Attended by nearly 80,000 people, Fruit Logistica Berlin is the world’s largest fresh produce trade show. A relatively new entry, Canada in its current form has a country pavilion now in its third consecutive year. Find out more about the key stakeholders taking part in Berlin in February.
PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 
Businesses in British Columbia’s agrifood sector serve the global marketplace. With B.C.’s diverse and growing selection of agrifood products including wine and seafood, an international reputation for high food safety standards and a favourable location for international shipping, British Columbia’s agrifood sector is well-positioned for growth and investment in both existing and new markets.
In 2017, British Columbia exported $3.9 billion worth of agrifood and seafood products to 157 markets. B.C. fields and farms can grow many different types of vegetables, from asparagus to zucchini. In 2017, the top five vegetable exports were mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and potatoes. Their greenhouse vegetable sector, which generated $160 million in exports in 2017, supplies the B.C. marketplace with fresh vegetables for close to 10 months of the year.
The diverse climate enables the production of a wide variety of berries, grapes, tree fruits and nuts on over 24,600 hectares of farmland. Tree fruits include apples, cherries, peaches, pears, plums/prunes, nectarines and apricots and nuts include filberts/hazelnuts, walnuts, chestnuts and pecans. British Columbia has close to 4,000 hectares in grape production and produced more than 26,000 tonnes of grapes in 2017.
CKF, INC 
CKF Inc. provides food service and packaging products to customers throughout North America. CKF was originally incorporated in 1933 to manufacture pulp fibre plates.
Today CKF offers a diverse portfolio of pulp, foam, and RPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate) products for purchase and use in all channels including retail, food service and food packaging. CKF is Canada’s largest manufacturer of single use plates, under the Royal Chinet brand name.
They are also a leader in a variety of other fibre pulp, foam, and RPET plastic products, including egg cartons, meat trays, produce packs, food trays, carry-out trays and containers.
One of its newest designs is its Earthcycle line of home compostable and recyclable packaging. CKF is the only North American company recently nominated for the prestigious Fruit Logistica Innovation Awards.
CANADIAN PRODUCE MARKETING ASSOCIATION (CPMA) 
Based in Ottawa, the CPMA is a not-for-profit organization that represents companies that are active in the marketing of fresh fruits and fresh vegetables in Canada from the farm gate to the dinner plate. CPMA’s vision is to enable and lead the produce industry by enhancing the market and facilitating trade of fresh fruits and vegetables for its members.
CPMA represents over 860 member companies doing business in the fresh fruit and vegetable sector. Members include major growers/shippers/packers/marketers, importer/exporters, transporters, brokers, distributors/wholesalers, retailers, fresh cut operators, foodservice distributors/operators and processors that integrate all segments of the fresh produce industry.
CPMA’s Annual Convention & Trade Show is one of Canada’s largest events dedicated to the fruit and vegetable industry. A unique forum for industry leaders to enhance their business opportunities in Canada, the CPMA Convention and Trade Show provides an exceptional combination of education and networking opportunities. The show attracts over 4000 participants from all segments of the produce supply chain and showcases produce from around the world. CPMA’s Annual Convention and Trade Show will take place in the following locations in the coming years: 2019 – Montréal, Québec • Tuesday, April 2 – Thursday, April 4, 2019, 2020 – Toronto, ON • Tuesday, May 12 – Thursday, May 14, 2020, 2021 – Vancouver, BC • Tuesday, March 2 – Thursday, March 4, 2021.
FRUIT AND VEGETABLE DISPUTE RESOLUTION COMPANY (DRC) 
The DRC is a non-profit, membership-based organization serving the produce trade. As the name would suggest, the bread and butter of what they do is dispute resolution. In addition to consultation, mediation, and arbitration, they work closely with industry associations and governments on behalf of producers and CPMA members to reform legislation, make federal inspections more accessible, develop best practices, and level the playing field for participants.
When differences of opinion occur, they provide the fruit and vegetable value chain with specialised consultation, mediation and arbitration services to resolve the issue in a timely & cost-effective manner.
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND POTATOES 
Growing potatoes on Prince Edward Island (PEI) is much more than just an industry…it’s a way of life! Islanders have been growing potatoes since the late 1700’s and the industry remains the lifeblood of the Island economy. The pride that PEI growers take in producing high quality potatoes stems from hard work and generational farming knowledge that ensures their success.
The potato industry is worth over a billion dollars to the PEI economy every year, according to an economic impact study completed in 2010. This includes the value of the crop, the direct employment generated by the industry, as well as the additional services and industries that rely on a healthy potato sector to prosper. Over 88,000 acres of potatoes are grown on PEI each year, making it the largest commercial crop grown on the Island, generating 50 per cent of farm cash receipts in the province. This also makes PEI the largest potato producing province in Canada.
PEI grows seed, table/consumption, and fresh potatoes for processing, many varieties of which are exported all over the world.
AIR CANADA CARGO 
Air Canada Cargo provides direct cargo services to over 150 Canadian, U.S. transborder and international destinations and has sales representation in over 50 countries. With hubs in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, London and Frankfurt, their network is extended through interline agreements with other air carriers and through ground trucking services offered in selected markets, serving more than 300 destinations in all.
Air Canada Cargo is Canada’s largest provider of air cargo services as measured by cargo capacity. Their primary customers are large freight forwarding companies and businesses whose products require the use of air services to expedite their time sensitive cargo shipments. They offer shipping solutions tailored to specific commodities and time requirements to meet the needs of customers efficiently and cost-effectively. Air Canada is the official sponsor of the Canadian pavilion lounge at Fruit Logistica.
ORGANIZERS 
Organized by B-For International in partnership with the Canadian Embassy in Germany, the organizers are Nora Gruetters (Canadian Embassy of Germany), Michelle McArtor (B-For International), and Richie Santosdiaz (country presence champion).
The Canadian pavilion will be in Hall 23 at Berlin Messe during Fruit Logistica in Berlin from February 6 to 8, 2019.
Richie Santosdiaz is an economic development expert. He is the Canadian lead organizer for Canada’s presence at Fruit Logistica.
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