Its 10th edition was inaugurated
“Freskon has established itself as the most important international meeting for the fresh fruits and vegetables sector in our wider geographical neighborhood,” noted the Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr. Ioannis Andrianos, during the opening of the 10th edition of the International Trade Event for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition & Congress Center.
“It is a meeting point for production with the market, entrepreneurship and extroversion, creating substantial opportunities for the excellent products of Greek land to gain new promotion prospects, new trade routes and new partnerships,” he stressed, underlining that fruit and vegetables constitute one of the most dynamic sectors of Greek production.
From his side, the Deputy Minister of Interior, responsible for Macedonia–Thrace issues, Mr. Konstantinos Gkioulekas, noted that it is very important that such an exhibition is held here, in the “heart” of Macedonia, in Greece, as our country is one of the leading producers of fresh products, which travel not only across Europe but around the world. Mr. Gkioulekas also made special reference to the New TIF together with a large 120-acre park which, as he said, will be enjoyed by Thessaloniki.
The Chairman of the Board of TIF-HELEXPO, Mr. Christos Tsentemeidis, underlined the important role of Freskon for the fresh fruits and vegetables sector, stressing that in a constantly changing world, while product quality is a necessary condition, it is not sufficient on its own, as remaining competitive requires supporting networks, presence in the right markets and access to decision-makers. He also made special reference to this year’s focus on the Balkans, as well as to the hosting of a business delegation from the central market of Madrid, a development that is the result of Freskon’s extroversion also towards Western Europe.
A priority and long-standing objective of the Region of Central Macedonia is to develop synergies and policies to maximize the added value of production, as noted by the Deputy Regional Governor for Agricultural Economy of the Region of Central
Macedonia, Mr. Giorgos Kefalas. He also stressed that Central Macedonia is the leading Region in the country in fruit and vegetable exports.
Freskon was described as a living mechanism of development, extroversion and cooperation by the Deputy Mayor for Innovation, Startups, Volunteering and Youth of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, Mr. Spyros Tzelepis, who added that the exhibition has now been established as one of the most important international meeting points for the fresh fruits and vegetables sector.
The continuously upward trajectory of the fresh fruits and vegetables sector was also highlighted by the Director of FROUTONEA magazine, Mr. Panagiotis Orfanos, who noted that Freskon contributes to the marketing of products and has succeeded in enhancing their reputation.
Freskon, which was inaugurated today and will be completed on April 25, hosts 230 exhibitors with direct participation from 10 countries in an exhibition area of 12,500 m2. It has attracted professionals from 30 countries, of which 122 are major importing companies, who will carry out approximately 2,600 scheduled B2B meetings with exhibitors during the event. At the center of commercial interest is also the “FreshCon Market” section, an initiative carried out in collaboration with FRUITONEA magazine, bringing producers together with representatives of organized retail, specifically 16 retail chains from Greece and abroad.
The exhibition opening hours are as follows: Friday 10:00–19:00 and Saturday 10:00–17:00.
