The world’s largest consumer show, the International Green Week Berlin (IGW) is underway for the 77th time in the Berlin (January 20-29). The IGW 2012  features more than 1,600 exhibitors from over 50 countries, including the debút of Gabon at the fair, as well as hosts a global forum with 65 ministers of agriculture from around the world. The German Agriculture Minister attended the opening ceremony on January 19 and opened the trade show on the 20th.
Enlarge image (© Int. Grüne Woche)

The IGW boasts unique and memorable displays covering every aspect of agriculture, the food industry and horticulture. And rightfully so. The world’s largest event for gourmets and epicures features mouth-watering delicacies from every continent.

Approximately one third of the exhibitors come from abroad and seven African nations are represented among them. Spices from Madagascar, colourful kikoy cloth wraps and handicrafts from Kenya, and Dju Dju beer from Ghana will tempt visitors, in addition to multitudes of products from Rwanda, South Africa and Tunisia. This year will mark the first opportunity that visitors will have of sampling the finest products made with cacao from the central African country of Gabon.

The fair traditionally has a partner country and for 2012 it is Romania. It presented cultural performances and national culinary delights during the opening event on January 19.

Enlarge image View of the many visitors to Green Week (© picture-alliance/dpa) The supporting programme with many prominent participants includes the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (January 19-21), which has attracted some 50 ministers of agriculture from around the world. In addition to leading representatives of the food industry and agriculture, the group discuss the subject of ”Food Security Through Sustainable Growth – Farming with Limited Resources”.

Several hundred of thousands of people are expected to attend the Green Week 2012 during its ten-day run, including around 100,000 trade visitors. Professionals attending the fair will be able to choose from a range of over 300 conferences, meetings, panel discussions and workshops.

With presentations typical of the various countries and regions, and its attractive special show, the Green Week is also a unique experience for the public. A variety of stages and cookery studios will offer a programme that is both entertaining and informative.

This is attractive for the local visitors as culinary diversity and health consciousness have increased in German cuisine. Although hearty regional dishes are still on the menu, they have now been joined by numerous dishes from other cooking cultures. With good reason: Germans are some of the most international eaters in Europe. And the trend towards healthy eating is documented by the growing demand for organic foods.

Enlarge image Minister Aigner with CEO of Messe Berlin Raimund Hosch and Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit at Green Week Opening Ceremony (© Gruene Woche/Messe Berlin) The Green Week's history extends back over 85 years. From its origins as a basic, local market place in 1926, it has evolved into the world’s largest consumer show for agriculture, food and horticulture. Since then a total of more than 78,000 exhibitors from 124 countries have presented a comprehensive range of products from every continent to more than 30 million visitors.

The Green Week 2012 was officially opened on January 19 at the ICC Berlin by Ilse Aigner, German Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection. The International Green Week Berlin 2012 is organized by Messe Berlin GmbH. Its non-commercial sponsors are the German Farmers’ Union (DBV) and the Federation of German Food and Drink Industries (BVE).

For more information about the Green week, please click link above, right.