Fruit Attraction 2022 concluded its 14th edition on 6 October and was described by the participants as very positive. Over the three days, a total of 89,535 professionals from 137 countries attended the event, which was the largest in its history.
The fair, organized by IFEMA MADRID and FEPEX, with Andalusia as the guest region, registered participation of 1,740 exhibitors from 57 countries and more than 58,300 net square meters of stands spread over eight pavilions of the exhibition center. This represents an area growth of 42% compared to the 2021 edition and 4% compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. The figures have ratified Fruit Attraction as a key instrument for global fruit and vegetable marketing with the capacity to promote worldwide exports in the sector.
International participation has grown strongly, representing 35% of the surface area and with exhibitors from 57 countries. The European presence is noteworthy, with a significant occupation from Italy, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Belgium, in addition to the increase in participation from the Americas, from countries such as Ecuador, the United States, Chile and Colombia, and from Africa.
One of the aspects most highly valued by the attendees was the quality and professionalism of the international visitors from 137 countries, who represented 40% of the total number of attendees. Once again this year, the largest number of visitors came from Europe, especially from Italy, France, Portugal, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The biggest increase was in Latin America, where growth has been recorded in countries such as Peru, Chile, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, Argentina, and Costa Rica, among others.
Fruit Attraction has also provided participants with a platform for international promotion and expansion with the ‘International Guest Programme,’ financed by the fair, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and ICEX, which attracted 669 large buyers, retail purchasing managers, importers, and wholesalers from 65 countries to Madrid. In this context, the ‘Guest Importing Country Programme’ also stands out, this year counting on Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam.
Once again, Fresh Produce, the exhibition area for fruit and vegetable producers and traders, was the most represented segment, accounting for 72% of the offer. However, this year’s edition also saw a notable increase of 57% in the Fresh Food Logistics area, as well as in Smart Agro, with an increase of around 99%.
In the field of innovation, Fruit Attraction hosted a new edition of The Innovation Hub with the exhibition of a total of 46 products and services. Along the same lines, the Innovation Hub Prize was awarded to Surinver in the Fresh Produce category, Syngenta in the F&V Industry category, and Granada La Palma in the Sustainability and Commitment Actions category, each of which received 2,000 euros.
Organized by IFEMA MADRID and FEPEX, Fruit Attraction 2023 will be held from 3 to 5 October at the fairgrounds.