The first day of the trade fair featured, among other events, the official tour of the exhibition stands, including Poland’s pavilion, by the German Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture. It also included bilateral discussions held by Minister Siekierski and presentations of Polish products at the ‘Poland Tastes Good’ (‘Polen schmeckt’) stand.

During breaks between discussions, Minister Czesław Siekierski, who leads the Polish delegation at the fair, toured the stands and engaged in conversations with Polish exhibitors and representatives of regional delegations.

Official Opening of the Trade Fair

As part of the ceremonial opening of the fair, an official tour took place, during which Poland’s stand was visited by Cem Özdemir, the German Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture. The event was also attended by EU Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen and the Mayor of Berlin Kai Wegner. Polish chefs treated the guests to a variety of Polish culinary specialities.

‘We are a significant producer and exporter of food. In 2023, the value of Poland’s agri-food exports amounted to approximately €52 billion. Participation in food trade fairs is an excellent way to promote Polish products and helps to maintain the upward trend in their export volume,’ stated Minister Siekierski.

Polish National Stand

At the stand organised by the National Support Centre for Agriculture (KOWR), spanning 184 m², food industry entrepreneurs are showcasing their offerings.

Visitors to the Berlin fair have the opportunity to sample a variety of Polish products, including curd cheese, cheeses, buttermilk, kefir (a fermented milk drink), fish and fish products, and soups made with sourdough starter, such as żur (a sour cereal soup), chrzanówka (a horseradish soup), white borscht, and red borscht. Other offerings include honey products, fruit and nut bars, dried fruits and vegetables, chocolate-covered fruits, dumplings, and unpasteurised beers.

The stand also features the Women’s Rural Circle (Koło Gospodyń Wiejskich, KGW), which won the final of the 9th edition of the culinary competition Bitwa Regionów (Battle of the Regions). The winning team, KGW Feniks Noskowo-Radomice-Strzyżewo, hails from the Wielkopolskie Voivodeship.

Daily at the Polish stand, visitors can enjoy tastings and culinary shows led by Polish chefs, who present Polish cuisine in both its traditional and modern forms.

‘We are very warmly received here. Visitors' interest in the Polish stand is always remarkably high,’ emphasised Minister Siekierski during his conversations with journalists at the Polish stand.

About the Event

The Internationale Grüne Woche (International Green Week) is a Berlin-based international exhibition dedicated to the food economy, agriculture, and horticulture. Established in 1926, this year marks its 89th edition. The fair takes place annually in January at the Messe Berlin exhibition halls and this year will run from Friday, 17 January, to Sunday, 26 January.

The event attracts approximately half a million visitors each year, offering them the opportunity to sample beverages, products, and dishes from all corners of the globe.

Producers from around the world showcase a wide array of items, including food (with a particular emphasis on organic and regional products), supplies for agriculture, forestry, and horticulture, livestock, kitchen equipment, and garden furnishings. The exhibition also highlights rural development initiatives.

The fair serves as a vital meeting point and an excellent platform for sharing knowledge and building networks. During Green Week, significant attention is given to pressing social issues, such as climate protection, the circular economy, resource conservation, and sustainable land use.

Every year, the Green Week also hosts the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA), which brings together dozens of ministers of economy, environment, agriculture, and development from around the world.