Malta and Gozo are currently participating with a national stand at the annual International Green Week in Berlin, presenting agricultural products and specialities from Malta and Gozo.

This is the fourth time that Malta and Gozo have participated in this very popular event.

The Malta and Gozo 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.

The selection of culinary delicacies from Malta offered at the stand include ftira – a Maltese bread with a delicate fluffy dough – topped with Maltese sausage, Maltese bacon, or caponata and gbejniet (a matured cheese made form sheep’s milk) which is freshly baked at the stand, as well as grilled Maltese pork sausages and baked Maltese new potatoes.

These dishes are complemented with other popular Maltese snacks such as Twistees and Tastees – a very popular crunchy snack made from puffed rice – and a wide variety of galletti served with locally made caponata from Vernon’s Foods. Maltese hazelnut nougat is also available to be savoured at the Malta stand.

The Maltese new potatoes on offer at the stand have become increasingly popular in Germany and beyond. Maltese potatoes are in fact 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 can be matched with Maltese and Gozitan wines from Meridiana, Marsovin, Delicata and Ta’ Mena wine estates. As the Malta stand also includes a corner area with set tables, visitors can sit down and enjoy their Maltese dish away from the hustle and bustle.

Freshly made artisanal ice cream in extraordinary flavours, such as Cisk Export Lager, prickly pear, chocolate-orange or ricotta and caramelised fig ice-cream is another attraction that can be savoured at the stand.

Ta’ Mena of Gozo, have a counter where visitors have 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 is 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 were most curious to watch 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 as ‘appetisers’ to show the variety of the Green week. The feature reports on the fresh ftira and unusual types of ice-cream served at the stand.

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 speciality 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 are also on display.

As well as the 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.

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