For the fourth time running Malta participated with a national stand at the annual International Green Week in Berlin, presenting agricultural products and specialties from Malta and Gozo. The Malta stand was put together by the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs with the support of the Embassy of Malta in Berlin and in cooperation with Maltese artisans and agro-food producers such as Ta’ Mena, Saliba Filigree, Quality Fruit and Vegetables and Eurocaterers.
Culinary delicacies from Malta offered at the stand included the Maltese ftira – Maltese bread with a delicate fluffy dough topped with Maltese sausage, Maltese bacon or caponata and gbejniet, as well as grilled Maltese pork sausages and baked Maltese new potatoes. These dishes were complemented with other popular Maltese snacks such as Twistees and Tastees and a wide variety of galletti served with locally made caponata from Vernon’s Foods. Maltese hazelnut nougat was also displayed at the stand.
Maltese new potatoes on offer at the stand have become increasingly popular in Germany and beyond. In fact, Maltese potatoes are today exported to Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Denmark.
In order to complete the service at the stand, the traditional foods on offer could also be matched with Maltese and Gozitan wines from Meridiana, Marsovin, Delicata and Ta’ Mena wine estates.
Freshly made ice cream in extraordinary flavours, such as Cisk Export Lager, prickly pear, chocolate-orange, ricotta and caramelised fig, was another attraction at the stand.
At the Ta’ Mena counter visitors had the opportunity to taste sweet sun-dried tomato paste, a unique Gozitan product, as well as wild capers and different jams made from prickly pear, pomegranates and bitter oranges. A large variety of wine from the Ta’ Mena estate was also on offer for tasting.
Speaking to the press, H. E. Mr Karl Xuereb, Malta’s Ambassador to Germany, noted his “satisfaction that after four years of continuous representation at the Green Week, the Maltese stand has established somewhat of a cult following among regular German visitors, who ask for specific products like Maltese sausage and pastizzi.”
Apart from the delicious food, visitors also enjoyed watching Gaetano Saliba of Saliba Gold and Silversmith demonstrating the art and handicraft of silver filigree jewellery. Visitors were impressed by the intricate precision skills and artistry required to exert this age-old Maltese craft. Various delicate pieces of jewellery were on display, such as earrings, brooches, rings and pendants.
In a feature broadcast by the famous radio and TV station RBB (covering the region of Brandenburg and Berlin) Malta was one of the countries chosen to be featured during their programmes.
The International Green Week (IGW) is one of the biggest exhibitions for food, agricultural and horticultural industries globally. Producers from around the world use the IGW to test the market for food and luxury items and establish an international brand image. Exhibitors often structure their presentations around national, regional or product themes. Presentations feature fresh produce, fish, meats and dairy products. These combine with a vast selection of specialty wine, beer and spirits. In step with consumer trends, the IGW also includes direct agricultural sales and the Bio Markt organic products section. Commercial and non-commercial agricultural, forestry and landscaping exhibits were also on display.
Apart from private consumers from Germany and neighbouring countries that flock to the fair, about 100,000 trade visitors, among them food-industry representatives, wholesalers, retailers, agricultural importers, experts in the field and around 5,000 popular media journalists visit the Green Week annually. There is also a supporting programme to the fair, including more than 300 symposia, seminars, forums and committee meetings with participants from commercial and governing bodies from the agricultural and food industries.