Startup World at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2026: This is where the future of the fresh produce business begins

Freshness needs progress. It is precisely in areas where innovation is gaining momentum most rapidly that FRUIT LOGISTICA 2026 is sending a clear signal. In Startup World (Hall 3.1), 18 international start-ups from 11 countries will present their technologies and ideas for the fresh produce business of tomorrow. These ideas are bold and practical, and the aim is not only to analyse challenges, but also to solve them.

These include AI-supported quality control and disease tracking, crop prediction, precise sensor technology, and sustainable packaging innovations. Startup World demonstrates how digitalisation, automation and new materials can strengthen the entire value chain, from cultivation to marketing.

The future is not sometime in the distant future – it's right here in Hall 3.1.

From climate change and resource scarcity to volatile markets and increasing demands for transparency, the sector is under pressure to change – and startups are providing the decisive impetus for this change. They develop sustainable solutions that boost productivity, conserve resources, improve quality control, and optimise supply chain management.

Startup World is not just an exhibition space; it is also a source of inspiration, a marketplace and a networking hub. It is a place where founders, investors, producers, retailers and logistics partners can come together to turn innovation into real projects.

These startups show what is possible

Highlights of this year's Startup World include:

• Bioscout (Australia): automated, air-based disease tracking – identifying risks early instead of reacting late
• Bonsai Robotics (USA): automation for agricultural machinery – rethinking efficiency in the field and effectively addressing labor shortages
• noriware (Switzerland): plastic-free packaging film made from seaweed grown in the ocean – packaging with a real impact
• Orbem (Germany): AI quality control for fruit and nuts using MRI technology – insights that were previously invisible

Clear the stage: 15 pitches on the Farming Forward Stage

Innovation needs to be shown and explained quickly, clearly and convincingly. That's why Startup World also features a stage program. On the Farming Forward Stage, startups will present their solutions in 15 compact pitch sessions over two days of the trade show:

• Wednesday, February 4 | 1:00–1:50 p.m.
• Thursday, February 5 | 1:00–1:50 p.m.

If you want to find out which technologies are really driving market change, this is the perfect place to gain an overview and find direct points of contact for partnerships, pilot projects and investments.

Startup World will once again make FRUIT LOGISTICA 2026 the place to be for anyone looking to shape the future. Today's ideas become tomorrow's standards, and in Hall 3.1, you can witness the rapid transformation of visions into concrete solutions.

About FRUIT LOGISTICA

FRUIT LOGISTICA is the leading trade show for the global fresh produce business, covering the entire supply chain from producer to consumer. At FRUIT LOGISTICA 2025, more than 2,600 exhibitors from over 90 countries presented their products, services, and technical solutions. The event was attended by 67,000 buyers and trade visitors from 151 countries. The next FRUIT LOGISTICA will take place in Berlin from 4 to 6 February 2026.

As part of a global network, FRUIT LOGISTICA also has a presence throughout the year. Alongside ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA and its regional meet-ups in China, Thailand and Peru, as well as the worldwide Fruitnet congresses, it brings together over 3,600 exhibitors and more than 120,000 industry experts each year.

About Messe Berlin

Berlin has been a trade fair destination for 200 years, and has been one of the most important such hubs for many decades. Messe Berlin – the state’s own trade fair company – conceives, markets and organises hundreds of live events every year. It strives to be an outstanding host for visitors at all events, generate optimal business stimuli, and provide fair conditions for everyone. This concept is reflected in the company slogan: Messe Berlin – Hosting the World.