All the BIOFACH Congress topics and forums

In 2018, the focus of the discussions will be on the NEXT GENERATION: What ideas does the next generation of the organic sector intend to use to develop the idea, production and market of organic food? BIOFACH’s international patron, IFOAM - Organics International, and national supporting organisation, the German Federation of the Organic Food Industry (BÖLW), are joining forces with the trade fair to highlight this area.

You can read a detailed description of the focus topic here. The topic will be covered comprehensively in contributions and discussions at the congress’s various forums.

The demand for organic products remains strong and markets for sustainable healthy organic food are developing all over the world. The organic industry offers far more than “just” healthy foods, however. It offers solutions to the challenges of the future, namely the climate crisis, world hunger and resource destruction. The industry has to scrutinise itself as well though and continue to develop and generate new impetus. Only then will it be able to assert itself among the ever growing range of sustainable, environmentally friendly and locally produced products available and be recognised as THE strategic model that needs to be used to develop a sustainable food industry in the future.

The BIOFACH Forum will reflect the diversity of the organic industry, illustrate its dynamism and potential for development, cover innovation and quality awareness, shine a light on its environment, developments and tendencies, and will also not shy away from dealing with critical questions.

Quo vadis, specialist trade? The discordance in the sector and between every player in the retail trade is high and is constantly growing. The latest statistics report a decline in sales in the specialist trade, and yet there are specialist retailers who are continuing to generate a significant growth in sales:

What makes a specialist store if “organic” is no longer sufficient as unique selling point in competition with food retailers?

What prospects for the future do I have as an independent organic retailer in a sector which is becoming increasingly focussed?

What product ranges, strategies, services and price quotations are attractive?

How can manufacturers and retailers work together to boost the profile of the specialist trade?

Potential for the “Next Generation” can be found in the specialist trade! What are the young retailers and customers starting?

The Forum Fachhandel in hall 9 will pick up on future-relevant themes of the organic industry and discuss how specialist stores can incorporate them. The aim is to bring the players together, create a platform for dialogue and the sharing of experiences, have practitioners produce themes for practitioners and also ask for ideas from outside the industry.

Sustainability has many facets. Reducing CO2 emissions, conserving resources such as soil, water and fossil energy, and dealing with employees and suppliers fairly are all examples that have to be taken into consideration if there is to be a consistent focus on sustainability.

The industry has to tackle sustainability actively and competently, because it is not sustainable per se, but does offer solutions to many problems as well as a foundation and links for credible sustainable concepts.

The Politics Forum will draw attention to topics that have a direct effect on the framework conditions created for the organic food industry. Industry players, politicians and representatives from state organizers are invited to express and discuss their points of view – because it’s clear to us that regardless of whether you’re a famer, a manufacturer, an importer, a regular retailer, a trade or a specialist store, you need stable and reliable framework conditions to face the challenges of the future.

The relevant laws (e.g. national and EU organic legislation) and organic action plans and programmes as well as international bilateral agreements play a crucial role here. You can expect critical, controversial and constructive discussions on current political topics affecting the organic industry at the Politics Forum.

The Science Forum offers a platform for dialogue between scientists, practitioners and advisors. Research projects have to be adapted to practice, and research findings have to be communicated and discussed with the industry. What actually results from research findings and how can they be incorporated in practice. Discussions on problems and research findings, especially findings from the areas of processing, trade, food quality and marketing, are what we require here.