Dear readers,
Half a year has passed since 2025 - time to take stock. And to be honest: I would have liked many developments to have been different. The war in Ukraine continues, the situation in the Middle East is dramatic, and Donald Trump is playing chess with tariffs in the USA again - not for the first time, but always with new surprises. Global tensions, fragile markets, a climate of uncertainty - all of this is with us, whether we like it or not.
Of course I know that none of us can solve these crises alone. But everyone can play their own part. Taking responsibility, listening and creating spaces in which dialogue, trust and a future are possible. The summer is already showing me this: when I see family and friends again, in the office with colleagues or during a brief conversation at the supermarket checkout. These moments remind us of what really sustains us: community. There have also been moments like this in my professional life recently - for example at the 125th anniversary of the Waren-Verein der Hamburger Börse e.V. in Hamburg City Hall. An association that has been strengthening reliable partnerships for over a century and is committed to fair, sustainable trade.
Such networks are more important today than ever before. They connect, offer orientation in times of upheaval - and open our eyes to the future. This is exactly what Anuga, the world's largest trade fair for food and beverages, will do this year from 4 to 8 October 2025 in Cologne. Its guiding theme: "Sustainable Growth". And also in focus: questions that concern us all: How does an industry grow responsibly? How do we use technology to conserve resources instead of wasting them? And what role does AI play in this? Preparations are also underway at our company and we will be on site with an exhibition stand.
Which makes me optimistic: The food industry is not standing still. It is looking for solutions. Anyone who takes responsibility today - whether as a producer, retailer or restaurateur - is not only shaping products, but also the future. And that can only be done together. After all, food and nutrition are far more than just an economic sector: they are an anchor that creates connection, community and enjoyment - especially in turbulent times like these.
We wish you a summer full of wonderful moments,
Thomas Schneidawind
