SUCCESSFUL TRADE FAIR SHOWS RESILIENCE AGRICULTURAL AND GREEN INDUSTRY

From January 12 to 15, 2023, the twelfth edition of the biennial Agriflanders trade fair took place in Ghent. Visitors from the agricultural and green sector attended en masse. Despite the many challenges in these sectors, the atmosphere was remarkably positive and combative. Afterwards, both visitors and exhibitors were wildly enthusiastic about the event.

After four years of waiting, it was finally time again: at Flanders Expo Ghent, the organizers of Agriflanders rolled out the red carpet for farmers, horticulturists and professionals from the green sector. "And they signed up en masse, with a total of 67,000 visitors during four exciting days of the fair," confirms event manager Gunther De Mey. '"344 exhibitors put their best foot forward to amaze them with innovative and sustainable solutions, from air scrubbers to low-emission floors, and from the latest generation of tractors and articulated loaders to the most powerful garden tools."

Resilience and togetherness

This biennial high mass for the agriculture and garden sector was not only the place to be to keep up with new applications and machines, but also to meet colleagues and exchange ideas. 

"There was more than enough to talk about, partly because of the many challenges the sectors are facing," De Mey looks back. "The exploding prices for energy and raw materials, the nitrogen issue, the new manure action plan...: during Agriflanders, all current themes passed in review. But despite the dark clouds gathering over the agricultural and green sector, it was remarkable how resilient and positive the visitors showed themselves. It was clear that after four years, visitors and exhibitors alike were happy to meet up again. I clearly noticed that for many participants our event was an ideal opportunity to air their concerns. The sense of solidarity was enormous. Agriflanders proved how resilient the sectors present were and are."

Wide range of socially relevant topics

A survey of participants showed that they were very complimentary about the wide range of products and services that were on display during Agriflanders. "Thanks to the cooperation of hundreds of exhibitors, we were able to address a lot of relevant social themes," De Mey points out. "Because more than ever, agricultural, horticultural and green professionals are actively engaged in innovative and sustainable business."

"One of the topics covered extensively was emission-reducing nitrogen technologies. Several exhibitors showed applications in such areas as nitrogen stripping, emission-reducing feed, manure shovels - which push manure away faster in barns so that fewer vapors are released -, low-emission barn floors and methane tractors. Of course, in these times of high energy costs, there was also a lot of interest in generating renewable energy, with windmills and others in the spotlight."

"Another important social issue is animal welfare. Our Flemish farmers are already making great efforts in this area as well. Scattered throughout our exhibition halls you could therefore find various products that promote animal welfare, such as brushes and cow mattresses. And the role of farmers as food producers was also not to be missed during our trade fair."

Continue to invest in attractive trade show

The success of the 2023 edition of Agriflanders is all the more promising for the years to come, according to De Mey. 

"We continue to work hard to further fine-tune our trade fair, both organizationally and commercially. As the agriculture and green space sectors continue to evolve at lightning speed - including the breakthrough of digitalization and new technologies - we want to continue to offer our exhibitors and participants a platform to meet each other, showcase inspiring solutions, and refuel confidence together to continue working in unison."