Fruit and Vegetable exporters from Mali generate new business at Fruit Logistica 2012, with ITC support

Fruit exporters from Mali, with ITC assistance, attended Fruit Logistica 2012 in Berlin, Germany from 8 to 10 February 2012. The promotion of the horticultural sector is a key component of the Government of Mali's poverty reduction plans and international partners, such as the World Bank, CBI and USAID are also increasingly recognising the importance of the fruit and vegetables sector to Malian development.

This year's event, the 20th edition of the industry's leading trade fair, involved over 2,500 exhibitors from 84 countries who presented a full range of products and services from all levels of fruit and vegetable production and marketing. More than 56,000 trade visitors from 130 countries attended the trade fair and accompanying conferences. These visitors included all major industry decision makers and commercial partners from the wholesale and retail trades, along with fruit and vegetable growers, importers and exporters.

Representatives from ITC's Office for Africa and the Fruits and Vegetables Sector team attended the trade fair and supported the Malian delegation's work before, during and after the event.