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| Internationale Grüne Woche | |
|---|---|
| Name | Internationale Grüne Woche |
| Location | Berlin |
| Established | 1926 |
Internationale Grüne Woche is an annual trade fair and public exposition held in Berlin focusing on agriculture, horticulture, food, and related industries. Founded in 1926, the event has evolved into a major platform where exhibitors, delegations, and visitors from across the world converge for trade, policy exchange, cultural presentation, and culinary demonstration. The fair combines commercial exhibition halls, national pavilions, competitions, and special programs that attract ministers, industry leaders, and consumers.
The fair was established in 1926 during the Weimar Republic to promote agricultural production and food supply after World War I and the Treaty of Versailles. Early editions featured representatives from the Weimar Republic's ministries and regional producers from Prussia, Bavaria, and Saxony. During the Nazi Germany era the exhibition interacted with organisations such as the Reich Ministry of Food and Agriculture and showcased agricultural policies alongside events associated with the 1936 Summer Olympics. Post-World War II, the fair resumed in West Berlin and gradually regained international stature during the Cold War as companies from France, United Kingdom, Italy, and Netherlands participated. After German reunification, the event expanded under the Federal Republic of Germany and incorporated exhibits from countries including Poland, Czech Republic, Russia, China, and United States. Ministers and officials from institutions like the European Commission and the United Nations have attended special sessions or delegations at the fair.
The exposition is organised by Messe Berlin GmbH with support from trade associations such as the Bundesverband der Deutschen Ernährungswirtschaft and producer federations from regions like Baden-Württemberg and Lower Saxony. Governance involves coordination with ministries including the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and municipal authorities of Berlin. The venue comprises multiple halls at the Messe Berlin complex near the Funkturm (Berlin), divided into national pavilions, corporate stands, and thematic zones. Management includes project teams responsible for exhibitor services, protocol, and partnerships with organisations such as the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization. Scheduling aligns with international calendars and bilateral trade delegations from countries including Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, and Japan.
Exhibits range from agricultural machinery displayed by companies from Germany and Sweden to horticultural showcases presented by delegations from Netherlands, Denmark, and Switzerland. Programmes include product competitions, awards judged by panels involving institutions like the European Food Safety Authority and culinary demonstrations featuring chefs affiliated with establishments such as Michelin Guide restaurants and culinary schools from Le Cordon Bleu. Special sections have included fisheries delegations from Norway, organic product areas supported by organisations like Bioland, and start-up zones where agritech firms linked to Fraunhofer Society and Helmholtz Association present innovations. Academic partners from universities including Humboldt University of Berlin and Technical University of Munich have held symposia on supply chains, sustainability, and plant breeding.
Annual attendance figures have ranged from hundreds of thousands to over half a million visitors, drawing tourists who also visit landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, and Reichstag Building. Economic impact analyses by chambers such as the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce estimate benefits to hospitality sectors in districts like Mitte and Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, boosting revenues for hotels associated with chains like Hilton and Marriott. Exhibitors from multinational corporations including Nestlé, Unilever, Cargill, and Arla Foods use the fair to secure contracts and distribution agreements affecting trade flows between blocs such as the European Union and Mercosur members like Argentina and Brazil.
The fair has faced criticism from environmental groups including Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth over representation of intensive livestock producers linked to companies such as Tönnies and pesticide manufacturers associated with Bayer. Animal welfare organisations including PETA and Vier Pfoten have protested displays and called for policy changes, engaging with lawmakers from parties like the Christian Democratic Union of Germany and Social Democratic Party of Germany. Trade disputes have sometimes emerged when delegations from Russia or Ukraine encountered embargoes or sanitary restrictions tied to directives from the European Commission and decisions by the World Trade Organization. Debates over licensing of genetically modified organisms have involved stakeholders from Monsanto-related groups and advocacy from research institutes such as the Max Planck Society.
National pavilions have showcased cultural diplomacy from states including United States, China, India, Turkey, Israel, Egypt, South Korea, and members of the African Union. Trade commissioners and ambassadors from embassies such as those of Poland, Italy, and Spain coordinate export promotion through bodies like German Trade & Invest and bilateral chambers including the American Chamber of Commerce in Germany. Delegations from multilateral institutions such as the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development have used the platform for project announcements and partnerships with ministries from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Mozambique.
Culinary showcases feature regional specialities from Saxony, Thuringia, and Bavaria alongside international cuisine from Japan, Mexico, and Lebanon. Live demonstrations by chefs associated with establishments such as Alinea and Noma have alternated with tastings of products protected by designations like Protected Geographical Indication for goods from Parma and Champagne. Cultural programming includes folk performances by ensembles representing regions like Bavaria and Silesia, and exhibitions of craft traditions from centres such as Freiburg and Gdańsk, often coordinated with tourism boards and cultural ministries.
Category:Trade fairs in Germany Category:Events in Berlin