Optimism at start of new gardening year

Attendance at Gafa and Spoga, inclusive of estimates for the final day, was the same as last year, with 48 000 trade visitors from 96 countries, 18 000 of them from abroad. Participating at Gafa on a gross exhibition space of 117 300 m² were 1 193 suppliers from 44 countries, 61 per cent of whom came from abroad. The high level of internationalism among exhibitors and trade visitors alike is a sign of the growing globalisation of the garden market.
Although Europe provided the bulk of the foreign trade visitors, the growth of interest from overseas was unmistakable. The current Europeanisation of the garden market is complemented by globalisation – also as a logical consequence of large concerns operating worldwide. Over and above this, high levels of investment by major DIY chains in central and eastern Europe are directing the focus of the garden industry more intensely towards this region.
There has been an intensification of multimedia communication between manufacturers and their real or potential customers. Companies are increasingly offering their customers information through the internet in addition to personal consultations on the stand.
In the area of garden technology, the refinement of detail is taking the place of great innovations as is multi-functionality in tools. Ease of handling, safety and resistance to wear are the crucial features, both for lawn tractors and chainsaws and for multifunctional hand tools such as hoes, shovels and shears.
The customary broad spectrum of products was on view, ranging from planters, sculptures and fountains in the decorative category, to the floristry sector and through to wooden structural elements and greenhouses.
One of the trends among biochemical products is the combination of fertilisers with ecological pest control. New in the live plants category above all are a wider spectrum of plant colours as well as resistance to pests and the influences of weather. In the category of pet products, the trend is toward low-calory and nutritious foodstuffs as well as toys that are colourfast and safety approved.
 Gafa/Spoga saw the attendance of 48 000 trade visitors from 96 countries in Cologne
Special exhibitions, seminars and rendezvous for the industry dominated this year’s peripheral programme. Visitors to the special “Security in the garden centre” exhibition experienced a garden centre displaying the very latest aspects of security – from incoming goods to the customer exit. The floristry exhibition conveyed…