Saxony with 20 exhibitors at Green Week

Saxony's agricultural and food sector is represented by 20 exhibitors at this year's Green Week in Berlin (January 16 to 25). This year, for the first time, two training institutions from the Free State of Saxony will be exhibiting at the world's largest trade fair for food, agriculture and horticulture: the Berufliches Schulzentrum (BSZ) für Agrarwirtschaft und Ernährung and the Duale Hochschule Sachsen, as announced by the Ministry of Agriculture.

"We are very grateful and very proud that this has come about," said Anja Unger, principal of the BSZ, at the presentation of the trade fair appearance. The vocational students are already excited to present their apprenticeships to the visitors. The demand for skilled workers is high, which is why they want to work together with the companies to ensure that young people find their way into the food and green professions.

Highlights: Pasta machine and star chef

The 29 participating companies and eight associations and initiatives represent the more than 8,300 Saxon companies and almost 72,000 employees in the sector, said Agriculture Minister Ludwig von Breitenbuch (CDU). They will be presenting a number of new products in Berlin. For example, pasta manufacturer Teigwaren Riesa and its partner New Age of Food are presenting an AI-supported vending machine that prepares pasta dishes.

Another highlight is the show kitchen under the motto "Saxony tastes good" in cooperation with the Saxony Hotel and Restaurant Association (Dehoga). Among other things, star chef and TV chef Robin Pietsch is scheduled to make an appearance there.

Focus on dialog and exchange

The Green Week is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. It sees itself as a platform for direct exchange with consumers and for dialog within the food and agricultural industry. 300,000 visitors are expected.

According to Breitenbuchs, the costs for Saxony's presence at the trade fair amount to just under 800,000 euros. Exhibitors are covering 108,000 euros of this, with the remainder being financed by tax revenue. The Saxony Economic Development Corporation (WFS) is once again responsible for organization and support.

During the budget negotiations last year, the Free State's participation in the trade fair was on the brink of collapse. The decision was only made when the budget was approved in the summer. Compared to last year, the presence is significantly smaller: Saxony is sharing a hall with Berlin this year.