Organisers say the trade fair expects to bring together more than 2,500 companies and 120,000 professionals this year
The organisers of Fruit Attraction, Ifema Madrid and Fepex say good progress is being made on this year’s show, which takes place from 30 September to 2 October. Now on its 17th edition, they said the fair is expected to grow across all parameters.
“Right now, three months before its launch, Fruit Attraction has confirmed the participation of 2,179 companies from 61 countries and an exhibition area of 73,655m2, which means an increase of 5 per cent over last year’s total,” they said.
At a meeting this week, Ifema and Fepex said they expected over 2,500 companies and 120,000 attendees from 150 countries at this year’s show, which is on course to cover a total of 75,000m2 spread across ten halls.
The organisers also confirmed that the tomato has been named this year’s star product. “It is the most consumed vegetable in the world and in Spain it represents 24 per cent of household consumption. Its cultivation is also of great importance in the national agricultural panorama, as it is present throughout the country, promoting agricultural employment and is highly export-oriented: 675,000 tonnes in 2024 worth €1.1bn,” they said.
The activities at the trade fair will be focused on three areas: what tomatoes represent in our food, what they represent socially and economically, and the geopolitical implications of the trade. There will be a demonstration of how they are grown, via a tomato grove, and an exhibition of innovative varieties, tasting sessions, show cooking, as well as various round tables on market dynamics, trends and geopolitical and regulatory issues in the tomato market, with special attention on the impact on EU production of the agreement between the EU and Morocco.
Malaysia and Mexico will be the main markets of the Guest Importing Countries initiative, while the fair’s Buyers Programme will invite more than 700 buyers from around the world with the collaboration of the Spanish Agriculture Ministry and trade promotion agency Icex.
Icex is also behind the World Fresh Forum, a series of webinars featuring experts and trade professionals focusing on Mexico, Malaysia and China, taking place on 15, 16 and 17 September.
In addition, Fruit Attraction said it will be presenting the Best Stand Awards, recognising exhibitors that stand out for their creativity, design and commitment to sustainability in its four categories: Most Original; Best Design; Most Sustainable and People’s Choice. Registration will be open until 15 September.
Other features of this year’s show are the Organic Hub Tour, a specially signposted route within the trade fair that will give greater visibility to organically certified products. Companies interested in taking part in the tour should fill in a short online form and attach the corresponding documentation before 30 July.
“The trade fair will once again become a knowledge centre in the different forums with a complete programme of technical conferences made up of sessions characterised by a wide variety of content, as well as the high level of the participants and speakers,” the organisers said.
The deadline for registration for both the forums and the Innovation Hub is 27 August.
