These are the 2026 expoSE & expoDirekt Innovation Award winners
Bruchsal, 3 November 2026. Five exhibitors will be awarded the 2026 expoSE or expoDirekt Innovation Prize on 18 November 2026 for their innovative products as part of the twin trade fairs. An independent panel of experts assessed 32 entries based on criteria including the degree of innovation, benefits for users and commercial success. The award-winning products make the day-to-day work of asparagus and/or soft fruit growers easier, save time, labour and costs and also focus on quality assurance, quality improvement and sustainability.
“We are delighted that we once again received so many entries for the Innovation Award. There were several interesting and promising innovations among them, making it a neck-and-neck race, particularly amongst the expoSE entries. I congratulate the winners and wish them every success,” explains Simon Schumacher, VSSE Board Spokesperson.
The following innovations were honoured with an expoSE Innovation Award 2026:
Böckenhoff Folien GmbH from Raesfeld-Erle
Green asparagus net for protection against insect pests
Böckenhoff Folien GmbH has developed a net specifically for green asparagus cultivation. The green asparagus net combines plant protection with optimal growing conditions by reducing the influx of asparagus weevils and other insect pests whilst supporting the straight growth of the asparagus spears. It thus contributes to quality assurance and yields up to 30 per cent more harvestable produce. The high-quality white net is made of HDPE+, has a weight per unit area of 75 g/m² and a mesh size of 0.5 × 0.5 mm. Thanks to its sewn pockets, it is ideally suited for use in green asparagus cultivation and helps ensure a consistently high harvest quality. Further information is available at expoSE, Hall 2, Stand K22, or at www.ehmo-tec-folien.de
Photo (credit: Böckenhoff Folien):
Lommers Tuinbouwmachines from Bergeijk (Netherlands)
Further development of the selective harvesting robot for asparagus
Using a camera – and from 2027, two cameras with a detection width of 65 cm – Lommers’ asparagus harvesting robot selectively harvests white asparagus spears. The machine operates on the same principle as a conventional manual harvester and can be used both day and night. It is mounted on a compact frame, driven by a rubber-track drive and a diesel engine, and supported at the front by a swivel wheel so that it can rotate around its own axis. An operator, seated at the rear of the machine, collects the harvested asparagus spears from the asparagus bed whilst simultaneously checking their quality.
To prevent the two harvesting units from becoming overloaded when there are many stones in the ground – which could damage the gearbox – the harvesting units will be fitted with a slip clutch from 2027 onwards. In addition, an option is available that allows asparagus to be harvested under mini-tunnels using M-bends. Further information is available at expoSE, Hall 1, Stand E22, or at www.lommerstuinbouwmachines.com
Photo (credit: Lommers): https://download.vsse.de/expoSE_expoDirekt/2026/Innovationspreisgewinner/Lommers_Spargelstechmaschine.jpg
4Disc from Dortmund and Thees Dammtec from Wardenburg
Vacuuming of insect pests from strawberry plants
VENTURO is a product of Thees Dammtec GmbH, developed in collaboration with 4DISC GmbH. The machine’s operating principle combines targeted airflow with extraction: as it passes over the strawberry plants, a stream of air displaces them, dislodging any insect pests present. The dislodged insects are extracted from the crop by powerful fans and mechanically killed inside the machine. The first VENTURO machine for ridges has been in practical use in a strawberry crop since 2026. According to the manufacturer, practical experience to date shows very good results in reducing pest populations. VENTURO thus enables the physical and mechanical reduction of insect pests without the use of chemical plant protection products. The method is particularly designed for pests relevant to strawberry cultivation, such as thrips, stink bugs and cherry fruit flies. At expoSE, a version specifically designed for rack cultivation will also be on display for the first time.
Further information is available at expoSE, Hall 2, Stand M10, or at www.4disc.de and www.thees-dammtec.de
Photo (credit: 4Disc): https://download.vsse.de/expoSE_expoDirekt/2026/Innovationspreisgewinner/VENTURO_Thees_Dammtec_4Disc.jpeg
The following innovations were honoured with an expoDirekt Innovation Award 2026:
Gerd Thom from Völklingen
Comprehensive digital solution for managing and administering the farm shop
Gerd Thom GmbH is launching TallyPay at expoDirekt for the management of farm shops. The standout feature of this product is the seamless integration of payment, access control and comprehensive farm shop management via ucOne, a software programme developed in-house by Gerd Thom GmbH. The core of the innovation lies in the interplay of all components to form a comprehensive solution that supports both the purchasing and the day-to-day operation of the farm shop. It enables the management and control of scales, electronic price labelling, digital signage, access control and loyalty cards, as well as bookkeeping and reporting. Operators can organise their farm shop on a decentralised basis and gain shared access to the various functional areas.
For customers, this approach is made tangible through a single rechargeable loyalty card. It enables both access to the farm shop and payment for purchases. The credit balance can be topped up flexibly at the in-shop terminal or via a website. This allows parents to provide their children with a shopping budget without having to give them cash or their own bank card.
Further information is available at expoDirekt, Hall 1, Stand B12, or at www.gerdthom.de
Photo (credit: Gerd Thom): https://download.vsse.de/expoSE_expoDirekt/2026/Innovationspreisgewinner/TALLYPAY_Keyvisual.jpg
sg Ladenbau, Talheim near Heilbronn
Self-service display system for fresh baked goods
The SG BakeFrame 40/60 is a modular self-service display system for fresh baked goods. The specially developed top section is placed directly onto standard bakery crates, Euro-pool crates or wicker baskets measuring 40 × 60 cm. This enables farm shops and other direct sellers to display bakery products hygienically, attractively and clearly, without the need for permanently installed, space-consuming shelving. The powder-coated steel frame is fitted with a transparent, robust acrylic panel. A soft-close hinge ensures that the flap lowers slowly and smoothly once released. A handle plate allows for easy opening, whilst integrated recessed handles make it easier to attach and remove the basket. On the side, there is a holder for a pair of tongs or a glove. The system can be integrated into existing shelving, on sales counters or other display surfaces without the need for installation. The number and arrangement of the modules can be adjusted at any time to suit the time of day, season and actual demand. It is ready for use in a matter of seconds.
Further information is available at expoDirekt, Hall 2, Stand H30, or at www.sg-ladenbau.de
Photo (credit: sg Ladenbau): https://download.vsse.de/expoSE_expoDirekt/2026/Innovationspreisgewinner/SG_BakeFrame.png
The expert jury
An independent expert jury assessed the entries and awarded the prizes. The members of the jury are:
Annette Althausen, Junior Consultant for Berry Crops, North Rhine-Westphalia Chamber of Agriculture, Straelen/Cologne-Auweiler Horticultural Research Centre
Stefan Blümel, asparagus and soft fruit grower
Dominic Ell, soft fruit grower
Ute Heimann, Editor-in-Chief of HOFdirekt
Isabelle Kokula, Official Adviser on Asparagus Cultivation, Karlsruhe District Office
Thomas Kühlwetter, Editor-in-Chief of Spargel & Erdbeer Profi
expoSE & expoDirekt 2026
For the anniversary edition of expoSE & expoDirekt, the Association of South German Asparagus and Strawberry Growers (VSSE – Verband Süddeutscher Spargel- und Erdbeeranbauer e. V.), the organiser of the trade fair duo, expects more than 440 exhibitors from 19 countries and over 5,000 trade visitors from more than 30 nations at the Karlsruhe Exhibition Centre from 18 to 19 November 2026. The 30th expoSE – Europe’s leading trade fair for asparagus and berry production, stone fruit cultivation and open-field vegetables – and the 15th expoDirekt – Germany’s largest trade fair for direct marketing of agricultural produce – will showcase a diverse range of innovations and tried-and-tested products and solutions.
The two trade fairs will be open on Wednesday 18 November 2026 from 9 am to 6 pm and on Thursday 19 November 2026 from 9 am to 5 pm. A standard day ticket costs 16 euros, whilst a multi-day ticket costs 30 euros. The price includes the trade fair catalogue and fold-out map, as well as the supporting programme (Asparagus Day, Berry Technology Forum, Bush Berry Forum, Stone Fruit Forum, Direct Marketers’ Forum). Please note: Visitors aged 25 and under are admitted free of charge but must register via the ticket shop. Tickets are already available in advance online from the ticket shop: https://www.messe-ticket.de/KMK_SHOP/expoSE-expoDirekt
The Karlsruhe Exhibition Centre is easily accessible by car, train and plane. Further information on travel and accommodation: https://www.expo-se.de/en/anreise-uebernachtung/ A free exhibition shuttle (Messe-Express) runs between Karlsruhe’s main station (forecourt) and the Karlsruhe Exhibition Centre. Here are the departure times. Further information is available at www.expo-se.de/en
The Association of South German Asparagus and Strawberry Growers (VSSE)
The Association of South German Asparagus and Strawberry Growers (VSSE) is Germany’s largest association of asparagus and strawberry growers, with around 630 members. Since 1996, it has organised expoSE – Europe’s leading trade fair for asparagus and soft fruit cultivation – and, since 2011, has also organised Germany’s largest agricultural direct marketing trade fair, expoDirekt.
Further information can be found at www.vsse.de
Contacts:
Verband Süddeutscher Spargel- und Erdbeeranbauer e.V. (VSSE) /
Association of South German Asparagus and Strawberry Growers e.V.
Werner-von-Siemens-Str. 2–6 / Building 5161
D-76646 Bruchsal
Simon Schumacher, Managing Director / Spokesperson for the Executive Board
Tel.: +49 (0)7251 3032080
Isabelle Bohnert, Press and Public Relations Officer
Tel.: +49 (0)7251 3032184
