From 8 to 10 May 2024 at the Rimini Expo Centre, 1,400 exhibitors (+22%), of which 40% are foreign, and 1,500 high-level buyers. Thematic exhibitions, with a global focus on Table Grapes, the Arabian Peninsula and the Puglia Region as partner areas. Fruit and vegetables, a strategic sector for Italy: a production of 16 billion Euros and exports of 11.6 billion (fresh and processed products).
The fruit and vegetable sector from all over the world will meet at Macfrut, at the Rimini Expo Centre, from 8 to 10 May 2024. A 41st edition with unprecedented figures: 1,400 exhibitors representing the entire sector (+22%); an increase in the exhibition area that will reach 34,000 net square meters (+20%) with places sold out for at least three months; an increasingly important presence of foreign exhibitors, to the point of representing the 40% of the total and convert to Macfrut at the most international agri-food event on the Italian scene. Besides, 1,500 high-end buyers from all over the world thanks to the fundamental support of Agenzia Ice (Agency for the promotion abroad and internationalization of Italian companies), exhibitions topics on sector trends coordinated by a team of experts, a double testing ground of about 3,000 square meters on horticultural innovation and More than a hundred events during the three days of exhibition. The central axis of the event are the three characteristics that make Macfrut a unique fair on the international scene due to its ability to unite business, knowledge and networking through a specific b2b platform.
Fruits and vegetables are the stars
The central axis is the fruit and vegetable sector, a strategic sector of the Italian agri-food industry. According to data from Ismea (Institute for Services to the Agricultural and Food Market), fruit and vegetable production in 2023 is estimated at around 24 million tons on an area of approximately 1.3 million hectares grown with fruits and vegetables, in which they operate around 300,000 companies.
The turnover in the agricultural phase exceeded 16 billion euros and the weight of the agricultural industry is also significant, exceeding the 10 billion euros. In 2023, revenues from export of fresh and preserved fruits and vegetables reached 11.6 billion euros, of which 5.7 billion came from fresh produce.
Macfrut, an increasingly international fair
This is the hallmark of this edition, as evidenced by the presence of More than a third of exhibitors come from abroad. He international focus will focus on the Arabian Peninsula: This is a project that began three years ago and will allow around a hundred buyers from this area to attend the fair, interested mainly in apples, kiwis and table grapes. Italian exports to this area have increased in four years from 73 million euros in 2020 to 114 million last year (+561 TP3T), according to data from the Ice Agency. The market included almost exclusively two areas: Saudi Arabia, with 76 million euros, and the United Arab Emirates, with 29 million.
Along with these buyers, Emirates Sky Cargo, which also arrives from the Arabian Peninsula, will be present at the show to provide logistical possibilities for businesses in that area. Silvia Tagliaferri, Cargo Manager, Emirates SkyCargo Italy: “Italian products are among the best in the world and, to enjoy them at their best, quality and freshness must be maintained even during transport, at every touch point. Leveraging our technology, which guarantees a constant controlled temperature, our facilities, equipment and highly qualified staff, Emirates SkyCargo is able to transport between 900 and 1,000 tonnes of perishable products every day. We are delighted to meet our customers and producers during Macfrut 2024, to show them how, thanks to our global expertise, they can grow their business and reach the more than 140 destinations in our global network, while preserving exceptional flavour and freshness.”
At the fair, a pavilion will be dedicated to African continent, which has been in the spotlight at Macfrut for many years. At the fair there will be 400 exhibitors from 24 African countries, mainly producers, but also importers of technologies and technical resources for agriculture. Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco, Namibia and Togo are taking part in the fair for the first time. Among the exhibitors occupying larger areas are Egypt, Algeria, South Africa, Nigeria, Mozambique and Mali with 37 companies.
The presence of South America is also important, with the participation of representatives from Chile, Panama, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Cuba and Argentina. In addition, the presence of 22 wholesalers will be notable. Spanish from the two largest markets in Europe (Madrid and Barcelona), who wish to meet, in particular, exporters of apples, kiwis and table grapes from Italy.
Among the new participants are found India, which is participating with around 50 major high-level buyers, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, Brazil and Argentina. 1,500 major buyers from around the world in the product, technology and supply chain categories.
In this path of internationalization of Macfrut, the almost fifty presentations worldwide (in person and via streaming) thanks to the fundamental support of Agenzia Ice. The collaboration of AICS (Italian Agency for Cooperation and Development) has also been fundamental, with 13 international delegations at the fair (Albania, Burkina Faso, Niger, Senegal, Mozambique, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, Vietnam, Palestine, El Salvador, Cuba and Colombia) out of a total of 19 that the agency has around the world.
Apulia, a leading region
The region that will be the main partner will be Puglia, known for its excellent fruit and vegetable production. The region will have a significant presence at the fair and will promote its agri-food products during the event through conferences, events and tastings, in order to present itself on the international scene.
The stars of the show will be certified fruit and vegetable products, first of all the PGI Table Grape, which accounts for 60% of the national production. Alongside this, there will also be the PGI Margherita White Onion, the PGI Gargano Orange, the PGI Altamura Lentils, the PGI Galatina New Potato, the PGI Brindisi Artichokes, and the PGI Bella della Daunia Olive.
Thematic exhibitions
This is one of the aspects that distinguishes Macfrut. The flagship product will be the Table Grape, the Made in Italy fruit and vegetable excellence that makes Italy the leader at European level with a production of 1 million tons. Table grapes will take centre stage in the Macfrut Table Grape Symposium, the global symposium that, over the three days of the fair, will bring together leading experts and major global players to analyze the research situation, market trends, production trends, product innovation and business strategies.
As for the exhibitions, there are two new features: Innovation Hub For Healthy Food, dedicated to sustainable products and processing technologies for the production of highly nutritious foods, and Agrivoltaic, which will present the opportunities offered by photovoltaic energy generation to complement agricultural production.
On the other hand, the Biosolutions International Event makes Macfrut, with its nearly sixty exhibitors, the most important event in Europe in terms of natural products for the protection, nutrition and biostimulation of plants. Continuing with innovation, the Plant Nursery area will be a space dedicated to the nursery sector, where the international symposium on rootstocks (IRS, International Rootstocks Symposium) will be held. Last but not least, the presence of Spices & Herbs Global Expo, the European exhibition dedicated to spices, aromatic and medicinal herbs; Red Planet on the tomato sector; and Acqua Campus on innovations and technologies for saving water.
The fair will feature a double field of tests on an area of approximately 3,000 square metres divided into two halls: one dedicated to fruit growing (Hall C1 – Agri Field Solution) and another to soilless crops, market and industrial horticulture, and mechanisation (Hall A1 – Machinery Solutions).
All salons are coordinated by a team of internationally renowned experts.
More information
Macfrut is organised by Cesena Fiera and will take place at the Rimini exhibition centre on 8, 9 and 10 May 2024, from 9.30 am to 6 pm.
www.macfrut.com
