Finland’s number one trading partner across all sectors is Germany, which however is only in fourth among EU countries when it comes to food exports. That is something that is about to change: Europe’s northeasternmost country is the partner country of the International Green Week Berlin (IGW) 2019 and will be launching an export offensive at the world's leading consumer exhibition for agriculture, the food industry and horticulture. The Green Week will take place from 18 to 27 January 2019 in Berlin, and more than 50 Finnish exhibitors will be showcasing their local products in Hall 10.2.
In 2017 Finland exported goods worth a total of 60.1 billion euros, 14.2 per cent of which went to Germany (GTAI Report, May 2018). At the same time, food exports accounted for around 2.2 per cent, equivalent to 1.6 billion euros, only 75 million of which were exported to the Germany market (Finnish Food and Drink Industries Federation, ETL, 2018).
Speaking at a press meeting for German journalists yesterday in Helsinki, Jari Leppä, Finland’s minister of agriculture, outlined the country’s intentions for the Green Week:
”Promoting food exports is one of the Finnish government’s main goals. We want to explore new markets with our products and get German consumers to find out more about Nordic specialities. Finnish delicacies include innovative oat and rye-based products, tasty beers as well as meat and fish. It is an honour for us to present these products at the Green Week, one of the leading events for culinary specialities in all of Europe. As the Green Week's northernmost partner country to date, we would like to take this opportunity to promote Finland’s lifestyle, show that we are close to nature and demonstrate our appreciation of Finnish architecture and timeless designs to interested visitors.”
From the wild
Finland will be represented in Berlin with the slogan ‘From the Wild’. It reflects the spirit of Finland, where nature and traditional values play a key part – in everyday life, business, society and particularly in the farming and forestry sector. The Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK) is organising Finland’s participation in the fair, in partnership with the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Foreign Ministry, The Central Union of Swedish-speaking Agricultural Producers in Finland, the Finnish embassy, the Finland Institute in Germany, as well as the international marketing organisations Business Finland and Visit Finland.
The International Green Week will take place on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds from 18 to 27 January 2019. More than 1.700 exhibitors from 65 countries will be represented at the world’s largest trade fair for agriculture, the food industry and horticulture. 400,000 trade visitors and members of the general public are expected to attend. Finland is taking part for the twenty-fifth time – its stand can be found in Hall 10.2.