The 39th edition of the international trade fair for the fruit and vegetable industry will be held until 6 May at the Rimini Expo Center (Italy). It features a total of 830 exhibitors on an area of 40,000 square metres.
«Macfrut is a positive sign that the industry is recovering», said Stefano Patuanelli, Italian Minister for Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies, in his opening speech at the 39th edition of Macfrut, the international trade fair for the fresh produce industry, currently running at the Rimini Expo Center until Friday 6 May.
The event, which brings together the entire agricultural supply chain, has made available to the industry the latest technologies in logistics, packaging, agronomic management, fertilizers, labeling, nurseries, among others.
“Despite the global uncertainty and tension surrounding the war in Ukraine, this year’s Macfrut has started with a lot of optimism. In fact, although it is taking place only eight months after the last edition, the figures for the event reflect a return to normality, with a total gross surface area of 40,000 square metres and 830 exhibitors, 28% of which are foreign,” said Renzo Piraccini, President of Macfrut.
Regarding international participation, Maurizio Martina, Assistant Director-General of FAO, who also participated in the opening ceremony of Macfrut, said: “We are facing selective globalisation and, for this reason, relations with Africa are of strategic importance. I am pleased that this trade fair is allowing this spirit of partnership and cooperation to become even stronger. We are in the midst of an energy crisis that is dramatically increasing production costs for agricultural companies, and agricultural techniques are changing significantly: there is no way out. Innovation must be within everyone’s reach. We are working hard to put together a puzzle by pooling our energies: this trade fair is a fantastic opportunity to pool our expertise. Macfrut is not just about business, but also about cooperation.”
Macfrut is a meeting between all the actors in the fruit and vegetable industry, from producers, exporters, agrochemical companies, new technologies, post-harvest, importers, etc. Roberto Luongo, General Manager of ICE-Agenzia – Italian Trade Agency, spoke about this event, stating the objective of this important event: “Our strategic objective for the next three years is to make Macfrut a leading trade fair in Europe. For the good of the Italian industry, Macfrut must become a European and global event where all professionals working in the fruit and vegetable sector can meet. It is an opportunity for the Italian industry to present itself to the world by showcasing its excellence, its know-how and the direct experiences of companies and professionals who play an important and distinctive role in the production of high-quality Made in Italy products.”«.
Luca Maestripieri, Director of AICS (Italian Agency for Development Cooperation): “AICS has always believed in this fair, and we are now reassured by the great response we have received from the actors involved, many of whom are from abroad and are already cooperating with us. This year, Africa is also a major theme, as we have nine offices in Africa and will soon open another one in Nigeria.”
In terms of content, there is plenty on offer throughout the fair, proving that Macfrut is a well-established trade event during which the technical issues facing the industry are explored. The International Cherry Symposium is currently taking place, which has attracted over 350 experts from around the world and major players.
A special mention for Macfrut Field Solution, a large dual-dynamic area showcasing the main technologies in the field, such as irrigation systems, mulching systems and sensors applied to cherry cultivation and agriculture 4.0, with drones and robots in action.
Despite the current uncertainties, there are many foreign participants. Africa, a continent of opportunities, will have a strong presence: a total of 200 professionals from the sector will attend, as well as delegations from Angola, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal, Somalia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. As for non-EU countries, there are also many participants from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Uzbekistan, Indonesia and Vietnam.
