"Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Sicily, Basilicata, Calabria, Piedmont, Puglia and Campania are the Italian regions that will take part in Macfrut. We hope some more will participate next year. The support of regions is essential for the growth of the event, and it's precisely how Madrid's Fruit Attraction was built in just 8 years," explained President Renzo Piraccini during the event held in Rome to present the fair.
Speaker's table
Cesare Bellò, representing Veneto, explained that, up until a few years ago, the need for an Italian fair dedicated entirely to the fresh produce sector wasn't so obvious.
Cesare Bellò
"Italy grows 18.7 million tons of produce and consumes 8.5 million tons of it. While it is true that consumption increased by 12.5% over the past 3 years, it is also true that it dropped between 2000 and 2013. 10 million tons are left for exports," explained Cso President Paolo Bruni.
Paolo Bruni
Emilia Romagna councillor for agriculture Simona Caselli mentioned that aggregation is at the base of export success and that there are 41 POs in Emilia Romagna. The collaboration between Macfrut and Cibus is positive for both visitors and buyers.
Simona Caselli
Macfrut covers over 55 thousand sq (+10% than 2017 and +100% in four years) with 8 halls, over 1100 exhibitors (25% of which from abroad, +40% in four years) and 1500 buyers from all over the world. It's the only international fair in the sector with representatives from all segments: seeds, nursery, field technology, technical means, production, trade and distribution, organic, machinery and post-harvest technology, packaging material, fresh-cut, logistics and services.
All the main sector organisations attend the fair, from ACI (Associazione delle Cooperative Italiane), Fruitimprese (Vice-president Giacomo Suglia attended the event), Italia Ortofrutta, Italmercati, Fedagro Mercati, Assosementi, Cso Italy, Assomela and Coldiretti to ANBI (Associazione delle Bonifiche Italiane).
The fresh produce sector has always been one of the most innovative for what concerns food and agriculture and Macfrut is the perfect place to showcase new products. Many new solutions will be presented, from genetics, pre and post-harvest technologies to the fresh-cut segment. But there will be more, as Italy is the global leader for mechanical technology. 15,000 sq m will be dedicated to pre-harvesting (Macfrut Field Solution).
The fair will also feature a 'dynamic' space - AcquaCampus - covering 500 sq m to showcase the latest irrigation systems presented by leading companies on a global level.
Over fifty events including conventions and company meetings have also been organised, such as the international convention on European peach and nectarine forecasts, the one on wholesale markets and European distribution and the meeting between Rewe and Coop Italia suppliers.
What is more, the Tropical Fruit Congress (May 10-11) is the first European summit dedicated to mangoes and avocados and will be attended by leading producers and importers.
This year, Colombia will be the partner country. With over 9 million tons, the country is a leading producer. It doesn't just grow bananas and pineapples as, thanks to its extraordinary biodiversity, it has a wide range of tropical fruit starting with avocados and mangoes. Colombia imports over 350,000 tons of produce but is also quite an important market. The sector is growing and technologies and packaging solutions are needed to increase standards and make export more competitive.
Veneto is the Partner region for 2018. Open fields cover 27,600 hectares with a value of around €615 million. A little less than a third of the crops are dedicated to the production of radicchio, product symbol of the 2018 edition. A few years ago, quality was low and radicchio wasn't held in much regard while it is now much appreciated by consumers. Orchards cover approximately 20 thousand hectares with a value nearing €300 million. The most popular fruits are apples, pears and kiwis.
For further information:
Cesena Fiera
Via Dismano 3845
47522 Cesena (FC) - Italy
Tel.: +39 0547 317435
Fax: +39 0547 318431
Email: info@macfrut.com
Web: www.macfrut.com