LUV 2026 positions Bari as global table grape hub

Bari is set to become the international capital of the table industry as the second edition of LUV prepares to open at the Nuova Fiera del Levante from 20-22 October, 2026. Spanning 15,000m², the event features 192 exhibitors from 19 countries and anticipates an influx of international buyers four times higher than its inaugural edition.

While Italy accounts for a major share of European production, concentrated primarily in Puglia (65 per cent) and Sicily (35 per cent), the sector faces intense structural hurdles. Producers are currently navigating mounting production costs, labour shortages, and the pressing challenge of translating high agronomic yields into sustainable economic returns. Recent industry surveys highlight a growing gap between productive output and overall grower satisfaction, making supply chain organisation and cost management vital to maintaining global competitiveness.

A core fixture of the three-day exhibition will be the Fruitnet Grape Congress, hosted directly within LUV. Designed to connect Italian production leadership with worldwide market trends, the congress will focus heavily on global research, post-harvest management, commercial dynamics, and strict retail standards demanded by northern European supermarkets.

Beyond European markets, which currently absorb roughly 90 per cent of Italian table grape exports, led by Germany, France, and Poland, LUV 2026 is driving a strong push toward global market expansion. The event features targeted delegations from emerging and key international regions, including Chile, Japan, China, India, Thailand, and the Arabian Peninsula. Notably, a dedicated Thai delegation will visit the fair to advance discussions on opening export channels for Italian table grapes.

Combining high-level B2B networking, commercial discussions, and technical insights on varietal innovation and precision viticulture, LUV 2026 aims to serve as an essential crossroad for Mediterranean production and global trade.