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The 2nd FRESKON exhibition, being held from 21 to 23 April 2016, is developing into a major international commercial multi-event, with the participation of almost 80% of domestic fresh fruit and vegetable distributors.
FRESKON, which is being organised by TIF-Helexpo, is transforming Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre into a point of reference for the fresh fruit & vegetable market of South-East Europe.
With a 30% increase in the scale of the exhibition compared to last year's first event, the 2nd FRESKON will be attended by 137 foreign hosted buyers and 210 specialised trade visitors in group delegations from neighbouring countries.
"FRESKON was an international event ever since it was first held last year. This element is being bolstered this year and we are being pleasantly surprised", stressed the President of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Tassos Tzikas, during today's Press Conference.
The CEO of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Kyriakos Pozrikidis, noted that FRESKON has become one of the most international events held by the national exhibition agency. In this
context, it attracts exhibitors from over 25 countries. In total, there will 246 exhibitors and over 2,500 B2B meetings have been scheduled between representatives of Greek enterprises and producers and the foreign hosted buyers, who will be coming from 31 countries.
The publisher of 'Froutonea' magazine (which is cooperation with TIF-Helexpo in the framework of FRESKON), Mr Panayiotis Orfanos, emphasised the attendance of a major business delegation from Iran.
The Iranian delegation to FRESKON consists of representatives of seven retail chains and distributors of fresh fruit and vegetables who will be seeking trade partnerships and exchange of technical knowledge.
Mr Christos Katsanos, the coordinator of the 1st Congress on Green Vegetables and Asparagus being held within the framework of FRESKON, referred to the work of the upcoming congress.
Mr Katsanos underlined that the congress will feature specialised speakers from Germany, Belgium and Italy, presenting modern trends in green vegetables and asparagus, the role of packaging, innovative forms of cultivation, the demands of consumers, as well as the products that appear to have a bright future.
The Deputy General Director of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Alexis Tsaxirlis, underlined the prospects of FRESKON and noted that the goal is to include the event in the top 5 or 6 exhibitions in the sector in Europe. He also pointed out that the fact that it is being held in Thessaloniki is directly related to the development of new commercial networks focusing on the city in order to promote fresh Greek fruit
and vegetables to foreign markets.
The project manager of FRESKON, Ms Tonia Nikolaidou, stated that the exhibition is contributing towards increasing the extroversion of the sector and approaching new markets.
The exhibition will cover a total area of 12,000 m2, i.e. three pavilions, which would be one more than last year.
Exhibitors will be coming from Greece, Bulgaria, Spain, the Netherlands, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Japan, India, Israel, Italy, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, Turkey and Finland.
The role of FRESKON as an important intermediate link between the Greek production of fresh fruit & vegetables and the international markets is highlighted by two innovations.
FreshCon Market, a special section being held within the framework of FRESKON, is a business event with the main objective bringing major supermarket chains that control a significant distribution network into direct contact with professionals of the agricultural sector, creating the ideal conditions for direct agreements.
The largest supermarket chains of the Balkans (Bulgaria, Ukraine, FYROM, Romania, Serbia and Greece) will be present and 15 major retail networks have already confirmed their participation.
At FreshCon Market, each supermarket will have its own stand staffed by the buyers of the fresh fruit & vegetable departments of these chains.
The buyers will attend targeted, scheduled appointments with representatives of Greek companies selling and distributing fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as productive enterprises of the sector.
Apart from FreshCon Market, during FRESKON, the 1st Congress on Green Vegetables & Asparagus will be held (you can find the detailed schedule at the following link: http://freskon.helexpo.gr/el/2016_CongressLahanika_prgramme)
FRESKON will feature many other parallel events, as numerous speakers will analyse crucial issues concerning the fruit & vegetable market this Friday and Saturday at Pavilions 13 and 15.
The opening of the exhibition will be held this Thursday, 21 April, at 18:30 at Pavilion 15 of Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre.
Finally, it should be noted that all the fresh fruit & vegetables brought by the exhibitors of FRESKON will be donated to the charity organisation 'The Smile of the Child' after the completion of the event.