All the BIOFACH Congress topics and forums

Healthy business operating in a healthy environment mean healthy food

The BIOFACH Congress 2019 will focus on the relationship between agriculture, processing, nutrition and health. The aim is to show where organic stands, what potential bio offers for public health, which development tasks lie ahead of the entire food industry and especially of organic food, and to highlight the contribution of organic to more sustainable diets.

You can read a detailed description of the focus topic here.

The organic sector is growing worldwide and the demand for organic food continues unabated. But growth alone is not enough. Where are the challenges? Which questions are currently occupied by the industry? The Forum BIOFACH addresses the future and development issues of the organic food industry and reflects the dynamics and diversity of the industry. The forum addresses innovation and quality awareness, sheds light on the industry environment, developments and tendencies and does not stop at critical questions.

The organic food market is and will remain competitive. Nearly a quarter of the population regularly buys organic food. But where? There is the organic food sector with farm shops, health food stores and organic supermarkets and at the same time the food retailer, which extends its organic range and supports this through costly promotions.

• 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?
• What is the motivation of young dealers and customers?

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.

But what about the organic food industry and its sustainability? The organic sector is challenged to deal actively and competently with sustainability. Because BIO is not per se sustainable, but offers answers to many questions and is the basis and starting point 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.