Fruit Attraction 2023 “biggest yet”

The 15th Anniversary of Fruit Attraction, which took place in Madrid earlier this month, drew the biggest number of visitors in its history, according to its organisers.

“In total, 103,868 professionals from 145 countries — eight more than last year — attended the event, 16 per cent more than last year’s edition,” Ifema Madrid and Fepex reported.

Exhibitor numbers were also up 10 per cent, with 2,000 companies from 56 countries covering an area of 64,000m² spread over nine halls.

“Fruit Attraction strengthened its claim as a major business centre for the national fruit and vegetable industry, which occupied 60 per cent of the exhibition space, and demonstrated the importance of overseas markets, given that two-thirds of national production is exported,” the organisers said.

The Fresh Produce Area, the exhibition stand space for fruit and vegetable producers and retailers, was once again the largest segment, representing 70 per cent of the fair, a 14 per cent increase compared to last year, along with the Related Industry Area at 25 per cent, which saw growth in two of its industries: Biotech Attraction, by 5 per cent, and Smart Agro, by 20 per cent. The Fresh Food Logistics Area also recorded an increase of more than 31 per cent, with 48 participating companies.

The international segment accounted for 40 per cent of occupancy, with 56 countries participating. On this occasion, 17 new markets joined the event, including Austria, Denmark, Cyprus and Bulgaria, thus reinforcing Europe’s strong presence.

The number of international visitors grew by over 26 per cent, representing 45 per cent of the total number of attendees. “Once again this year, the largest number of visitors came from Europe, especially from Italy, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, the UK and Germany,” the fair’s organisers said.

“Latin America was the region that recorded the greatest growth, from countries such as Chile, Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Argentina. South Africa, the US and Egypt, among others, also had a strong presence at the fair.”

Fruit Attraction also provided participants with a platform for international promotion and expansion with the ‘International Guest Programme’, financed by the fair, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Icex, which attracted 700 large buyers, retail purchasing managers, importers and wholesalers from 66 countries to Madrid. This platform also features the “Noted Importing Country” programme, which went to Brazil, the US and Canada this year.