Berlin is the place to be this week when it hosts Fruit Logistica, one of the world’s largest fresh produce shows February 8-10.

A highlight is the annual Innovation Award. The winner is chosen by more than 70,000 trade visitors from more than 130 countries who attend the exhibition. They are invited to cast their vote for the innovation of the year on the first two days of the trade fair.

A panel of experts including representatives from all sectors of the fresh produce industry has selected the following ten nominees from among more than 60 submissions for presentation to the voting public at Fruit Logistica:

"BE-Cube Demountable Pallet Box System,"Beekenkamp Verpakkingen B.V., Netherlands
A flexible, space-saving multi-purpose pallet box system which is both lightweight and completely collapsible, available with tilting and base emptying functions.

"Crisp Fresh Watermelon," Syngenta, France
A seedless watermelon cultivated specially for fresh-cut processing with firm, dark red fruit pulp, reduced liquid loss and extended shelf life.

"Knox - Delayed pinking in fresh cut lettuce," Rijk Zwaan Zaadteelt en Zaadhandel BV, Netherlands
A specially developed natural solution to delay so-called “pinking” in cut lettuce, extending shelf life at point of sale by one or two days.

"Mango Peeler & De-Cheeker," ZTI Smart Machines, Netherlands
A mango peeling and de-cheeking machine with dynamic insert clamps, specially developed spikes and fine, adjustable peeling knives for an exact, product friendly cutting process.

"Natupol Excel – Bee Vision," Koppert Biological Systems, Netherlands
A specially developed beehive to optimise pollination in the greenhouse under artificial lighting. It has integrated navigation aids for the bumble bees using reflective signals and a special coating.

"SoFruBox System," SoFruPak, Poland
A new environmentally friendly packaging system with bottomless trays and compatible individually vented SoFruMiniPak containers to optimize cooling and ventilation.

"Streamer Automatic Spiralizer," Turatti srl, Italy
A spiral cutting machine for the high volume handling of vegetables to produce pasta-like shapes such as spaghetti, tagliatelle, rings and even gnocchi-like cores.

"Sustainable Grow Bag for Tasty Tomatoes,"Greenyard Horticulture Belgium, Belgium
A fully compostable growbag filled with 100% organic substrate for the cultivation of greenhouse vegetables such as tomatoes and other products.

"The Cracking Monkey - Pili Nuts," Die Frischebox GmbH, Germany
A pre-germinated nut from the Philippines with high levels of Vitamin E, pre-scored for easy opening with the special stainless steel cracker and sold in environmentally friendly cotton bags.

"Yello – The Color of Taste," VI.P/VOG, Italy
A sweet and crunchy yellow apple variety of Shinano Gold, a Japanese cross between Golden Delicious and Senshu.

The winner will be announced February 10.  Stay tuned.