On 20 September 2023, at MCC Mazurkas, the 17th edition of a unique event for the fruit and vegetable industry took place – Fresh Market 2023 B2B Meeting and Trade Show. For more than fifteen years, Fresh Market remains a key meeting ground for producers, distributors, and retail chains from the fruit, vegetable, and flower industry. The long-standing tradition has made this event one of the most important in the wholesale trade sector in Poland and Central Europe.

This year’s edition, sponsored by AKSUN, one of Turkey’s largest fruit and vegetable exporters, attracted several hundred participants from over 30 countries around the world, including representatives of 24 retail chains such as Żabka, Carrefour, Biedronka, Arhelan, Auchan, Stokrotka, Frisco, DINO, SPAR, E. Leclerc, Intermarche, Bricomarche from Poland, PROFI from Romania, COOP Jednota from Slovakia, RIMI Baltic from Latvia, Maxima from Lithuania, BINGO from Bosnia and Herzegovina or Rohlik from the Czech Republic. The hybrid formula of the event was also maintained, providing the opportunity to hold online meetings with representatives of POLO Market, Selgros, Chata Polska, Netto from Poland as well as Varus and ATB from Ukraine.

Polish fresh fruit and vegetables attracted exceptional interest during the B2B meetings held, bringing to Fresh Market 2023 buyers of these products from the retail chains COOP Jednota from Slovakia, RIMI Baltic from Latvia and several other countries.

A new addition to Fresh Market 2023 was the Distributors Hub, which allows participants to establish direct contacts with key distributors and logistics companies that can provide a bridge between the producer and the retail chain. Representatives from Targban, ConsorFrut, Fresh World International, OGL-Polska and many others were available for cooperation talks. Especially appreciated among logistics companies was Greenyard Logistics Poland.

– We are especially proud of Distributors Hub, which has proven to be a great success. Inviting such important wholesalers, logistics companies and importers and bringing them together in one place has increased the range of opportunities available for our participants. Establishing business contacts with distributors is often the first, and crucial, step in entering a retail market in a given country – said Artur Stasiak, CEO of the organiser KJOW Sp z o.o and the Fresh Market project.

In addition to meetings with retail chain buyers and distributors, event participants were able to visit unique stands in the Exhibitors Hub. Fresh Market 2023 featured, among others, Mercamadrid – the largest food trading hub in Europe, Moldova Fruct – the largest association of fruit producers and exporters in Moldova, Hazera – a world leader in the seed industry, Redpack – a leader in the production of flow-pack packaging machines and many others. Among the products and services presented, the ecological packaging EARTHPACK from Cristobal Meseguer SA and fresh HPP juices from MACE from Italy stood out most.

With the support of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Poland and in collaboration with FloraCulture International magazine and The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), Fresh Market 2023 also provided an opportunity to learn about innovations in the floral industry. Dutch suppliers of cut flowers, bouquets, potted plants, garden plants, shrubs, trees, and flower bulbs had the chance to showcase their products to retailers like BRICOMARCHE from Poland.

In the evening, participants could attend a formal cocktail dinner party where prestigious Fresh Market Award 2023 prizes were presented to the best and most innovative products of the year.

The main award went to Hazera Poland and G’s Polska for their innovative cabbage variety – “Callaway F1”. This cabbage stands out with its flat head shape and exceptional taste and crunchiness, making it an ideal product for various culinary dishes. Creative wraps made from the leaves of this flat cabbage delighted participants and helped companies to win the Fresh Market Award 2023 trophy.

The conclusion of Fresh Market 2023 provided an excellent opportunity to make new business contacts and exchange experiences in the fruit, vegetable, and flower industry.

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