BERLIN, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- One of the world's leading trade fairs for food, agriculture, and horticulture opened to visitors on Friday in the German capital, Berlin.
Key themes at the 90th edition of Berlin's Green Week this year include food prices and food security at a time of heightened international tensions.
Soaring food prices remain a top public concern, with over 68 percent of respondents to a recent survey by the Federation of German Consumer Organisations saying higher living costs are most noticeably reflected in food prices.
"Since 2020, we have seen a 35 percent increase in food prices, but this has not led to an increase in farmers' incomes," Matthias Miersch, head of the parliamentary group of Germany's Social Democratic Party, said during a panel discussion at the start of the fair.
Sustainability is another focus for this Green Week. Organizers said the challenges posed by climate change will be addressed not only by expert panels but also through hands-on exhibits across the fair.
Opening the event, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said: "How we want to live and how we want to feed ourselves are major questions for the future that will be discussed at the Green Week."
The event is also celebrating the 100-year anniversary of its launch in February 1926. Around 1,600 exhibitors from 50 countries are showcasing their products at this year's fair, which runs through Jan. 25. Organizers said that around 325,000 visitors are expected. ■