The organisers of IPM ESSEN (28-31 January 2020) have announced that France is to be the show’s partner country for next year’s event.

A partner country traditionally accompanies the fair. Under the slogan ‘Quality & Innovation. The French Touch!",  visitors will be offered the opportunity to discover innovative new products from top breeders and producers from all over France. A wide range of products produced in the varied climatic conditions in France will be on display.

Mikael Mercier, chairman of VAL'HOR, the French trade body for the national ornamental plant industry, said IPM Essen had become the most important platform for French plant exporters.

The CEO of Messe Essen, Oliver P. Kuhrt, said France had been one of the most important exhibiting nations for decades and is a popular horticultural country internationally. “We are delighted to be able to give the French exhibitors an exclusive platform with IPM ESSEN 2020 and our trade fair visitors real added value," he added.

The French flower and plant breeders will move from the Galeria into the new Hall 6. The French nurseries will be in Hall 7 as usual. Many other French plant exporters, substrate suppliers and plant pot manufacturers will also participate.

French horticulture employs around around 19,000 people across 3,600 companies, with a combined turnover of €1,6 billion. Horticultural retail and wholesale trade in France comprises 19,000 companies, 58,000 jobs and €7billion turnover.