Fruit Attraction 2022 opens with record numbers

Representatives from Saudi Arabia and the UAE will join a record 1,800 exhibiting companies from 55 countries and over 90,000 fruit and vegetable professionals at the 14th edition of the Madrid Fruit Show.

This year’s most important international event for the industry, organized by Ifema Madrid and Fepex, will begin on October 4th.

More than 58,000 square metres of exhibition space was used in the eight halls of the Ifema Madrid exhibition centre, which represented a 38% year-on-year increase in occupancy, while exceeding pre-pandemic figures in 2019. This increase was also due to new companies, which accounted for more than 19% of total participation.

positive numbers

María José Sánchez, Director of Fruit Attraction, said: “These very positive figures show that the fruit and vegetable industry is increasingly interested in participating in the industry’s largest commercial centres, as well as its support for Fruit Attraction as a fundamental lever for internationalisation and in the entire supply chain. A meeting point for all professionals.”

One of Fruit Attraction’s main goals is to provide a platform for international expansion and promotion. In this sense, Ifema Madrid, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and ICEX, has once again made a major investment in an international guest programme that will attract 700 buyers, retail purchasing managers, importers and wholesalers from 70 countries Businessmen came to Madrid and brought a unique vitality to the operation of the exhibition.

The programme is joined by “guest importing countries” represented by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and Canada to open up markets and facilitate trade relations with these markets, backed by a full roundtable, exhibition tour and B2B programme .

55 countries

With exhibiting companies from 55 countries participating this year, Fruit Attraction is confirmed as the premier trade event for global production, marketing and distribution, with exhibitors from the MENA region, Europe and the United States in attendance.

Fresh produce was the most in-demand area on the show floor, followed by ancillary industries. Fresh cold chain logistics, transportation and management platform Fresh logistics has been added to the exhibition products.

Following the great success, Fruit Attraction will showcase transformational solutions through innovation, sustainability and digitalisation, showcasing verticals including Smart Agro, Biotech Attraction and Ecomarkets, as well as the entire space for organic product marketing and export. Strawberry will be the star of the Fresh & Star district.

Innovation Center

Meanwhile, the Innovation Center will showcase nearly 50 products dedicated to innovation and business innovation in the field. In this area, the show will host the Innovation Hub Awards, which have become the foundation for supporting the entrepreneurial commitment of the industry, with the usual categories including: Fresh Produce, F&V Industry, and Sustainability and Commitment Action.

Fruit Attraction will also host the Knowledge Hub, a series of sessions covering thought leaders within the market.

Fruit Attraction will also host other events such as the 3rd Fresh Food Logistics Summit, Biofruit Congress and Biotech Attraction 2022: Biotechnology and Innovation for Future Agriculture, 6th Grape Attraction Congress and more.

Food space

The Factoria Chef section represents the culinary space within Fruit Attraction and will include engaging demonstrations and cooking performances.

Fruit Attraction 2022 will again be supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at the opening ceremony, which will be chaired by Minister Luis Planas. — arab trade news agency