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Greece must pay special attention to the production of quality products, of high added value and authenticity, and the promotion of extroversion, according to the Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food Ms Olympia Teligioridou, from the podium of the 5th Freskon inauguration. In fact, she stressed that Freskon provides a first class opportunity to strengthen international trade relationships in the primary sector. She characterised the event as especially important on a Greek, European, and international level, and she underlined that it is an exhibition institution that provides Greek producers with the opportunity to come into contact with international retail chains.
Deputy Minister of the Interior (of Macedonia-Thrace) Ms Eleftheria Chatzigeorgiou characterised Freskon as one of the most important fruit and vegetable expos of Southeastern Europe and the broader Mediterranean basin, stressing that this great exhibition effort, transforms Thessaloniki into a strategic hub for fruit and vegetable transportation in the Balkan peninsula and the European hinterland, through the development of cooperation networks.
The potential for Greek fruit and vegetables to conquer markets beyond Europe was underlined by the Secretary General of Agricultural Policy Mr Charalambos Kassimis, who noted that fruit and vegetables are one of the most dynamic sectors of
the agricultural industry. The Region of Central Macedonia is participating in this year’s Freskon with 25 fresh fruit and vegetable enterprises, as was announced by the Deputy Governor for Rural Development Ms Gerakina Bisbina. She also stressed that the Region is in first place in Greek agricultural production, with 85% of rice, 70% of vegetables, and 30% of cotton and cereals being produced here.
Next, the Deputy Governor of Development, Infrastructure, Networks and the Environment of the Peloponnese Ms Dina Nikolakou stressed that her Region is participating in Freskon for the fifth consecutive year, while she announced a strategic cooperation with TIF-Helexpo, for the continuous presence of the Peloponnese at its exhibition events.
Lastly, President of TIF-Helexpo Mr Tasos Tzikas noted that this year’s Freskon is more international than any before it, and that it had started off with an intense international character from the very first time it was organised. He characterised the fruit and vegetable sector as strategic for the primary sector, especially in recent years.
215 direct and indirect exhibitors from 16 countries are participating in Freskon, in comparison to 191 of the previous event, and 205 hosted buyers from 35 countries were welcomed, of whom 130 are individual hosted buyers from 33 countries and 75 are hosted buyers through group participations from the Balkans. In fact, approximately 2500 business meetings between representatives of Greek enterprises & producers and international hosted buyers have been scheduled. This year Freskon is hosting Digital Greece Freskon Edition for the first time, with 13 startup companies present.
Among the side events the International Peach Congress stands out, with the participation of renowned Greek and international speakers, which started today and which will continue tomorrow, while an important position at the expo is held by the FreshCon Market. Freskon will last until 13 April and its opening hours are the following: Friday 12 April 09:30-19:00, and Saturday 13 April 09:30-17:00.