SIVAL is over! The 38th edition ended on January 16th after three intense days of meetings, exchanges, and, above all, innovations for plant production. Innovation has been the DNA of the Anjou event since its inception. This year was a special edition, as SIVAL has a new president. Although the figures for the 2025 edition have not yet been released by the organizers, the event seems to have satisfied both exhibitors and visitors once again this year.
© FreshPlaza
"A very dynamic edition and a friendly atmosphere"
The 38th edition of SIVAL left a lasting impression. "The atmosphere was very lively and upbeat," according to one exhibitor. "We feel like we are slowly coming out of the crisis of recent years." This year's trade fairs in Angers appear to have been fruitful, even though they were mainly with established clients rather than prospects or new contacts. For some, attendance was not as high as expected, but many booths were always busy. "SIVAL remains a show that is appreciated by all, and where people feel good." In terms of innovation, SIVAL excelled once again this year. "We can see that visitors and exhibitors alike are delighted with the new prospects and innovations on display. Unlike other editions, however, we were surprised not to see many young up-and-coming farmers in the aisles."
SIVAL changes president
After 20 years as president of SIVAL, Bruno Dupont, a fruit grower, has passed the torch to Albert Richard, also an arboriculturist and president of Vergers d'Anjou. Bruno Dupont has chaired the National Federation of French Fruit Producers, both locally and nationally, as well as Interfel, the fresh fruit and vegetable trade association.
Right: Bruno Dupont / ©Régine Lemarchand
Bruno Dupont began his presidency of SIVAL in 2005 and has worked to ensure that SIVAL is a recognized event on the national stage by all professionals of the sector, as well as by the political authorities. Under his leadership, several French ministers have visited the event. On the international stage, Bruno Dupont has been one of the driving forces behind the development of SIVAL's international reach. In the coming years, he will continue to support the event on the international stage, in particular by continuing to set up international partnerships. For this 38th edition of SIVAL, Bruno Dupont has handed over the presidency of SIVAL to Albert Richard, arboriculturist and president of Vergers d'Anjou.
Albert Richard took over the family business, Vergers de Souzay, located just outside Angers in 1992 (the orchard consists of 30 hectares of apple trees and 3 hectares of cherry trees and employs 3 people). He followed in the footsteps of his father, who was involved in agricultural trade unionism, by taking on responsibilities in various fruit and vegetable production and processing structures and associations (Director of FELCOOP, Chairman of SICA Transfofruits, Director of ANPP, Director of CTIFL, Director of AFIDEM, Director of SAS Blue-Whale, Director of IDFEL, Chairman of JOYA Europe Team, Director of Pink Lady Europe). He has chaired the Les Vergers d'Anjou cooperative since 2017.
Left: Albert Richard / ©Régine Lemarchand
"A huge thank you to Bruno Dupont, who has succeeded in bringing together, inspiring, and developing SIVAL, while remaining true to the values of the sector and the men and women who make it up. SIVAL is much more than just a trade show. It is a crossroads of innovation, a meeting place where producers, researchers, and companies work together to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Producing, transmitting and anticipating are the major issues we have to face in a context of climate change, agro-ecological transitions and changes in our society," according to his LinkedIn page, where he also praises the exceptional work of the steering committee and the @destination-angers teams, who have succeeded in making SIVAL a key show in France and internationally." Albert Richard pledged to "continue this collective adventure and do everything possible to make SIVAL even more attractive, especially to the younger generation."
For more information:
Destination Angers
Parc des Expositions
Route de Paris
49044 Angers Cedex 01
Phone: +33 (0)2 41 93 40 40
sival-angers.com