not forgetting the participation of warehouses and cold storage facilities, and transport and customs services. In addition, the vital contribution of logistics to the fruit and vegetable value chain became more apparent than ever during the pandemic. Is Fruit Logistica 2022 also going to address this in its conference programme? Fruit Logistica has published a trends report on the long-term impact of the pandemic on the fruit and vegetable industry entitled ”A New Start?”, which focuses on production, logistics, distribution, and consumers, and can be downloaded from our website. The increase and shift in the global flow of goods has a major impact on logistics. Through it Logistics Hub in Hall 26, Fruit Logistica has prepared a series of events in which growers, exporters and traders can obtain information to help them make the right logistics decisions to transport their goods. FRUIT LOGISTICA ONLINE: A FAIR ALL YEAR ROUND In the last two years, digital and online tools have played an important role in keeping the international fruit and vegetable community connected. What lessons have been learned from this and howwill they influence upcoming trade fairs? They are definitely tools that are here to stay and will supplement faceto-face events, but they will not be replacing them. The big advantage of online platforms is that they enable contact throughout the year and, in our case, they also provide on-demand access to all the conferences. Up until now, participants had to decide whether they wanted to visit a potential client or attend an interesting conference during the fair; now they can do both.
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