During a tour of the exhibition, Chancellor Angela Merkel underlined the importance of the services provided by the agriculture and food sector. She was accompanied by Federal Agriculture Minister Ilse Aigner. At the Dutch stand, they met Sharon Dijsma, Minister of Agriculture in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands are this year’s partner country at the International Green Week (IGW). The Netherlands are also Germany’s second largest trading partner: it is difficult to imagine German markets and shops without Dutch flowers and Gouda.

Bringing together the town and the country

Angela Merkel praised the services performed by the agriculture and food sector. In our technology-oriented time, she said, it is important to present these. "The Green Week is a tradition, an event that brings together the town and the country," declared the Chancellor. Children can see here where food really comes from.

The Chancellor pointed out that consumers are becoming increasingly discerning in terms of the quality of products. This exhibition, she said is also, "a hub for international dialogue on quality and sustainability".

Where does food come from?

The International Green Week not only offers the opportunity to taste and enjoy the many products on offer. Visitors can also find out more about food and where it comes from. A great many consumers are interested in finding out where the products they buy originate, and who produces them. For this reason, regional produce is a focus of the International Green Week.

Agriculture and the food industry are mainstays of the German economy. German products are appreciated worldwide and demand for food products made in Germany continues to rise.

Consumers trust German agriculture

German consumers are very satisfied with the quality and diversity of products on offer declared Ilse Aigner at the opening ceremony on 17 January. Agriculture accepts responsibility for people, animals and the environment, and makes our rural areas an attractive home. "For their dedication and all their work I would like to thank our farmers," she said.

German agriculture has every reason to approach to new year with confidence, continued Ilse Aigner. A recent opinion poll showed that 81 per cent of those interviewed trusted German agriculture to a high degree.

The International Green Week is the world’s largest consumer exhibition in the food sector. It has been held in Berlin since 1926. Some 420,000 visitors from around the world are expected. 1,642 exhibitors from 56 countries will be showing their culinary traditions and innovations from 18 to 27 January 2013.

Forum for agriculture and food policy

The Green Week is now also the international forum for agriculture and food policy. Ministers and deputy ministers from 84 states have accepted the invitation of Federal Agriculture Minister Ilse Aigner to attend the Berlin Summit of Agriculture Ministers within the scope of the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA).

Their discussions touch a key issue in international agricultural policy: How can we manage to raise investment in agriculture around the globe? And how can we ensure that the rights and interests of the local population in developing countries are also protected?