Fruit Attraction celebrates its 15th anniversary in style from 3 to 5 October. The fair, organised by IFEMA MADRID and FEPEX and with Andalusia as the Guest Region,records the largest participation in its history with 2,000 exhibiting companies from 56 countries, more than 64,000 square metres of floor space, and an expected attendance of 90,000 professionals from 135 countries.
In total, for the first time there will be 9 halls –1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10– at the Madrid fairground that will house the wide range of fruit and vegetable products on offer at this edition, which means an increase in both occupancy and participation of more than 10% compared to last year’s edition. In this way, Fruit Attraction 2023, which incorporates the participation of 316 new companies, will turn the city into the world epicentre for the commercialisation of fresh produce.
These highly positive figures demonstrate the fruit and vegetable sector’s growing interest in participating in the sector’s largest business centre, as well as its support for promoting Fruit Attraction as a fundamental lever for internationalisation and a meeting point for all professionals along the entire supply chain.
On this occasion, the Fresh Produce Area represents almost 70% of the fair and registers a 14% increase regarding the previous year, as well as the Related Industry Area, which accounts for 25%, with growth in two of its sectors: Biotech Attraction, by 5%, and Smart Agro, by 20%. The Fresh Food Logistics Area also recorded an increase of more than 31%, with the participation of 48 companies.
National participation accounts for 60% of the fair. The immense influence of Spain as a world leader in the fruit and vegetable market will be reflected by the presence of almost all the autonomous communities producing fruit and vegetables in the country, cementing Fruit Attraction as an effective tool for generating business opportunities and for accessing new international markets, precisely in a key month for planning campaigns.
The international segment accounts for 40% of occupancy, with 56 countriesparticipating. On this occasion, 17 new markets have been added, such as Austria, Denmark, Cyprus and Bulgaria, reinforcing the strong European presence.
One of the main objectives of Fruit Attraction is to offer a platform for international expansion and promotion. In this sense, IFEMA MADRID, with the collaboration of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and ICEX, is once again activating the International Buyers Programme, which will attract over 700 buyers from 70 countries, retail purchasing managers, importers and wholesalers to Madrid, bringing a special dynamism to the fair’s operations.
An addition to this is the Noted Importing Country, with Brazil, Canada and the United States as the starring players of this edition. Fruit Attraction therefore will open up and promote trade relations with these markets, backed up by a full programme of round tables, guided tours of the fair and B2B sessions.
Fruit Attraction 2023 proposes a full programme of activities. On the one hand, the Forums will host a total of 75 presentations distributed in six areas. The Fruit Forum will host the 7th Grape Attraction Congress, the Biotech Attraction Conference and the Biofruit Congress, and the various Fruit Next Forums will host exhibitor presentations. The fair will also host the Biotech Forum and the III Fresh Food Logistic The Summit -organised by Alimarket-.
On the other hand, lettuce will be the star product this year, with Lettuce Attraction gathering various initiatives, with the collaboration of Proexport, around one of the most widely consumed vegetables in the world.
On the other hand, The Innovation Hub -at the nexus of halls 8 and 10-, with 54 products, will be the area dedicated to innovation and business innovations in the sector. In this area, the fair will once again host the Innovation Hub Awards, which have become a fundamental event for supporting the entrepreneurial commitment of the sector with its usual categories: Fresh Produce; F&V Industry, and Sustainability and Commitment Actions.
As usual, Factoria Chef will once again represent the gastronomic space within Fruit Attraction with attractive demonstrations and showcookings.
In addition, the 13th APAE and Fruit Attraction Journalism Awards will be presented, dedicated to international media of recognised prestige in the fruit and vegetable sector.
Fruit Attraction 2023 will once again have the backing of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at its opening ceremony, which will once again be presided over by Minister Luis Planas.
The fair, organised by IFEMA MADRID and FEPEX, will be held at the exhibition centre from Tuesday, 3 to Thursday, 5 October, from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and until 5 p.m. on the last day.
Fonte: Fruit Attraction
